Fireball Open Championship at Lough Ree Yacht Club

Fireball Open Championship at Lough Ree © Donal Herraghty

The Fireball summer season got off to an early start last weekend at Lough Ree Yacht Club where eighteen Fireballs and over twenty 420s joined forces for their Open Championship and Ulster Championship respectively.

Saturday's forecast was always looking lively and so it proved. The Met Eireann forecast of average easterly winds in the high teens and some strong gusts was actually exceeded on the water and sailors were treated to very lively conditions for their first race with some gusts touching 30 knots. Inevitably there was a sprinkling of capsizes in both fleets and despite an generous contingent of rescue RIBs race officer David Dixon wisely called a halt after one race, sending everyone ashore to see if conditions softened somewhat.

If anything, gusts increased over the afternoon so after an hour or so ashore racing was closed off for the day. Sailors basked in the sunshine or played with their boats, enjoying refreshments provided by a team of volunteers at the club.

That first race was won by Noel Butler & Stephen Oram, with Josh Porter & Cara McDowell second and Ewen Barry & Sandy Rimmington third. That result was interesting because those top three boats remained near the front over the entire weekend.

An early start was planned for Sunday and racing got under way bang on time at 10am in medium easterly breezes, with occasional decent gusts and also light patches to keep sailors on their toes. The second race was again won by Butler & Oram, with Frank Miller & Ed Butler Snr second and Adrian Lee & Ossian Geraghty third.

While things were looking good for team Butler & Oram the next couple of races unwound their plans somewhat, with scores of a fifth and third, keeping the event wide open.

Races 3 and 4 were won by Barry & Rimmington bringing them strongly into contention. Meanwhile Porter & McDowell had a tricky second race scoring a ninth but returned to consistent form for races 3 and 4 with a third and a second.

It should be said that conditions were quite tricky and judging which side to favour upwind and down was challenging, with variations of pressure and direction around the course. Going left frequently looked good, until it wasn't and for several races a wind bend helped sailors coming onto the starboard lay line.

With all to play for in the final race Porter & McDowell came through with a first, Barry & Rimmington with a fourth and Butler & Oram suffered a seventh.

When the single discard kicked in Porter & McDowell prevailed by their consistent sailing across a very wide range of conditions, with Barry & Rimmington second and Butler & Oram third. The silver fleet prize was won by Olin Bateman & Conor Kelly with Paul Cottier & Brendan Dwyer second and Alan Blay & Hugh McNally third.

Josh Porter and Cara McDowell win the Fireball Open Championship at Lough Ree - photo © Frank Miller

The entire event took place in terrific sunny conditions leading the club safety officer to issue a sunscreen advisory. Special mention is due to race officer David Dixon and his team who managed to keep the Olympic Triangle courses square and fair and who turned everything around with remarkable speed, especially considering that two classes were in play.

The club itself and all the volunteers deserve enormous credit for their organisation and for outstanding hospitality with included a superb meal on the Saturday evening. The atmosphere throughout the weekend was brilliant with very many sailors taking advantage of the great camping facilities on offer.

Ewen Barry and Sandy Rimmington take second - Fireball Open Championship at Lough Ree - photo © Frank Miller

And once again the match of 420s with Fireballs proved to be a perfect one with plans by both classes to continue cooperation into the future.

Further Fireball events this summer include a Leinsters at Blessington SC in May, a Munsters at Monkstown Bay SC, a Nationals at Fenit in August. Several coaching weekends are also planned with one already under the belt at LRYC the weekend before the Open, and more to follow at DMYC in July, a Munsters at Monkstown Bay SC, a Nationals at Fenit in August and an Ulsters at Mullaghmore SC in September..

This year's Fireball World Championship takes place on Lake Garda in late August and already several Irish boats have signed up for what promises to be an outstanding Worlds..

Noel Butler and Stephen Oram take third - Fireball Open Championship at Lough Ree - photo © Frank Miller

Overall Results:

Silver fleet winners Olin Bateman and Conor Kelly (with Donal Herraghty, Commodore) - Fireball Open Championship at Lough Ree - photo © Frank Miller