2016 UK Nationals - Hayling Island

15 August 2016

UKGlobal 2016 Fireball Nationals at Hayling Island Sailing Club -

Overall

After an excellent social in the bar on Saturday I'm sure there were a few sailors who took one look at the forecast and thought "do we have to?" but the fleet pushed off for the final 2 races in next to no wind and rode the ebbing tide out into the bay. The drift to the racecourse took some time and with absolutely zero pressure it looked as if that might be it in terms of racing, but Hayling just seems to deliver. Right on cue a little pressure built from the south and before you could say "Beer? Anyone?" there was 5-8 knots of sea breeze blowing in.

The fleet were pushing their luck on the start line and the black flag was needed although this didn't stop 6 boats being OCS and excluded from the 1st race, the 9th of the series. Once underway it was Birrell & Townend who made the most of the shifts and led along the top reach. They sailed well to take the race win, their 1st of the series, with returning ex Champion Ian Pinnell and Andrew Bonsey in 2nd with Jess Lavery and Flora Steward claiming an excellent 3rd and completing the podium.

The final race, the 10th of the week was also run under black flag conditions after number of failed starts made it look as if the last race may not happen. It was a shifty tactical affair and it was Burge and Wagstaff who made the most of it, claiming their 1st win of the week. Phil Popple and Richie Bailey displayed some real class to come home 2nd and Pinnell & Bonsey showed their light air pace again with a solid 3rd.

 Gillard & Anderton's lead was of course unassailable and their 6th in race 9 meant they were allowed an early shower. The prize giving that followed was a great advert for the generous sponsors and there were prizes galore distributed in so many categories. All the youth sailors got a prize as a recollection of their event, there were prizes for novice helm and crew, over 50, 60 and 70(!), for classic boat, perseverance, lady helm and crew, under 21 helm and crew, 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Bronze and Silver fleets, individual race wins and of course the top 10.

Special thanks to all the generous sponsors, UKGlobal, Hyde Sails, P&B, North Sails, Harken and Spinlock for their generous support of the event, also to the race team for making the fantastic racing happen, to Chris Turner, the new UKFA Chairman, who co-ordinated the championships, to all the competitors who attended and to Hayling Island SC for hosting such a fantastic Championships.

In the end, despite the quality at the business end of the fleet, no-one could live with the pace of Tom Gillard and Richard Anderton and they retained their crown in style. The Fireball may be long in the tooth but the fleet is resurgent and remarkably friendly, the boat remains quick and competitive and with a European Championships being held in Lyme Regis next year there is every reason to be optimistic. Fireball. Have you tried one yet? If not then you really should.