A stunning final day, but no lack of drama as Gillard and Anderton win

It is amazing how many really good adjectives, not to mention superlatives all start with an F. Most of these also work well either before or after the word Fireball. It is quite likely that the events of today out in Tremadog Bay will have created some new words, for this was a day that will go down in the history of the Class as 'that day at Pwllheli'.

To recap on the situation; Birrell and Brearey topped the leader board, though this would change IF the 9th Race was run (as this would bring the second discard into play and IF Tom Gillard and Richard Anderton finished both races ahead of their rivals. The joker in the pack was the weather, as from the outset it was always going to be not only breezy, but bouncy. The shallow waters of the bay had been subjected to three consecutive days of brisk south westerlies and the fairest comment would be to say that as soon as you cleared the breakwater that lined the harbour, the waves were immediately apparent. The only question was if any racing would be possible and if so, one race or two.

Even as the fleet left the beach it was clear that some boats were turning straight back, having decided that discretion was the better part of valour (or a broken boat). But what, or rather, who, was this still on the beach long after the rest had departed. It was none other than Championship contenders Gillard and Anderton, who were up merde creek and without a jib halyard. On closer inspection, it was clear that the halyard had jumped the sheave and was hopelessly snagged. For a few desperate moments it looked as if a cruel twist of fate would decide the Championships, for with his Race 1 BFD, there was no slack in the system for Gillard if he were to miss either of the races. However, another 'F' adjective is friendly, as those on the beach turned to with assistance. A spare sheave was found and used to replace the damaged item, with Gillard and Anderton then dashing from beach to the start area. In the end they had more time than they thought as the Fireballs showed how the 'love the sound of a recall in the morning'!

At the second attempt they were away and it didn't take long to see Peters and Sterritt, having started in their usual spot just up from the pin, were in clear air and flying. However, at the top of the beat it was Edwards and Townend who held a narrow margin that was about to get a good deal bigger. As crews reached the windward mark, they had the 100 m beam reach to the spreader, but this far up the course the waves could be unforgiving. With Fynn Sterritt still in beating mode on the wire, a wave caught them and for a moment it looked as if the pair were going to capsize in front of the whole fleet. Sometimes luck is on your side, that and a last ditch effort to save the situation saw them lose just two places. Gillard was there on hand, as were the Australians, all set off down the run together. You didn't need wind instruments to know that it was getting windier, as it was still cloudy with occasional sunny spells. When the sun shone things looked dramatic, with the waters of the bay flecked with white; when the sun went behind the clouds everything went grey and the race course was starting to look ugly. A rudder went, then a mast. For some, it was time to go home! Peters and Sterritt had clearly learnt their lesson, as not only had they regained the lost ground but would be able to squeeze inside of Edwards as they rounded the top mark for the second time. Gillard and the other two boats would hang in there, with the first 4 boats finishing within 40 seconds; Peters, Gillard, Edwards and Birrell. Not so happy would be the Australian duo of Schultz and Sheppard, who mistook the set up for the finishing line; in trying to unwind their error the pair capsized and would lose a number of places before sorting themselves out.

James Peters & Fynn Sterritt win both races on the final day of the Gul Fireball World Championship - photo © Lee Whitehead / www.photolounge.co.uk

For the last race of the Championships, at long last the picture was clear. Only a win would do for Birrell and Brearey and even then, they needed Gillard to be fourth or worse. As predicted, the wind had freshened further and was now steady around 24 knots. The sunny periods had now become unbroken, strong sun, which added to the atmosphere of the 'Grand Finale' setting. Away first time, it now became clear just how the seas had built. All week left seemed to have paid, but there was a chance that by going right, boats might get a smoother ride. At the top mark once again it was Peters and Gillard and for a moment it looked as if Peters had blown it, being just below the lay line. Having to tack and tack again is never easy, in those conditions; it was a masterful performance to still sneak through.

James Peters & Fynn Sterritt win both races on the final day of the Gul Fireball World Championship - photo © Lee Whitehead / www.photolounge.co.uk

PRO Peter Saxton had wisely set another sausage-triangle-sausage course, as even the front runners found the reaches demanding in the extreme. It is a peculiar feature of the Fireball hull that in these conditions, with the boat screaming along at maximum speed, that the bow transom was hitting the waves, creating an arc of spray that projected forward of the boat and in some cases, forming a perfect rainbow around the front of the boat. But, at the same time, this was the warning that you were about an inch away from burying the bow into the next wave; there were not that many who survived a full speed nose dive without the subsequent swim! In these conditions the boat speed of the Hyde/Weathermark set up of Peters and Sterritt was at times extraordinary as they turned their advantage into another horizon job. Behind them the next three places were an exact re-run of the previous race, with second being more than enough to see Tom Gillard and Richard Anderton crowned as the new World Champions. With three wins in the last four races, Peters would tie with Birrell in the overall points, but would get the runners up spot.

James Peters & Fynn Sterritt win both races on the final day of the Gul Fireball World Championship - photo © Lee Whitehead / www.photolounge.co.uk

Gillard and Anderton now add the World Title to their success the week before in the Nationals and are the worthy, rightful winners. They had superb offwind speed and could point to being quick in all conditions. Had it not been for their BFD in Race 1, they could have eased their way through the week. Instead, that result, followed up by an uncharacteristic 10th, kept them on the back foot until the final day. The now deposed reigning champions, Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey were always there but just lacked that final 1% extra that Gillard seemed to enjoy. And what of the runners up? James and Fynn had an extended break in their 49er campaign between the Europeans in Porto and the Worlds in Rio. As with some of the other top 49er teams, they've wisely chosen to do other events and had the whole week been windy, it is hard to see anyone stopping their relentless onslaught on the top position.

A full overview of the Fireball fortnight will be posted shortly, but this has been a really classic event of high drama, top class racing, superb race management all wrapped together by the staff of Plas Heli who managed to deliver an event that could be said to have enjoyed a real 'character'. Not only have the Fireball class enjoyed their time in North Wales, here in the UK and abroad, there will be a legacy of renewed interest in the fantastic boat.

Overall Results:

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