NOVEMBER 2003

Welcome to my first Fireball International newsletter! With so much going on around the world with Fireballs, I thought it would help to have a central point where you can just catch up on the latest events. I intend to issue these every few months, but this first one picks out the highlights of the year so far.

2003 started well with the World Championships in Kilifi, Kenya in February. The Mnarani Club hosted the event, which attracted boats from the UK, Ireland, mainland Europe, plus a strong local contingent. The winds on race days were moderate, generally a force 3-4 with a small chop. All 10 races were sailed, allowing 2 discards. This must be what sailing is all about ~ sun, heat and a perfect location - what could be better? Overall winners, and winners of 7 out of 10 races, were Chips Howarth and Vyv Townend (GBR14708). Congratulations to them, although as they are unable to attend the 2004 World Championships in Adelaide this Christmas, there are vacancies for new World Champions!!

A busy summer schedule saw the Europeans in the Shetland Islands, situated approximately half way between Scotland & Norway. Those brave sailors who prepared themselves for strong winds and the cold could not have been so ill prepared. We were met instead by a heat wave and light winds ~ what was going on? Race starts were even delayed as we waited for the wind to arrive. The Nationals did however show what the Shetlands are infamous for, with heavy winds, certainly not for the faint-hearted. The Europeans were a closely fought championship, with the winners being decided on the last race. Congratulations to the winners ~ Andy Smith and James Meldrum from the UK. The Shetlanders made us feel especially welcome, and provided lots of entertainment, rowing races and plenty of fish and chips!

Many National Championships have also been taking place across the northern hemisphere. Canada was one of the first with 23 Fireballs from both the east & west coasts, plus 2 all the way from Colorado descending on Lake Newell in Alberta for the 3-day event. A range of wind strengths from Force 0 to 30 knots met the competitors, so there was something for everybody! Debbie Kirkby and Rupert Holmes-Smith were overall winners with ex-UK skipper Julian Hannabuss and Joel Lancaster coming second.

The Italian Nationals took place on Lago di Brecciano, the venue for the 2001 World Championships. Winds ranged from 7 to 16 knots, with 28 boats including 2 French boats. Congratulations to the overall winners ~ Paolo Brescia and Dario Pagliani. As expected, the sailing was accompanied with lots of pasta and a celebratory dinner on the last night.

The beginning of August also saw the UK Nationals with 72 boats in Paignton on the south coast. The heat wave affecting Europe this year meant there was little wind, so only 5 out of 10 races could be sailed. Still, it meant there was more time to party and touch up the suntan! Overall winners of the Open Championship in the taxing, light, shifting winds, were Shane McCarthy and Andy Thompson of Ireland, with the second placed boat of Kevin Hope and Rob Gardner being crowned UK National Champions.

Not content with winning the UK event, Shane then went on to win the Irish Nationals in County Cork in similarly light winds with Tommy Hall. The 3-day, 9-race event attracted 32 Fireballs from Ireland, the UK and South Africa, as well as Noel Butler who just returned from winning the Laser 2 World's in Holland. What a star-studded line up that was!

The French Nationals was located inland on the Lac de Naussac, and attracted 67 boats from 7 different countries. Overall winners were Ludovic Alleaume and Etienne Perdon.

The Swiss Nationals at the end of September on the Lac de Biel saw 33 boats from 5 different nations competing in the 5 races. Close racing meant any of 4 boats could have won the event in the last race, but it was left to the Irish pairing of Shane McCarthy with Tom Hall to win this event as well! Is there no stopping this Irishman now?

It is already November and yet we have only just completed some events, which will feature next time! The Southern hemisphere is just hotting up ready for the 2004 World's in Adelaide! There is no end to it all!

I apologise if I haven't mentioned your Nationals, but if you send me the details, I'll make sure I note it for next time.

Of course, there's more to Fireball International than just the fantastic events that take place all over the world. The website is now being resurrected from when it was lost earlier in the year. There are details about Slovenia, the venue for the 2004 Europeans posted on the site shortly; there are also the links to the major websites being restored so you can find out about the Worlds in Adelaide etc. It's also a great way to sell your boat or find out what boats are available, or to find a helm or crew for an international event… and there's more to come! Until next time….

Enjoy your sailing!

Penny Gibbs, Commodore, Fireball International
E-Mail: Commmodore@fireball-international.com