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Well there went summer, and along with it a whole raft of Fireball stuff. The DWSC Firebowl personal handicap event in May, which was won on the last
race by Richard and Clive by 20 seconds and a single point. Then came Abersoch in July, which a few fleet members attended – best summarised as having lots of sunshine but no wind.
Then the Nationals in Tenby in August, which was pretty much the exact opposite.
Following that, the Marriott Mug event, which is the only event I can remember accurately. This is a personal handicap race where we start from the
shore at intervals dictated by the skill (or lack of) of the persons concerned. Potted highlights – Jane & Pat going to 'T', then 'Y', then 'E' when they should have gone straight to 'E'. Paul being
in a Miracle instead of a Fireball for the first race, and having to hold the mast up by hand when the forestay pulled out of the deck. Bob & Paul abandoning the scrap for 2nd place when Paul's hat blew off, so they could go back for it, and then missing it and having to go back
again. JT & Quentin retiring due to a mark rounding error after narrowly beating us in the first race. Watching Caroline's first ever go at crewing a trapeze boat when she and Paul
started the 2nd race. Helen & Paul doing a 360 for hitting a mark and losing 2 places as a result. Hurtling down the leg from 'J' to 'N' with the kites up, as six Fireballs contested 3rd place; five of them going round 'N' nose-to-tail, then some close-quarters rapid manoeuvring to see who would get across the finishing line first. Being pipped on the line by Paul & Caroline and Helen & Paul. And after all that, a dead-heat for the trophy, and only 2 points separating 1st place from 4th in the series.
That was quite a day!
In the run up to Christmas, we have the fleet championships on October 4th and 19th and November 2nd, and the
ever-popular winter series kicking off on October 26th.
The fleet boat continues to be popular and has seen more use this year than ever before.
If you'd like to borrow it and find out for yourself what you're missing, just get in touch.
Good sailing!
Mike Deane
Fireball 14778
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