A total of 14 Fireflies gathered at the Welsh Harp on April 14 for the inappropriately named Autumn Trophy Open Meeting. This was one of the first events since the Harp was refilled and benefited from the absence of the weed which has caused some difficulties in recent years. However, a light shifty breeze blowing across the lake from the north-west shore provided sufficiently challenging conditions for the race officer and competitors alike.

In the first race, Barney and Nina Smith established an early lead which soon became unassailable and finished comfortably ahead of Ian Sanderson and Louise Neckar, with Nigel Wakefield and Rachel Crebbin third.

The second race was a closer battle between the same three boats, with Sanderson/Neckar eventually winning from Smith/Smith and Wakefield/Crebbin. The third race would thus be decisive, and in a freshening wind Wakefield/Crebbin came through to win, securing third place overall. Sanderson/Neckar were second and Smith/Smith third, leaving them tied overall on points. The computer invoked rule A8.3 to break the tie in favour or Sanderson/Neckar. Simon Gillow and Tracey Hill had finished consistently just outside the top three, and were rewarded with fourth place overall.

Overall Results

1st 3690, Ian Sanderson and Louise Neckar Royal Lymington YC (3pts)

2nd 3133, Barney and Nina Smith Rickmansworth (3pts )

3rd 3674, Nigel Wakefield and Rachel Crebbin Spinnaker Club (4pts)

4th 3546, Simon Gillow and Tracey Hill Wembley (8 pts)

5th 3328, Martin English and Caren Garlick Wembley SC (9pts)

6th 3548, David Evans and Murat Erbug Wembley (12pts)