| News Archive |
Irish Fireball Association |
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Irish Fireballers celebrate.
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The 2011 season's prizegiving took place last Friday night in Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club. |
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UK Nationals - Top 10!
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From the UK Nationals.........and a 56-boat fleet! |
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Close of play, Day 2 (of 3) at the Nationals
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Contrasting weather & contrasting fortunes. |
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National Championships - RRS 42 Relaxation
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Fireball International have grated a relaxation of Rule 42 for the upcoming Nationals. This gives the RO the possibility of displaying Flag 'O' when the wind speed is above 12 knots thereby allowing unlimited pumping. Follow the links below for the wording.....
Click here for the request
Click here for FIs response |
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Preview - Fireball Ulsters.
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2nd regatta in four weeks since Worlds in Sligo sees the fleet go north to Belfast Lough! |
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Gluttons for punishment?
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After two weeks of racing in Sligo, a smaller than usual group of Irish Fireballers sign up for another ten races in Dun laoghaire as part of the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta. |
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Omitted reports from Fireball Worlds.
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Day 4 & 5 reports from Worlds in Sligo. These reports were omitted from the website.........in the interests of continuity and completeness! |
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Sponsors provide draw prizes!
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In addition to their title sponsorship of the regatta, Dubarry provided draw prizes throughout the two weeks. Additionally, North sails (Tim Rush) and Tissot Watches were able to hand out exceptional prizes. |
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Perseverance doesn't pay!
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Lack of wind leads to 3.5 hour drift! Regatta no further forward! |
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Day 2 - Sun gives way to grey and light breeze!
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Today's racing ends prematurely due to lack of wind after our first rain of the regatta. For some however, today's efforts will only conclude tomorrow. |
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Day 1 of the Worlds!
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LIghts winds signal change for Sligo venue! |
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Photos from Sligo!
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Just to give you a flavour! |
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Fireball take on the Atlantic proper.
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We sail outside the lighthouse - a hard day at the office! |
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Day 2 in Sligo - Great winds, not as much sun!
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Another two races sailed in great Fireball conditions! |
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International Week Day 1
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Champagne conditions for opening Day of Fireball's International Week in Sligo. |
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Tim Rush rises to the challenge!
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Big winds didn't deter Tim Rush! |
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Silver Fleet Training
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Silver Fleet get headstart on the rest of the fleet!
Neil Colin & Margaret Casey work their pupils hard! |
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New boats, new combinations and a new season!
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Countdown to Sligo! |
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Fireball Ireland Training for 2011
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Fireball Ireland's plan for 2011 is to have an intensive training programme in the first half of the season, building on the two external and two internal training sessions held in 2010.
By using external trainers, we keep abreast of the class developments and techniques at International level, while at local level we pass on the knowledge and experience acquired by the fleet leaders. Follow the link for more information.
Click here for the training program |
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ISA's Conference and Awards Dinner.
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The ISA's 2-day conference graces Dun Laoghaire this year with the Royal Marine Hotel as the venue! |
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Irish Times - 21st Jan 2011 - From David O'Brien
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NOEL BUTLER intends to continue his winning run in the Fireball class this season but after taking three provincials and the national title in 2010, this year is not looking so easy. The fixtures will be peppered with international talent as the class gathers in Sligo for its World Championships in June.
Butler, a former Laser II world champion, will face a strong British fleet that took seven of the top 10 places at the last World Championships in Barbados. Regardless, Butler is confident Ireland can post some good results in this high performance dinghy class. |
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Condolences!
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Deaths in two Fireball families. |
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Fireball Europeans in Czech Republic.
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Irish get inside the top twenty - British combinations win all the races. |
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Discounted fares to cross the Irish Sea.
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Stena Lines offer discounted ferry fares for crossing the Irish Sea for Fireball events.  |
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Training Sessions.
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Double session of training upcoming.
As announced at our recent sailing events, the Fireball Fleet are bringing Adam Bowers back once again to do some more training. This year Adam is available on the Friday prior to the Leinsters Event in Howth to do on-the-water training. For the Saturday and Sunday he will take video footage of the racing and have a clinic on both evenings.
Hopefully people will be able to avail of the Friday session (probably starting lunch time - depending on numbers) - there will be a charge of approx €20 per boat.
Everyone entering the event should hopefully gain from the video footage and clinic on the Saturday and Sunday and hopefully people will stay around for a social evening on the Saturday!!
(Sat & Sun training costs will be covered by the Fireball Fleet). |
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Regatta planning 2011
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With a Worlds in Sligo next year.......... we need to be thinking about the 2011 regatta calendar. |
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Regatta report - Ulsters in Strangford Lough!.
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Traditional northern hospitality was strongly in evidence when the Irish Fireball fleet made their debut appearance at Strangford Lough’s East Down Yacht Club.
Situated a short distance round the coastline from Killyleagh, EDYC played host to 16 Fireballs, a similar number of Wayfarers, sailing their National Championships, and a group of Drascombe Luggers who were having a cruise in company.
Click here for the results |
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Worlds Photo.
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The Irish Fireball Team at the Barbados Worlds consisted of six boats but three other boats were packed into the Irish container - two boats from the Shetland Islands and a UK Fireball purchased by South Africans Anthony & Diane Parker. Diane broke her arm in practice for the event and was replaced at the regatta by Dave Laing.
One of the corporate sponsors of the regatta was Digicel, the largest mobile phone operator in the Caribbean. They are part of the Communicorp Group who are domiciled here in Ireland under the Chairmanship of Denis O'Brien.
This photograph was taken on the last morning of the Worlds on the beach, in front of the Barbados Yacht Club on Carlisle Bay, Bridgetown. |
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Another successful Silver Fleet Training.
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Positive feedback from combined classroom and practice sessions! |
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Photographs of the Barbados Worlds
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For those of you at the Worlds Tom Gruitt has put his photographs up on www.fotoboat.com. |
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Chips Howarth and Vyv Townsend dominate the 2010 Worlds
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Chips Howarth and Vyv Townend have dominated the 2010 Worlds in Barbados with 6 race wins and two 3rds under their belts. This currently gives them a16 pt advantage over Matt Burge & Richard Wagstaff who have a five pt advantage over Matt Findlay & Richard Anderton. Fourth is Dave Edwards & Simon Potts with the first non UK boat, the Aussies Ben Schulz & Phillip Bowley in 5th overall. |
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A Postcard from Frank Miller at the Barbados Worlds
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Greetings from Barbados; it’s pretty rough out here…….well, only kidding. We’re having a great event, though the sailing is genuinely tough and challenging – guess that’s exactly what one should expect from world championships. I can only offer a personal view, from the perspective of 49th place currently in a 70 boat fleet but here goes........follow Read More...... |
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DBSC Line Duty Roster and Meeting Times
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Follow the Read More link for this year's roster.... |
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Training Sessions 2010
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Organised training plans for 2010 season.
Adam Bowers - Olympic Sailing Coach
Click on read more to see full article..... |
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Frostbites 2009/10 - A summary!
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Another successful Frostbite Series! |
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Irish Fireballers come out of semi-hibernation!
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Barbados beckons with a supper evening to wish the departing Fireballers well!
Click on 'Read more'..... |
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End of Season Dinner!
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Prizes and Awards for 2009 season handed over to recipients!  |
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Chairman's Report
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Follow the link below for Cormac's report presented at the AGM this year in Dunmore East.
Click here for the report |
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Munster Championship Report
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Fickle winds, black flags, strong tides and superb hospitality!
Another combination take a domestic title!
Click here for the results |
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Regatta season draws to a close!
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Munsters Championships draws the regatta season to a close. |
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La Rochelle and all that: a rear view
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The afternoon was a sweaty 34 C as we drove into town. A modernistic marina with upwards of 3000 cruisers awaited us at the end of a circuitous route designed to keep through traffic away from the picturesque Vieux Port.
Actually a better name for that area would perhaps be Jackpot, Goldmine or ‘Viva gastronomy Las Vegas’ . A place crammed with passers by and eateries of every kind at the foot of the original old town. At night it was pedestrianised to increase the overload.
Louis |
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Fireball Worlds & Europeans 2009 - Report
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The Fireball European Championships and World Championships concluded last Saturday in the beautiful town of La Rochelle. Seven Irish boats competed in both events over two weeks.
Click on 'Read More' for full report including pics.... |
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More shots from Fireball Europeans & Worlds - La Rochelle August 2009
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Click on 'read more' to view...... |
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2010 Regatta Location Discussion
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The link below shows a summary of past years' regatta locations. In light of the Worlds in Sligo in 2011 your Committee are looking for your views on possible locations preceding this. Have a look at the attached document and add your thoughts!
Click here for the document |
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Fireball National Championships 2009 - Report
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Fireballs on Clew Bay at the Nationals - Ob2 Photography
Mayo Sailing Club hosted a brilliant National Fireball Championships last weekend. Twenty eight boats entered the event and raced around Clew Bay in cracking conditions. Click on 'read more' for full report... Photos courtesy of Ob2 Photography. |
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Fireball Open Championships 2009 - Report
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This year’s Irish Fireball Association Open Championship was held last weekend in conjunction with the biennial Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta. The regatta had an overall entry of 450 boats, 24 of which were Fireballs. Select 'read more' for full report....
Full results are available on the regatta website www.dlregatta.org. |
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2011 Fireball Worlds awarded to Ireland
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It was announced by the Irish Fireball Class Association last weekend that Ireland is to host the Fireball World Championships in 2011. The venue will be Sligo Yacht Club and the event will run for two weeks, to include an international week and a Worlds week. If you haven't been to an event like this before, now is your chance. Entry is open to all Fireballers who are paid-up members of national class associations that are affiliated to Fireball International. Click on 'read more' to view the official press release, and start spreading the news... |
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Leinster Championships 2009 Report
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Skerries Sailing Club was the venue for this year’s Irish Fireball Association Leinster Championship. 28 boats raced this event with helms and crews tested by a range of conditions over the two days. A breezy north-westerly on Saturday produced gusts in the high twenties, while Sunday produced light airs combined with a strong ebb tide.
Click here for the full results |
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Ulster Championship Results
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This year’s Fireball Ulster Championship was held on Lough Neagh. A fleet of 17 boats travelled to the two-day event hosted by Lough Neagh Sailing Club. The quality of organisation and the level of hospitality offered by the club was very impressive. Unfortunately, strong and gusty southerly winds prevented racing from taking place on the Saturday. After an afternoon of leisure, fireballers enjoyed a fine buffet dinner served at the clubhouse. A live band entertained the fleet into the small hours.
The weather allowed for racing to go ahead on the Sunday but conditions were challenging. OD John Murtagh ran three quick races on an olympic course with a fast turn around in between. The first and second races saw over 18 knots of breeze and a chop on the lake. Gusts of around 25 knots were experienced by the fleet as rain squalls crossed the course.
Marguerite O'Rourke
Click here for the full results |
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Peter Milne Memorial Regatta
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Vintage Fireballs contest a regatta held in honour of the designer of the Fireball. |
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Bower's Training weekend success!
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Adam Bower's Training weekend a great success, with wind and sunshine! |
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Sad Loss!
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Richard Estaugh has passed away. |
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Results for John Biggs Memorial Race
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Follow the link below for the results of the 'windy' Memorial Race last week. Many thanks to all who organised it.....
Click Here for the full results |
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New fleet divisions for 2009 Season.
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Gold 2 fleet dropped for 2009. |
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John Biggs - RIP
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Over very many years this man possibly ran more club races for Fireballs all year round that anyone in the world. Here's a photo of him in action as we will all remember him on a day in Dublin Bay when the Fireball fleet were on line duty. John Biggs RIP.
Noel Butler
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Travellers' Trophy Winners and Class Awards Recipients.
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Competition winners and contributors to the fleet recognised. |
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O'Leary dynasty dominate All-Ireland Sailing Championships.
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O'Leary 1-2-3 at ISA's All-Ireland Sailing Championships. |
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Munster Championship Report
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Simon McGrotty and Doire Shields won the 2008 Fireball Munsters over 20 / 21 September at Lough Derg Yacht Club. For the third time this year, Fireballs were cheated a day's racing because of light airs, sailing all four races on Saturday.
Accounts of Saturday's racing were positive from any competitors spoken to by your correspondent, sunshine, scenery and swift races in Force 1 - 3 are hard to fault.
Click Here for the full results |
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AGM News.
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Outgoing committee remains intact with an injection of youth! |
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Gear Guide UK Fireball Nationals.
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Review the top ten preferences for gear at the UK Fireball Nationals. |
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Open Championship Report and Results
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Simon McGrotty & Mark Boylan of Skerries won the season's fourth Fireball championship in Wicklow in the last weekend of August. The 27 boat fleet completed four races in gushing tides and flicking force one to three winds.
Follow the link below for the results. The updated Travellers Trophy results can also be found on the Events page.
Click here for the full results
Conor Byrne |
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Photographic website.
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Wesport photos website now accessible. |
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Fireball National Championships 2008, Mayo Sailing Club, 25th, 26th, 27th July.
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UK helms dominated the 29 boat Irish Fireball National Championships at Mayo Sailing Club, Rosmoney, over the ‘Reek Weekend’. Tom Gillard, crewed by Frances Rowan showed impressive form by winning the final three races and the event in taxing conditions, with a 6 point lead over Andy Pearse and Hugh Butler.
Click here for the full results
Conor Byrne |
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Ulster Championship Report - CLYC Killowen
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Noel Butler (DMYC) & Seamus Moore (SSC) won the Fireball Northerns at scenic Carlingford Lough Yacht Club. Winds ranged from 'a lot' to 'not a lot' and from varying degrees of directions based around South-west. The championship was won on countback from Conor Clancy (RSTGYC) & Francis Rowan (NYC), who lost the lead to a powerful Butler / Moore on the last reach, and were then pipped by Kenny Rumball & Dave Moran (RSTGYC) on the line.
1st Noel Butler & Seamus Moore (DMYC & SSC), 13 points
2nd Conor Clancy & Francis Rowan (RSTGYC & NYC), 13 points
3rd Damien Bracken & Bria O'Hara (CYBC), 15 points
Click Here for the full results
Conor Byrne |
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Leinster Championship Report & Results - Mullingar Sailing Club
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The Fireball season started off in fine form in Mullingar Sailing Club this weekend. This season opened with a supreme performance by “Splash and Dash”, the boat owned by Francis Rowan and helmed this weekend by Andy Pearse from the UK.
Follow the links below for a scanned copy of the results.
The Results
The Discards
Seamus Moore |
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ISA - Fireball Silver Fleet Training 2008 - Report
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The Fireball silver fleet training took place in Mullingar sailing club on the 26th & 27th April 2008. A group of 20 eager sailors took part, each with their own aims for the weekend. The weekend was organised with precision by Derval and Siobhan and the training was given by Noel Butler with his team of volunteer helpers (Andy Boyle, Margaret Casey, Mick Creighton, Neil Colin, Ed Butler and Cariosa Power, )
Brenda O’Connell |
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Invitation from Fireball France to 'Notre Dame de Monts'
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Guys,
I just go this NOR from Fireball France to a Fireball event in Notre Dame de Monts in August. Sounds like a party! Follow the links below for details....
Here's the NOR |
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Awards Evening Success!!
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Awards evening primer for forthcoming season. |
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Fireball World Championships 2008 - Report from Thailand!
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Matt Mee and Richard Wagstaff (UK) have won the 2008 Fireball World Championships at the Royal Veruna Yacht Club, Pattaya, Thailand. The ten race series was sailed in perfect conditions - twelve to eighteen knots of breeze with challenging waves at times. Best of the Irish were Noel Butler/Seamus Moore in 15th place overall. The duo showed excellent consistency and were always near the front, with upwind speed better thann downwind where they found it hard to hold off the cream of the opposition. Seven Irish teams participated in the ten race series but suffered setbacks ranging from black flags, breakages and minor injuries. All however regarded the event as a fantastic learning experience in absolutely ideal sailing conditions. |
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RNIYC Ulsters Report, Results and Final (Provisional) 2007 Travellers Results
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This weekend marked the close of the Fireball season with the fleet travelling up north for the annual Ulster Championships. This year the event was hosted by the RNIYC, who put on a fantastic event for the boats who travelled north. The increasing standard of Fireball racing in Ireland is now attracting boats from Scotland, the Shetland Islands and England. In the end it was a fantastic performance by Conor Clancy and Francis Rowan who took the title from their rivals Noel Butler and Seamus Moore.
Seamus Moore
Click here for the Ulster Championship results
And here for the 2007 Provisional Travellers results |
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Fireball Worlds 2007
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Two top twenty finishes for Irish Fleet at 2007 Worlds. |
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Richard Estaugh wins 2007 Fireball World Championship
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In a nail-biting final race started just five minutes before the cut-off of 3pm Saturday Richard Estaugh and Rob Gardner GBR won the race and the overall championships to add the Fireball to his list of World Championships achievements. The final race was sailed in a light a extremely variable breeze, Estaugh was lying in second place for the first beat and zig-zag run of the race with DJ Edwards and Simon Potts leading but Estaugh got through and held his position to win the race and the championships. There was a painful game of snakes and ladders for the rest of the fleet. Vince Horey, the overnight leader found himself mid-pack and never recovered but took 2nd place overall. Ireland's Kenny Rumball/David Moran had a good first beat lying about 7th but was overtaken on the run as wind filled from behind. Noel and Seamus had a difficult start and were mid fleet for much of the race but made a huge recovery on the last beat to take 7th position. Noel and Seamus were best of the Irish in 17th position but were very unfortunate when a 4th place finish in an earlier race turned to an OCS - they would have certainly finished well within the top ten if the 4th had held. Kenny and David finished 18th overall and showed many flashes of brilliance during what was an extremely frustrating and unusual event, they showed the entire fleet, and not just the Irish, that they would be a major force in the future.
Frank Miller |
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REPORT FROM FIREBALL PRE-WORLDS REGATTA ON LAKE GARDA
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GBR sailors Matt Mee & Richard Wagstaff have won the Fireball pre-worlds regatta at Riva del Garda in Italy after five races. Racing was abandoned today Tuesday after the fleet remained ashore for over two hours in conditions of little or no wind with steady rain. Second was DJ Edwards (GBR) and third was Chips Howarth in a feet dominated by the Brits who took the top ten places. Young contenders Kenneth Rumball and David Moran, who held 8th place after day one, were best of the Irish in 11th place overall. Next were Noel Butler & Seamus Moore in 18th, Conor Byrne in 22nd, Brian Flahive in 23rd, Niall & Simon McGrotty in 24th, Andy Boyle & Teddy in 28th, with other Irish Frank Miller & Cillian Magee, Louis Smyth & Francis Rown, Conor O’Toole & Doire , and Marguerite O’Rourke and Dara McDonagh in the 30’s and below.
Frank Miller |
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RPS National Fireball Championship Report
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The Royal Cork YC was the venue for this year’s RPS sponsored Fireball National championship, over the past weekend. A considerably strong fleet gathered, with visitors from the UK travelling to compete against the best Ireland had to offer. Amongst the pre regatta favourites were the teams of Clancy/Rowan, following their impressive victory at the Dun Laoghaire regatta, Butler/Moore who had won two of the three ranking events this year, and Bracken/O’Hara who had shown impressive form in the three previous events. The Fireball has seen a resurgence in the younger realms with teams such as Boyle/Byrne and O’Toole/McNally also hoping to impress. Travelling from the UK were teams like the World and European Champions of Andy Smith and James Cooper and Dave Wade and Ben Dunton. These were joined on the journey westward by the legendary Richard Estaugh and Andy Thompson, and John Curzon and Peter Elver
Click here for the National Championship results |
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Fireball Munster Championship Report from WHSC
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Following a week of gale force winds and torrential rain, sun greeted the Fireball fleet on the opening day of the Munster championship which was held at Waterford Harbour Sailing Club. It was like a return to a second home for the Fireball fleet, as the chairman of the Irish Fireball Association Cormac Bradley quoted during the closing speeches in Dunmore East. WHSC is a club which prides itself on excellent race management and a warm friendly welcome. It was for this reason the Fireball fleet came back for the second time in as many years.
Click here for the full results
Seamus Moore on behalf of the Irish Fireball Association |
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Merrion Investment Properties Fireball Leinster Championship Report
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Strong winds in the region of 30 knots greeted the Fireball fleet for its opening event of the 2007 season, the Merrion Investment Properties Fireball Leinster Championship. Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club hosted the class for the weekend in what was to be a very hospitable, masterfully run event. Saturday’s sailing and tidal window of opportunity was closed at 2pm as the winds failed to ease and the fleet were sent to the bar to watch the FA cup final, followed by an excellent night of entertainment, comprising of a barbeque and live band.
Click here for the Results
Seamus Moore |
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Message from the Sponsors.
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Sponsor secured for Leinster Championships at Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club. |
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ISA - Silver & Gold 2 Fleet Coaching at UL Killaloe
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The Fireball coaching weekend at UL Activity Centre in Killaloe over the weekend was a very enjoyable and successful weekend for all concerned. Michael Murphy our coach set the tone for the weekend weeks in advance by asking all involved to have boats well prepared and have as much on the water time as possible. This certainly concentrated everyone on what was in prospect for the weekend. |
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Regatta Venues!
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2008 beckons! (Already!!!!) |
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ISA - Adam Bowers Training Weekend at the DMYC - Report
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Adam Bowers, a former winning crew of the Fireball World Championships, an Olympic campaigner in the FD Class, a former sail-maker and boat builder and now an internationally recognised coach on the Olympic circuit with a reputation as one of the leading coaches in the UK, revisited the Irish Fireball fleet over the weekend of April 14/15 to help us to develop our downwind sailing skills.
The coaching weekend was made possible by the generous funding of the Irish Sailing Association (ISA) under the management of Racing Manager, Mr. Sean Craig.
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Upcoming Fireball Silver / Gold 2 Fleet Coaching in Killaloe
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Our next event is the Silver/Gold2 Fireball coaching weekend in UL Activity Centre, Killaloe next weekend, 28th/29th April. Its an opportunity for local and traveling Fireballers to focus over a weekend on improving their sailing technique and boat handling skills. The weekend will involve onshore instruction and practical exercises on the water. The numbers have been limited to 10 boats which gives the coach more time on coaching individual crews. |
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Intercollegiate Fireball Championships report & results
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Dublin City University won possibly their first ever title in college sailing last weekend, as a new format of event was staged last weekend in Dublin Bay, with 9 borrowed Fireballs and crew, and 9 invited helms from third level institutes from across the country; Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin IT, Waterford IT, University of Limerick, NUI Galway, University College Cork and University College Dublin
Click here for the full results |
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Frostbites Report
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Sunday 25th March saw the end of the winter series of racing for the fireball fleet in Ireland. The DMYC hosted its 40th frostbite series from the first week in November to the last weekend of March. This year saw a record entry of Fireballs with 39 racing over the winter. Conditions over the winter were varied, between windy, very windy and extremely windy. Of the 19 races scheduled, 8 were cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. |
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Inter-collegiate Invitational Fireball Championships - April 21st
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This is a one-day event, with the top level of fleet racing competition from Ireland's third-level sailing clubs, each of which nominates 1 helm to represent, in Fireball dinghies.
4 races are planned on Dublin Bay, allowing for one discard. Boats are kindly being provided by private Fireball owners, with a crew / owner's rep aboard, and are of a high spec with many previous championship-winning boats competing. Helms will swap boats after each race, to give a fair chance for all to experience different crews and boats.
Click Read More for more details.... |
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Dun Laoghaire Regatta Launch.
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Dun Laoghaire regatta committee launch the 2007 event at RDS Simmonscourt Boat Show, Friday 16th. |
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ISA International Fireball Coaching Course with Adam Bowers - April 14th & 15th
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We have organised another major Fireball training session with Adam Bowers for the weekend (all day Saturday and most of Sunday) of April 14th & 15th. Downwind technique will be among the themes of the weekend. The venue is the DMYC but because of the Dun Laoghaire lift-in people will need to launch from the Coal Harbour, at least on the Saturday.
Click 'read more' below for further details..... |
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New Fleet Division Proposal for 2007 Season!
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The Committee have been looking at ways to divide up the fleets more evenly for the coming season. The following three links propose a rules change for discussion and some examples of how it might work on some of last year's results. Would all Fireballers please have a look to see if they think it is a good idea and what if anything could be done to improve it. Or indeed if there are any other suggestions please let us know.
Please email one of the Committee or use the Views button below to comment. We would also like initial comments to be made by February 23rd so that we can finalise the arrangements well in advance of the season.
Note the changes only propose where the lines are to be drawn in the fleets NOT how the scoring will operate. This will remain unchanged.
Proposed Rules
Proposed Rules applied to last year's Munsters
Proposed Rules applied to last year's Travellers results |
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A BIG THANK YOU!!
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FIREBALLERS CELEBRATE END OF SEASON AT ROYAL ST. GEORGE YACHT CLUB. |
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New Crew Listing Pages on the Website
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Check out the new crew search forum on the website. Offer your services or check the list of crews / helms offering theirs.....
Note this is a trial as requested at a recent committee meeting and any feedback and suggestions for improvement would be very welcome!
Click "Crew Wanted" on the left menu item or follow this link......
Crew / Helm Listings |
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Another Good Turnout at the DMYC Frostbites
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The second race of the 2006 Frostbite Series saw 23 Fireballs take to the waters inside Dun Laoghaire harbour in a fleet that included Lasers, Enterprises, a GP 14, IDRAs, Fevas, Vagos, Laser 2000s, and Laser IIs. |
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Frostbite Series underway!
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A healthy entry of 39 boats in the overall series translated to 24 boats on the water yesterday, 5th November, for the first race in the 2006 Frostbite Series. |
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Fireball Munster Championship - Report
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A record fleet of 41 boats turned out for the final Irish Fireball championship of the season hosted by University of Limerick Sailing club in Killaloe. The event was a perfect end to an active summer season for the ever popular Fireball fleet. Debuts where made for two of the newest boats in the fleet. Andy Boyle and Brian Byrne debuted 14936 while Skerries father and son team of Simon and Niall McGrotty showed off 14938. Both teams demonstrating good potential over the weekend. |
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Preamble to the 2006 AGM!
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This weekend sees the last regatta of the regular season, the Munsters, being sailed at Killaloe under the burgee of the University of Limerick Staff Sailing Club. Additionally, the Class AGM will be held on the Saturday evening before the regatta dinner.
The AGM provides an opportunity for the membership of the Class to review the season and to make recommendations for the future administration of the Class to the incoming committee. There is also the important requirement of electing a new committee to administer the affairs of the Class. Remember, that the onus is on you to elect a committee and to give them a mandate to act on your behalf. |
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All Members - Please review the 2005 AGM Minutes before Killaloe!
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Follow the link to last year's AGM minutes. Please review before the 2006 AGM in Killaloe this month.
Click here for the minutes |
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Fireball European Champs
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26 fireball sailors made the journey to Brittainy, France to the beautiful venue of Perros Guirec.
With hot late August sunshine welcoming the very competitive entry from 9 countries including one boat from Canada it was never going to be easy. |
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Fireball Nationals
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The Irish Fireball National Championships was hosted over the weekend by Tralee Bay Sailing Club at Fenit, in the kingdom of Kerry. The club celebrating its 50th anniversary welcomed back the Fireball class having previously hosted the Fireball Worlds in 1970. On the entrance to Fenit harbour the status of St Brendan, the founder of the new world pointed westward to the Atlantic and the adventures it holds. The 9 race 3 days series was to finish with 4 boats vying for the Irish title going into the final race.
Click Read More below for some more pics and more will be available on www.fotoboat.com later in the week.
Click here for the results
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Fireball Nationals come to Tralee Bay Sailing Club.
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The next instalment of Tralee Bay Sailing Club’s 50th anniversary year sees the Club host the Fireball Nationals over the weekend of 11/12/13 August 2006.
In recent seasons the Fireball Class has enjoyed phenomenal growth with fleets in excess of thirty boats contesting a calendar that includes four provincial regattas and a National Championship at a variety of venues across the country. Traditionally the largest fleet gathers at the Nationals held over three days to facilitate the running of a nine-race series. |
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Fireball Nationals, Tralee Bay Sailing Club, Fenit.
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The documentation for the Fireball Nationals is now posted on the Class Website and if you have the time to download and read it you will find one significant change from recent Nationals and a modification of an instruction in accordance with Silver Fleet representations. |
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Fireball Nationals - SIs, Notice of Race, Entry Form and Accommodation
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Follow these links for the Notice of Race and entry form for the Irish National Championships hosted by Tralee Bay Sailing Club.
Notice of Race
Entry Form
Sailing Instructions
Accommodation can be found by following the "Read more" button below........ |
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Blustery Fireball Open Championships - Skerries Sailing Club 8/9th July
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Despite a busy July schedule with the Round-Ireland race starting the previous Saturday and the prospect of potential participation in Cork Week absorbing more time, a fleet of thirty boats ultimately made it to Skerries for the third of the provincial events on the Fireball calendar, the “Open Championship”.
Results
Click "Read more" below for the full report! |
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Ulster Championships
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Newtownards SC was the most welcoming of hosts for the Fireball fleet for the Ulster Championships.
Click here for the results
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Moser Brothers Win 2006 Fireball World Championships
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Swiss team Eric and Rudi Moser finally clinched a world title at CFSA Esquimalt, Victoria, Vancouver, Canada on Friday when the final two races of a total of eight were sailed in the Fireball World Championships. Second were Canadian team of Grant Lamont and Tom Egli and third were Aussie husband and wife team Heather MacFarlane and Chris Payne. The brothers scores included two firsts, a second, third and fourth. Their worst score which counted was an eighth, giving them an impressive twelve point lead over the second placed Canadians. The brothers showed remarkable consistency in very difficult light wind conditions, frequently in a strong and varied tide over the course. The victory was particularly sweet for the Swiss pair who have several times been runners-up in the Fireball Worlds. |
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FIREBALL NORTH AMERICAN OPEN INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
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The French team of Franck Juin and Jean Francois Nouel (aka Cantana) have won the Fireball North American Open Championship in Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada. The 39 boat fleet had to sit ashore today (Friday) on the final day of the event before the race officer finally blew the signal for abandonment due to no useful wind setting in over the course. Second in the event were the sole Aussie team of Heather MacFarlane and Chris Payne and third were UK husband and wife team Penny and Ian Gibbs. Mention must be made of the brothers Erich and Rudi Moser who missed out on the first day spent fitting out a friend’s mast. The pair scored three firsts, a third and an eight in the races they sailed but the lack of a second discard possibly cost them the series. |
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Fireball Leinster Championship 2006
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The National Yacht Club was the venue for the opening of the Fireball season at the weekend. The club which was recently refurbished hosted the 36 strong fleet for the Leinster Championships 2006.
The weekend promised much from the fleet. Could Noel Butler with new teammate Seamus Moore, who recently claimed the DMYC Frostbite title, hold onto the title he clinched in 2005. Or would it be the turn of Neil Spain with Andy Davitt, his 420 crew with whom he has won many 420 National titles in the past. Other contenders were Damian Bracken and Brian O'Hara, Stephen Campion and Leo Bishop, Mick Creighton and Steve Oram and the many other newly formed teams.
Click Read More below for the full article......
and here for the results |
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Travellers Trophy Proposal for 2006
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In anticipation of a competitive 2006 season and in response to the AGM the Travellers Rules have been ammended. Follow the link and have a look at the proposal. If you believe it to be erroneous at all of have any suggestions then feel free to leave a comment, email the mailing list, or indeed talk to a committee member - it's not cast in stone ......... yet!
Click here for the Travellers 2006 proposal |
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Further Info on Adam Bowers Training Session - March 25th/26th NYC
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The countdown is on to first major training session of the season with Adam Bowers at the National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire March 25th/26th . Bowers is regarded as one of the top Fireball/470 coaches in the UK and regularly runs extremely popular training sessions with the UK Fireball Association. In Adam’s sessions he likes to simulate normal race conditions with his training.... read on and click here for the training program
Training Program |
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March 25th/26th Adam Bowers coaching session Dun Laoghaire – open to all
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We have organised a major Fireball training session with Adam Bowers for the weekend (all day Saturday and most of Sunday) of March 25th/26th . The venue will almost certainly be the National Yacht Club but this will be confirmed in the next few days. Adam Bowers is regarded as one of the top Fireball/470 coaches in the UK and regularly runs extremely popular training sessions with the UK Fireball Association. In Adam’s sessions he likes to simulate normal race conditions with his training – this has two consequences for us, both of them positive.
1. He is happy to run sessions with people at different ability levels, as this is what we all encounter on the racecourse.
2. He is happy to work with larger numbers than most trainers, for the same reason.
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April 1st/2nd Will Moody coaching session in Killaloe for Silver/Gold 2 level
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Coaching course geared to the silver/gold2 fleet being run by Will at Killaloe on the weekend of April 1st/2nd. There is a huge amount to be gained by smaller courses focussed on boats of similar ability. Anyone who has attended or heard about one of Will’s coaching sessions knows how much can be learned by tight training sessions with intensive coaching and smaller numbers. Remember the courses are not mutually exclusive – you can do both ! The bottom line is you can’t have too much training !! Get your bookings in now, and remember, no cheque, no booking.. The fee for the Killaloe course is 50 euros, same booking terms and conditions as the Bowers course. Please contact Jim Ryan ULSC by email - Jim.Ryan@ul.ie |
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AGM & FIREBALL DINNER
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AGM MINUTES - As per the discussion at the AGM, the Minutes of the Dunmore East meeting were considered by the new committee and posted on the website after corrections/amendments. Thus far, they have only garnered one (favourable) comment. Therefore, in terms of the Dunmore East discussion, these minutes are taken as read (for the website posting). I am not suggesting that any future debate is barred, but in terms of what was proposed, this is the next step.
FIREBALL DINNER - Just short of seventy people attended the Class Dinner, hosted by the Royal St. George Yacht Club and organised by DL CLass Captain Joe O'Reilly and his team. Regrettably, I was unable to attend due to a prior commitment (a wedding for which I had a year's notice), but the reports suggest that the evening was very enjoyable. Brian MacManus (Vice Commodore) represented "The George" as our guest and Matt Summers was a second guest of the Class. Matt, with his helm Euan Sellars is based in Aberdeen, but contested the Leinsters (Mullingar), the Ulsters (Lough Erne) and the Nationals (Wicklow) in 2005. As a gesture of gratitude for their commitment to the Irish Fireball fleet, we invited Matt and Euan to the Class Dinner but Euan was unable to attend. |
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AGM Minutes & Fireball Dinner
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AGM - As promised in Dunmore East, the Minutes of the AGM were posted on the Class Website relatively quickly after the first committee meeting of the new "team". In the absence of any criticisms/corrections to the Minutes from the membership, and in view of the one favourable comment posted on the website, the committee would like to advise that the Minutes as published on the Website are taken as read. There may be those who will challenge their validity when we sit down to the next AGM but we have completed our undertaking and have acted as agreed at the AGM.
Fireball Dinner - The Class Dinner was held in the Royal St. George Yacht Club on Saturday 19th November and just short of seventy (70) people were in attendance - regrettably I was not one of them. By all accounts it was a good evening and I commend Joe O'Reilly (Dun Laoghaire Class Captain) and those who assisted him in putting together the event. Matt Summers was the Class' invited guest, in recognition of the effort that he and Euan Sellars made to get to the Irish Fireball regattas of 2005 (Euan was not able to attend). Brian MacManus represented Royal St George Yacht Club. To all those who played an official part in the proceedings - my thanks! However, my thanks are also due to those who attended and made the evening what it was!!
The occasion saw the presentation of a number of Class awards, the details of which are listed below;
Captain's Prize - Awarded by Joe O'Reilly - Stephen Oram for services to the Class as Class Chairman for the past 3 years.
Asterix Trophy - Contribution to Fireballing - Michael Murphy (WHSC/14750).
India Trophy - Most Improved Fireballer(s) - Brian Nolan & Tim Leonard (Clontarf).
Lady Helm - As determined by Traveller's Trophy Series - Cally Donaghy (11th Overall).
The Traveller's Series Results were also confirmed;
Gold.
1st Justin Maguire & Francis Rowa
2nd Noel & Hugh Butler
3rd Will Moody & Milan Kolacech
Gold 2.
1st Brian Nolan & Tim Leonard
2nd Damien McCullagh & Mike Murphy
3rd John Walsh & Naimh O'Rourke
Silver.
1st Derval O'Carroll & Siobhan Hayes
2nd Glen Fisher & Susie Mulligan
3rd Kevin Foley & Paul Flannery.
Joe O'Reilly reports that despite a late night there was still a healthy turnout for the Frostbites in Dun Laoghaire the following day!
On a planning note, please be advised that the Race Officer for the Nationals in Tralee in August 2006 has been confirmed. Ken Atkinson from N.Ireland has accepted our invitation to run the races and will be ably assisted by his wife Mary and additional volunteers from Tralee (to be negotiated).
Note also that Brian Nolan has been elected the Fireball Class Captain in Clontarf and automatically joins the National committee.
And finally.......... CONGRATULATIONS to Pat Leane and his wife Aishling on the birth of David on November 10th. (They also made the Class Dinner!!) |
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2005 AGM Minutes
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To all members of the Fleet - please follow the link below and read this year's AGM minutes. If you have any comments let us know for next year's season..
Click here for the minutes |
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Fireball World Championships - Victoria BC, Canada 2006
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Sat May 13th - Friday May 19th - North American Open Champs
Sat May 20th - Friday May 26th - World Champs
· Two places remaining in Irish container for Canada
· The 2006 Worlds are being held in one of the World's most beautiful locations, Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada.
· Superb sailing area with good wind patterns, light current
· Event based in Canadian Forces Sailing Association facilities
· Temperate climate with expected air temperatures in the 60's
· Snow-topped mountains in the background, skiing often still possible in May
· Containers parked adjacent to clubhouse for duration of event
· International flights through Vancouver or Seattle (USA), then ferry or flight to Victoria
· Wide range of local accommodation to suit all pockets
· Very cheap car-hire available locally
· Club-house will have full meal and beverage service
· Victoria a lively city with good night-life
· Website www.fbworlds2006.org
Contact Frank Miller (frankmillertimes@aol.com), Louis Smyth (rls@indigo.ie) or Seamus Moore (seamus_moore@hp.com) for more details |
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Regular season closes.
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The season closing Munsters in Dunmore East was a successful close to the regular season and saw challenging racing in light conditions. "Full-on" trapezing was at a premium for some of the larger crews but at the end of the day, the overall results had a familiar ring to them. To the 1-2-3 in each of the divisions, Gold, Gold 2 and silver, congratulations on your results. |
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Fireball Munster Championships
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Waterford Harbour SC held the final round of the Irish Fireball Championships series 17th-18th September.
Thirty five boats entered the fray With entries as far a field as killaloe, Skerries, Dublin and Cork. |
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All New Travellers Trophy Proposal
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With the AGM coming up we have a proposal for a new method of calculating the Travellers Trophy results. Follow the link below to see the proposal. I would ask everybody to review this before the AGM! I would suggest that comments could be added directly using the comments button below this news item. That way they are all in the one place! Alternatively, the email option is of course open to all. Feel free to make your own proposals here too!
Click here to review the proposal |
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Minutes of 2004 AGM for Review!
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To all members of the Fleet - please follow the link below and read last year's AGM minutes before the upcoming 2005 AGM in Dunmore East. We can speed up the AGM in this area if everybody has reviewed them already!
Click here for the minutes |
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IRISH FIREBALLS AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN TEIGNMOUTH, DEVON, ENGLAND
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Thirteen Irish boats are amongst the hundred and seventy six fireballs are in Teignmouth, Devon for the Fireball World Championships
Click here for the results
  
Pictures courtesy of Bob Hobby |
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Check out the European and Worlds Results!
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Will Moody takes 15th position in the Fireball European Championships!!
Click here for the results |
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Fireball National Championships
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22nd-24th July saw the Irish Fireball Championships held at Wicklow SC. Another large turnout made for the start line of the first race against Wicklow’s infamous monster tide.
Click here for the results |
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Galway Bay Fireball Open Championships
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Yet another huge Irish Fireball fleet turnout at Galway Bay SC for the Open Championships showing once again that it is the only dinghy fleet which is continually growing and getting large numbers to all its events.
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Fireball training with Ian Barker
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The Irish Fireball class held a superb training weekend June11-12th from the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire. With crews travelling from as far as Waterford to get the most from Ian Barker the 2000 olympic silver medallist in 49ers and present coach to many of the UK’s Olympic hopefuls.
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THE LONG, SHORT, FAT & THIN OF IT!
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The 2004 UK Nationals at Porthpean not only had the highest number of entries for a few years but also had a greater number of female sailors competing (33 in total).
There was also an increase in larger helm/smaller crew combinations.
For the Fireball class, this is a great credit. It shows just how flexible the boat has become and makes it a viable option against the ‘modern’ boats, RS200 and the like. |
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Fireball Ulster and Celtic Championships
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Lough Erne Yacht Club held the Fireball Ulster and Celtic Championships over the 21st-22nd May.
This inaugural event was dogged by seriously confused winds torrential rain and warm sunshine.
Click here for the results |
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Leinster Fireball Championships at Mullingar over 23rd-24th April
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Mullingar SC held the Leinster Fireball Championships over 23rd-24th April. 37 fireballs sailed in an incredibly hard fought out regatta. The fleet included three ex-world champions and twelve ex-national champions from various fleets and boats from Galway, Killaloe, Cork, Waterford and Dublin.
The Irish fleet has built up such a reputation for its events being well attended and great fun that Euan Sellar and Matt Summers drove from Aberdeen to join the fun. They stormed into an early lead followed closely by New pairing Marty Moloney and Will Moody.
Click the Read More button below for more details....... |
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