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55th Gunner Office Equipment Fireball Australian Championship at Portland Yacht Club

by Chris Payne 15 Feb 2022 17:33 AEDT 4-7 February 2022

After a long hiatus and an ever changing landscape of restrictions the International Association of Australia (IFAA) finally managed to run the 55th Fireball Australian Championships on the waters of Bass Strait off Portland in the Western Region of Victoria.

Initially the regatta had been slated for Yeppoon in Queensland but with uncertainty on borders a more local venue was selected. Luckily Victoria is blessed with regional clubs that not only have great waters to sail in, but have active and friendly associations which can cater for classes such as the fireball.

Portland Yacht Club (PYC) is just such a club and put on an amazing regatta which provided everything the class needed to get the nationals back on the calendar. Unfortunately the fleet size was small with a number of sailors pulling out due to Covid-19, but those that came had some amazing sailing and very easy and enjoyable social events.

Day 1 saw three races in 15 to 20 knots with some exciting sailing amongst the large waves. Whilst the fireball scow shape is more suited to the flat water, the fireball sailors revelled in the conditions. South Australian sailors Ben Schulz / Joal Makenzie laid the gauntlet down with three bullets and looked to be fully in control. Fellow SA sailors Jalina Thompson-Kambas / Nathan Stockley kept the pressure on with two third places whilst the big men of the Victorian fleet Nick Gunner / Simon Gunner and Myles Gavin / Ben O'Brien kept them honest and shared the second places.

Day 2 had similar wind which increased during the day to 20 to 25 knots and put more pressure on the sailors to perform. Again Ben / Joal dominated in the first race, but their bad start in the second race allowed Jalina / Nathan to get away to a comfortable win in the windiest race of the series. For one of the smallest crews this turned out to be a pivotal moment for Jalina / Nathan's overall chances.

Day 3 was lighter and favoured the smaller crews sailing through the Bass Strait waves. Previous Australian Champions Heather Macfarlane / Chris Payne showed better form in the lighter breezes with a couple of wins, but Jalina / Nathan's two seconds and a first clawed back the points deficit to Ben / Joal. This meant that the two SA boats were on equal points after two drops and couldn't be beaten for first or second with two races remaining.

Day 4 was again lighter and whilst the racing was extremely close for much of the racing Jalina / Nathan secured two comfortable second places to clinch the title for their first Australian Championship win. Both SA boats showed good speed across the ranges, but Jalina / Nathan's consistency in all conditions made them a worthy winner.

With exactly two years to go until the World Championships are in Geelong, now is the time to get into the Fireball - for more information check out the web site at www.fireball-international.com and 2024.fireballworlds.com.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoBoat NameHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8R9R10Pts
115011 Ball Breaker Jalina Thompson‑KambasNathan StockleyLargs Bay SC, SA[3][3]3212212215
215159RiptideBen SchulzJoal MackenzieLargs Bay SC, SA1111[4]4[5]33418
315048Not Your Average RockstarsHeather MacfarlaneChris PayneBlack Rock / Sandringham, YC VIC[6]4[11]461121120
415027The Grey GhostPhil PeverellBruce ShandFrankston YC, VIC[8]656[7]7345339
514608Hot WireMyles GavinBen O'BrienRoyal Geelong YC, VIC72435[8]7[10]7641
615049Scatter gunNick gunnerSimon gunnerRoyal Geelong YC, VIC272[11]2510[12]10846
615062The big bang theoryJosh WhitePeter JamesRoyal Geelong YC, VIC45653[11][11]711546
814572Return of the JediJosh GarnerBrendan GarnerRoyal Geelong YC, VIC[11]118983684[12]57
914851WaveWalkaboutMark JarredTom JarredGosford SC, NSW10137[16C][16C]6457961
1014414Outback DingosGlenn PeverellBruno LanatiFrankston YC, VIC58107[13F]9[12]981066
1114814What's the Story...?Susannah GillamAndrew ButlerRoyal Geelong YC, VIC[12]109109[12]869768
1214601Cop You LaterRod BarkerDarrell RalphWarrnambool YC, VIC99[13]81010911[12]1177
1314943RockstarsAndrew KeanMabel KeanCairn Curran SC, VIC1312121211[14]13[14]131399
1412778SequelPeter RussellJenny RussellWarrnambool YC, VIC15[16F][16C]16161315131415117
1414603FredBen DoakGlennRoyal Geelong YC, VIC14[16F]1414F[16C]151416F16F14117

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