16 September 2020
Dear Fireball Members,
Fireball Australia has been working closely with Fireball SA and Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club to plan our upcoming Australian Championship. Due to travel restrictions brought on by COVID-19 and the unlikely possibility that state borders will open in time for our Australian Championship we feel that we have to cancel the 2020-21 Australian Championship as currently scheduled from December 28th – 3rd January.
On the huge plus side Down Under Sail is currently planning to hold a senior classes regatta at Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club compressed into a 4-day event from 28th – 31st December 2020 under the SA Summer of Sail Festival banner. The club is on board & has given the concept its full support. The regatta will focus on senior classes such as Sharpies, Fireballs, 505s, One-Design Windsurfers & Contenders. With most of these classes having already cancelled their Australian Championships, all these classes mentioned are very keen to participate to make it a great event.
more about SA SUMMER OF SAIL
Fireball Australia would like to encourage all SA Fireballers to attend this regatta, as it is being planned by DUS it promises to be a cracking event on & off the water. With the final day to be New Year’s Eve it will be a great way to finish off the regatta. In the remote chance the borders do re-open in time, we can invite the rest of the countries' fireball sailors to join us at this regatta.
The format of the regatta is still in the planning stage but there are options to hold our state championships and/or run it as a coaching clinic, which would be a great opportunity to make the fleet as a whole more competitive leading into the imminent World Championship in Australia.
As with any event run by Down Under Sail, DUS will also be factoring in a considerable budget to go towards media and promotion and as a class associated with this event, there will be plenty of further promotional opportunities to capitalise on free of charge to our association.
As soon as more information is available for the DUS SA Summer of Sail Festival we will be in touch.
Regards,
John Heywood
Fireball Australia President
