Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

Loughborough's Ben Tylecoate and Alice Lucy win free entry to the Firefly Nationals

by Fi Edwards 15 Nov 2023 19:23 GMT 11-12 November 2023
BUSA Fleet Championships at Helensburgh © Dougie Bell

The National Firefly Class have awarded Ben Tylecoate and Alice Lucy representing Loughborough University Sailing and Windsurfing Club free entry to the 2024 Firefly Nationals due to take place at Restronguet SC between the 27th of July and the 2nd August 2024.

The pair claimed victory in the 35-strong Firefly class at this year's BUSA Fleet Championships, which took place this weekend in Helensburgh with a near perfect scoreline earning themselves the coveted "golden ticket", awarded by the class to the winning Firefly at the Fleets. Ben's brother Jamie and crew Jamie Elder from Exeter University Sailing Club were second on countback from defending Firefly National Champion Steve Carver and crew Chloe Harding from University of East Anglia Sailing Club. The top four boats included a wooden boat, two Rondars and the new Ovington demo boat; a really encouraging sign for the class which continues to go from strength to strength.

Ben said "We went from no wind on Saturday to 25 knots on Sunday which tested our skills, but great boat speed thanks to Alice's hiking and skills in the front allowed us to stay in clean air and keep it simple... Until the final race where I had to beat my brother and Steve to win. It was tight racing with close covering from start to finish and a few lead changes but on the final upwind we led round and carried the lead to the finish. Very excited for our Nationals entry and sailing in sunny Cornwall!"

Alice said "We had a great weekend in Helensburgh. With the race abandoned on Saturday we were ready for a big day on Sunday, which delivered with four close races - time in the boat definitely paid off for the top boats. Although, the best part of the weekend had to be the Ceilidh and live band, which gave everyone the opportunity to show off their best dance moves - maybe some people should just stick to sailing!"

Home of many of the greats of Firefly sailing, this year's Nationals venue, Restronguet SC, is the unofficial spiritual home of the Firefly class. With easy launching, handy camping, wall to wall sunshine and (most importantly for a class that parties as hard as it sails) a cheap bar the club forms a perfect backdrop for the Firefly Championships. Entry is due to open in the next few weeks and early indications are strong that this will be the biggest Nationals in a decade. Initial onsite camping sold out in 48 seconds and the class are working with Restronguet SC and Coastland to accommodate up to an additional sixty boats to cope with demand.

Despite approaching 80 the Firefly continues to attract a young and vibrant crowd. Over half the entrants to 2023's sold out Championships at Felixstowe Ferry were students and around two thirds were 16-35. Teams from more than ten UK universities have already committed to this year's Championships with more expected to join them.

Students and recent graduates looking for logistics support or charter boats should get in touch with the Association via its social media channels.

Related Articles

RYA/UKTRA National Team Racing Championship
Team from the Royal Thames YC wins the Prince Philip Trophy A team from the Royal Thames Yacht Club has won the Prince Philip Trophy after claiming victory at the 2025 RYA/UKTRA National Team Racing Championship. Hosted for the first time in the event's history by Oxford Sailing Club. Posted on 28 Mar
Fabulous Fireflys
79th Tideway supported Nationals already fully booked The season has already begun with a fabulous outing to Grafham Water for the Ovington Inlands for round one of the Craftinsure supported Vines traveller series. Next up we head to Parkstone Yacht Club over the Easter weekend. Posted on 27 Mar
Ovington Inland Championships at Grafham
110 sailors spread across 83 boats and 6 classes attended It was great to see over 110 sailors spread across 83 boats and six classes for the Ovington Inland championship. This regatta has become a season opener for our classes over the years and whilst the sun was out, the temperatures stayed down. Posted on 20 Mar
Fireflys during the Ovington Inlands at Grafham
Sam and Benjamin Pascoe win in a new Ovington boat With the 505 still in the container coming home from Australia, I needed a boat to sail for the Ovington Inlands. Jono Pank very kindly offered the new Ovington class demo Firefly. I have to admit it is not my normal style / speed of boat. Posted on 19 Mar
2025 Schools Sailing Championships update
Magic Marine sponsor the prestigious event at Itchenor Sailing Club The prestigious Magic Marine National Schools Sailing Championships will be hosted by the historic Itchenor Sailing Club in June 2025, continuing a proud tradition that dates back to 1953. Posted on 9 Mar
The Imperial Icicle 2025 Team Racing at Queen Mary
20 different teams from across the country, including two teams from Dublin With twenty different teams from across the country, including two teams from Dublin, filling Travelodge's, Airbnb's and friend's floors on the Friday night, it was set to be the largest competition in the club's history. Posted on 27 Feb
WLYC 24 Hour Race wins RYA Event of the Year
And Sets Sights on 75 Entries for 2025 The WLYC 24 Hour Race has won the prestigious 'Event of the Year' Award at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, a fantastic recognition of the collaboration between competing clubs, and the dedication and passion of the volunteers. Posted on 24 Feb
Entries Open for the 79th Firefly Nationals
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Jurassic Coast Get ready, sailors! The 79th National Firefly Championships is coming to Lyme Regis from 16th to 22nd August, and entries are now officially open. Posted on 31 Jan
Panks sail to Bloody Mary glory
Using their light-airs skills to edge their Firefly to victory Jono and Freddie Pank used their light-airs skills to edge their Firefly to victory at last Saturday's GJW Direct 49th Bloody Mary. This is the most famous pursuit race in the UK dinghy racing scene. Posted on 14 Jan
GJW Direct Bloody Mary 2025
Very light winds and sunshine for the 99 boats at Queen Mary Sailing Club Firefly sailors Jono Pank and son Freddie won the GJW Direct Bloody Mary pursuit race, the sixth leg of the Selden Sailjuice Series, held at Queen Mary Sailing Club on Saturday 11th January 2025. Posted on 11 Jan