Twenty five Fireflies gathered at Hamble River Sailing Club over the weekend of the 27-28 July to contest the penultimate warm up open meeting prior to this year’s national championship, also to be held at Hamble during the week 24-31 August. The National Firefly Associations Youth and Junior Championships were also incorporated in the weekend’s events. Eleven boats from the host club took part in the racing, including all seven of Hamble’s sponsored set of Blue, Yellow and Pink Rondar Fireflies, each sailed by youth crews.

Competitors took part in a six race series held in light winds over the nationals race track at the mouth of Southampton water. Four teams won races over the weekend with Ian Sanderson and Linda Eadie (Royal Lymington) gaining the most consistent scoreline. Last year’s national champion Jono Pank was off form and Sanderson and Eadies closest competition came from Shaun Barber and Lucy Armstrong/Lucie Buck in their new Rondar boat.

Eleven boats competed for the Class Youth and Junior Championships with Tim Paull and James Fryatt (HRSC) taking the National Under 21 title, and the Clay brothers from Spinnaker with their respective crews the under 18 and under 16 titles.

A total of 50 to 60 boats are expected for this year’s national championship including many older members of the Firefly fleet bringing their boats out of retirement to compete, in addition to a large contingent of young newcomers. With a combination of Hamble River SC’s great organisation and enthusiasm and the Firefly fleet’s recent rise in activity inspired by the Rondar glassfibre boat, those entered are looking forward to an excellent week’s sailing and onshore entertainment.

Overall Results

1st Waynetta, Ian Sanderson and Linda Eadie, Royal Lymington YC, 5 pts

2nd Ma’ Hon, Shaun Barber and Lucy Armstrong/Lucie Buck, Hamble River SC,10 pts

3rd Fourwood Thinking, Barney Smith and Jess Brown, Rickmansworth SC,12 pts

Firefly Class Youth National Champions (under 21) – Proctor Masts Cup

Tim Paull and James Fryatt, HRSC

1st Under 18s

Richard Clay and Felix Newton-Smith, Spinnaker Club

1st Under 16s

James Clay and James Anderson, Spinnaker Club

1st Under 16 Crew

Pippa Wilkinson, HRSC