2022 Gul Fireball National Championship at Brightlingsea Sailing Club - Day 1
by Dave Hall 4 Jun 2022 11:29 UTC
1-5 June 2022
Gul Fireball Nationals at Brightlingsea day 1 © William Stacey
It has been a few years since the class held their championship at Brightlingsea SC. The fleet had a warm welcome to the long weekend which is shared with the Contender class. With the boat park and car park organised, the fleet set off for the racecourse out in the mouth of the river Blackwater.
The day started off with pleasant sunshine and a breeze that just had everyone marginal trapezing, along with the short chop that the direction and shallow water kicked up made for some challenging sailing upwind. In race one Georgia Booth & Richard Abendstern shot out of the port end of the line into the lead hotly followed by Tom Gillard & Andy Thompson. Tom & Andy ground down Georgia & Richard to take the win with Paul Cullen & Simon Forbes completing the top three.
The second race of the day and the wind had picked up after the strengthening sea breeze filled in. Georgia & Richard once again made a spectacular start along with Tom & Andy. This time Tom & Andy took the lead early and never looked back. Paul & Simon had a good race finishing 2nd ahead of the pack with Isaac March & Oli Daven port taking third spot.
At the end of the day Tom & Andy are clear ahead. In the Silver fleet Steve Jarred & his Nephew Tom are the leader and in the bronze fleet the local team of Drostan O'Reilly & Paul Aldridge head up the rankings.
After the days prize-giving the daily draw took place with the evenings prizes generously donated by Allen.
The Fireball class would like to express their thanks for the support of the headline sponsor Gul and the others who have given prizes.