So Ed, who is our secret weapon or will it all be unveiled at the first championship event and poor screamer, who can be shout at now!!! Are there any more on order that we don't know about?

Romance in the air: Andrew and Irene wedding bells set for June (good on ye mate). Shergar is finally doing a steady stint with a certain woman from Shilleagh (bowler hat territory). And a certain little rumour is circulating about Niamh and another ex-fireballer !!! Its good to see all the pre-season manoeuvres and tactics being played out before the serious business of sailing begins.

Best wishes and congrats to Norbert and Cliona on their new life in the U.S.A, and new arrival, Cian and of course Owen sinnott is never far behind. Congratulations to Conor and Sharon at long last. Hope this won't interfere with the show schedule.

Hello to Donal and Suzen down under from all the Fireballers in Ireland!

We have all heard of gold / silver fleet training but the way the baby boom is within the fleet we'll be soon be organising "Baby Fireballer classics" and it has to be given by Franco with the high kiddie tolerance and just maybe he'll get a grá for it before his big trip.

To my predictions for 2001 season. The main contenders are:

• Treads
• Mick and Cool Joe
• Louis and Francis
• Gilbert and Ken
• Conor and Daragh

I'll leave you with this thought: The art of racing is not in the winning, but in winning so that the rest of the fleet are pleased, and the only way they can be pleased if you have shown better helmsmanship than them and shown perfect showmanship also.

Ian O'Gorman