Grafham Water hosted the first event of this year’s Typhoon sponsored Fireball Super Series over the weekend of 20-21 April.

For some, this was the first time they had sailed since the recent world championship in Florida and an unlucky few were unable to compete due to their boats being in a container stuck at Felixstowe docks. Despite this, 38 boats were able to enjoy the warm weekend weather.

Unfortunately, although the warm weather made time on the shore pleasant it was far from perfect for sailing with winds varying from 5 to 15 knots, not just over the course of the weekend but often over the same leg of a race.

This, coupled with 40 degree windshifts and the added effects of the Flying Fifteens sharing the same course, made conditions incredibly tricky.

In such difficult conditions, the race team did an excellent job in setting the courses and were able to complete all six of the scheduled races.

To give a commentary of each race would be a difficult and lengthy task as the racing resembled snakes and ladders. There were six different race winners and those who did best over the weekend were those who fell foul of the shortest snakes rather than those that found the longest ladders.

Special mention must go to class newcomers, former Cadet sailors Matt and Ben Summers who sailed well all weekend to finish a very creditable ninth overall.

Thanks must go to Typhoon for kindly donating prizes, including dry tops and wetsuits, which were raffled to ensure that those that won the race prizes did not walk away with all the goodies.

Overall Results

1st 14708, Chips Howarth and Vyv Townend (Hayling Island SC) 11 pts

2nd 14766, Dave Wade and Richard G Wagstaff (Northampton SC) 20 pts

3rd 14625, Andy Foskett and Howard Jones (Staunton Harold SC) 21 pts

4th 14314, John Curzon and Pete Elver (Staunton Harold SC) 22 pts

5th 14771, Graham Newton and Mark Stevens (Staunton Harold SC) 23 pts

6th 14785, Angus Hemmings and Steve Chesney (Stokes Bay SC) 29 pts