Fireball Class 2025 Year in Review: A Season of Innovation and Inspiration
by Adam Whitehouse 12 Dec 07:17 PST
2025 Fireball World Championship day 2 © Elena Giolai
As the sails come down and the boats head into winter storage, and we all dig out last year's Christmas jumper and get ready to drink and eat far too much, the Fireball class can look back on 2025 as a year that will be remembered for its energy, innovation, and world-class competition.
From the launch of a bold new design to thrilling championships on home waters and abroad, this season has reaffirmed why the Fireball remains one of the most exciting dinghy classes in the world.
A Fresh Start: The Updated Fireball Design
The year began with a wave of anticipation as February saw the unveiling of the updated Fireball design at the dinghy show.
This modernised version retained the essence of the classic hull shape while introducing refinements aimed at improving performance and accessibility. The response was electric—fleets across the country embraced the new look, and the buzz it created set the tone for a season of growth and renewed enthusiasm a view supported by the order book at Windermark.
The season starts with a bang: The Thomas Castle Aviation Heritage memorial Trophy Spring champs
36 boats on the start of the Spring champs the most for a Fireball open for a mighty long time with more than a handful of youth entries. The training day on Friday was well attended too, wind conditions kept us on dry land but the engaging delivery and insight of Adam Bowers never fails.
The racing was extremely competitive with quality right through to the last boat, mistakes were punished severely and starting well was essential. Ultimately DJ Edwards and Vyv Townend saw off a plucky challenge from Paul Cullen and Simon Forbes with Tom Gilliard and Andy Thompson in Third
Fireball Thomas Castle Aviation Heritage Memorial Trophy Spring Championship at Draycote Water SC
The P&B and Zhik National Championships: Looe Delivers
In May, the spotlight turned to Looe, Cornwall, as the Fireball National Championships returned to one of the UK's most picturesque sailing venues. The event delivered everything sailors could hope for: challenging conditions, tactical racing, and a vibrant social scene ashore.
After a fiercely contested series, Tom Gillard and Andy Thompson emerged victorious with a day to spare, showcasing consistency and tactical brilliance to claim the national crown. And who can forget that last day... phew a sprint race in truly terrifying conditions but thanks again to the race team for getting us on the water when we were all chomping at the bit.
P&B and Zhik Fireball National Championships 2025 at Looe Sailing Club - Overall
World Championships: Garda at Its Best
The jewel in the crown of the 2025 season was the World Championships at Lake Garda. Few venues can match Garda's magic—thermal breezes, dramatic mountain backdrops, and a sailing atmosphere that is second to none.
This year's championship attracted a truly international fleet of 137 boats, but it was former Olympians Yves Mermod and Maja Siegenthaler, who stole the show from former world champions DJ Edwards and Vyv Townend and Tom Gilliard and Andy Thompson. Their speed and consistency on the water was a masterclass in precision and teamwork, earning them the world title and the admiration of the entire Fireball community. Definitely worth checking out their interview with Fireball UK following their win.
Fireball World Championship 2025 at Circolo Vela Arco - Winner Interview
Looking Ahead
With the updated design now firmly established and participation thriving, the Fireball class is riding a wave of momentum into 2026.
The Calendar has already been finalised and published with the most exciting schedule of events I have seen for many years from Lyme Regis top the Yorkshire dales and two warm up events on Torbay ahead of the UK Worlds in July. Torquay is promising to be an event of a lifetime with 60 boats expressing interest including 31 overseas boats with the organising committee now confident the 100 boat target will be met.
To every sailor, volunteer, and supporter who made this season possible - thank you. Here's to another year of pushing boundaries and celebrating the spirit of Fireball sailing.
Fireball class events schedule for 2026