Firefly National Championship 2023 at Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club - Overall

Firefly Nationals 2023 at Felixstowe © NFA

Student National Champions, Will Pank and Steve Carver - Firefly Nationals 2023 at Felixstowe © NFA

2023 is sure to go down as one of THE classic Ferry Firefly Nationals... Big winds, huge waves, great racing throughout the fleet, massive fun for all involved both on and off the water!

A much depleted fleet took to the water after the drama of racing on Thursday and a big night in the bar for the massive Firefly Fancy Dress Party - That's saying something when we average £2k a night!

The winds were still on the spicier side but easing off throughout the day with some challenging shifts. This played into the hands of Steve Greaves and Amy Morris (the only Morris *not* to make the Runners and Riders showed her boys how it's done!) in F1867 'Cumulus', being pathfinder they knew they were lifted at the end of the gate so opted to carry on out right looking for a shift back.

When the shift did come it was a positive one, and with the tide effect Steve and Amy were able to retain a reasonable lead at the windward mark. They were followed around by their former team racing teammates from Rickmansworth "back in the day", Will Mason (sailing with daughter Zoe in F0000 'Atalanta') and Alex Davey (Sailing with Cam Bowden in F2649 'Mustard') - excited shouts of "Ricky B 1,2,3!" were exchanged between the three.

Steve and Amy dug deep and made use of their experience in the shifty to sail an absolute blinder and cross the line first. They were followed by their Royal Lymington clubmates Jamie and Ben McEwen in F3615 'Skirmish', confirming a second overall. Alex and Dom held on to third. Having already done enough to comfortably sew up the Championship, the boys from UEA nursed venerable old lady 'Alarm' home in fourth.

In the spirit of the class everyone worked together to get camps packed up, boats on trailers and the boat park neat and tidy while we waited for the final results to be toted up by Jim and his brain's trust.

After pushing for an early prize-giving Will and Steve still managed to be late due to having to help pack up the massive Pank family tent - which isn't a euphemism, Jono and Will actually brought a small canvas bungalow!

All tents finally in bags prize-giving could begin.

Outgoing Chairman Ben Green opened the prize-giving with thanks to everyone who'd made the Championship happen, in particular the wonderfully welcoming team from our hosts Felixstowe Ferry and Nationals organisers Jim and Callum. The Mayor of Felixstowe returned to present the trophies and a huge stack of prizes thanks to our generous sponsors Billie Box, Craftinsure, Dartmouth English Gin, Hyde Sails and Kingfisher Yacht Ropes.

Overall Results:

1st Will Pank and Steve Carver Norfolk Broads YC / UEA F999 'Alarm'
2nd Jamie and Ben McEwen Royal Lymington YC F3615 'Skirmish'
3rd Jono Pank and Emily Batterton Imperial Poona F1954 'Pogie'
4th Nigel Wakefield and Emily Saunderson F3007 'TipTopToo'
5th Steve Tylecoate and Alice Lucy Rutland SC F564 'Ebay Flyer'
6th Angus Cook and Lucie Hopkins F3695 'Officer Dibble'

Top Student - Will Pank and Steve Carver UEA F999 'Alarm'
Top institution Boat - Roscoe Martin and Simon Buckley Lancaster University
Deben Ladies Plate (Top Women helm) - Izzy Johnson and Jenny Johnson, Chipstead SC F4234 'Vader'
Hyde Best Improver / Coupe Fairey - Jamie and Ben McEwen (14 places)
Restronguet Ovaloid (Top Youth)- Robbie Hudson and Finian Morris
The Ultimate - Alex Davey and Cam Bowden Royal Harwich YC F2649 'Mustard'
The Youth Ultimate - Jamie Tylecoate and Harry Burge Rutland SC F3764 '8'
Tollycobbold Cup (top club) - Royal Lymington YC
Best University (winner of the socials) - Plymouth University