Preview of the Crewsaver 60th Firefly Nationals

by Firefly Class Publicity on 4 Aug 2006 60 years ago a new boat named 'Fe' was launched at Henley on the River Thames, heralding a revolution in one design dinghy sailing. 'Fe' was the first of nearly 4,000 Fireflys to be built since 1946, and next week over 100 of these classic 12 foot dinghies will celebrate a milestone year for the class by competing in the Crewsaver 60th Firefly Nationals at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club, Abersoch, in North Wales.

From the 5-11 August, Abersoch will be overrun as 300 Firefly sailors and supporters join together for a week long birthday party. 8 points races are scheduled with the prestigious long distance Sir Ralph Gore Trophy on the programme for Wednesday.

Competitors will also enjoy a packed social programme with beach games, the original 'Duckhams', crews union, discos and live bands sponsored by Hyde Sails and Rondar Boats.

The fleet will include 8 past Firefly champions. Two past champions, Stuart Hudson and Mike Arnold, who will both be sailing at Abersoch, have between them have won the classes top honour a total of 10 times.

Current National Champions Antony Gunstone and Lucie Hopkins are definitely the form favourites for the week but are likely to be challenged hard for the title by top Firefly sailors from past decades as well as a star studded line up of sailors from other classes.

National Firefly Association chairman Will Mason commented 'We always wanted the Crewsaver 60th Firefly Nationals to be the highlight of our anniversary year. With over 100 boats entered for the week the class association has definitely achieved that goal. I can't wait to arrive in Abersoch this weekend to meet up with Firefly sailing friends old and new for a great week of sailing and partying.'

Will added 'Over the last 60 years many of the UKs top sailors have been introduced to small boat racing in a Firefly and the class bought in innovations such as rotating metal masts, gate starts and hot-moulded construction. The class is not just surviving but thriving in the 21st century and I certainly hope to be around for the Firefly classes 100th Anniversary in 2046!'

The National Firefly Association would like to thank all our sponsors, Crewsaver, Hyde Sails, Rondar boats, Dinghy Sailing Magazine, Marlow ropes and Craftinsure for their support during the 60th Anniversary year.

Championship facts:

Over 50 sailing clubs will be represented in Abersoch and the fleet includes visitors from the USA, Australia, Belgium and Ireland.

Of the 105 boats currently entered, just over 50% will be glassfibre, all built by Rondar boats in the last 8 years, and 47 wood, built by Fairey Marine in Hamble between 1946 and 1977.

West Kirby Sailing club is sending an amazing 22 entries and in the form of Jim Bramley who's worked for 2 years preparing for Abersoch, has supplied the best championship organiser the Firefly class has ever had.

Helms ages range between a little above 80 (Dick Uren) to a more youthful 14 (James Clayton). The youngest crew will be 9 year old Callum Weston from Hamble River. 21 female helms will be on the water together with 16 boats sailed by under 21s.

The oldest helm and crew combination is Peter and Dawn Langdon from Restronguet SC. We think their ages add up to vastly experienced 141! The Langdons were Firefly Class Champions in 1971.

The oldest boat in the fleet is also one of the favourites for a top 5 position. Dave Chisholm and Kerry Ryan from Waldringfield will be sailing Firefly 888 'Desperado' built in 1950 and have notched up a string of open meeting success in 2006.