Seven teams of Fireflies enjoyed some relaxed three-boat team racing at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club on Good Friday for the traditional Easter Egg chocolate prizes.

Racing took place over a three-hour period in Pylewell Lake in light and variable winds. A shortened round robin was run as the strong Easter tides made it essential to get back to the club by 1.30pm, leaving the afternoon free for final preparations for the Royal Lymington’s Easter Regatta.

Racing was run round a square course without umpires, but the friendly nature of the Firefly Class meant no protests were necessary.

Lym Spin, a combined team from the Royal Lymington and Spinnaker Club at Ringwood came out on top, beating The Select Committee, formed from Firefly Class Committee members, on countback. Royal Lymington’s team was third.

Hamble River Sailing Club sent two teams including such notable sailors as Ian Southworth and Mason Woodworth, but they struggled to find consistency in the light winds.

London University’s 1st team practising for the British Universities Team Racing Championship next week found life tough sailing against the more experienced team races, and the team from Rickmansworth fought hard but were unfortunate to be on the wrong side of several close finishes.

Overall Results

1st Lym Spin – Pete Barton and Gill Barron, Amy Smith and Anna Willard, David Ellis and Sally Wilson,

2nd The Select Committee – Sue Winter and Jane Collyer, Mark Tait and Jonquil Brooks, Barney Smith and Mike Dunbar,