Not a lot appears to have happened between the last newsletter and this one, this being the quiet season when not a lot of sailing gets done. Obviously we turned out for a few things, eg the Fireball Christmas meal and prizegiving bash where we ate too much, got drunk and picked up some prizes. Then the Boxing day pursuit race, which was not windy enough but did at least unglue my trousers from the festive sofa. And the New Years Day pursuit which was also not windy enough but was great fun and very close at the finish. Personally I would cheerfully have sailed round in circles just behind the Oppy that led the thing for so long, but the cruel and heartless RS200 had already overtaken it, so we had to give chase. We didn't quite catch them, but we thought we just might and I reckon they did too - and there's nothing like a bit of adrenaline for diluting the alcohol in the bloodstream. Anyway, on top of that little lot we also had the Winter Super Series which attracted a number of visiting hotshots to keep us amused every other Sunday throughout the winter (won by Simon Maskell and Jon Watkins), and all-of-a-sudden it's nearly April, the weather's getting warmer and windier, and it's time to get really serious about sailing again.

Next event is (was ?) the fleet AGM on March 19^th where we vote ourselves a nice shiny new Fireball fleet committee, after which we will be publishing the Fleet Calendar for 2006. At present the only definite item is the UKFA training weekend on May 6^th and 7^th (book your place with the UKFA fast as it always sells out early). However, we will also be holding the ever popular Firebowl Personal Handicap event in April, probably April 9^th and 23^rd. Keep an eye on the website for confirmation of these dates. If you don't race and would like to have a go at it, this event is the one to start with. It's all a bit tongue in cheek, and if you're not very experienced or just not very good you'll get a nice big head-start over the hotshots. There are 3 races per day (6 in total), with 4 races to count. First start is 10:45 am.

I'd like to say a fond farewell to Paul and Beth who are moving on to other things, and a big fireball fleet hello to Dave and Mel who have bought their boat and a big pot of varnish to go with it. Hi also to Neil and Simon who are doing a major refurb of a very old boat indeed. We look forward to seeing these and a couple of other old wooden boats taking to the water for the first time in the next couple of months, and if you need any help guys, just ask. One of the reasons for the Fireballs' enduring popularity is that you can buy quite a decent one for under £500, and if for some reason you later want to sell it again, well at least it won't have depreciated noticeably in the meantime. Come and have a go – you have nothing to lose but your sanity, leisure time, feeling in your fingers, street cred. etc etc.

See you on the water, or possibly in it.

Mike Deane

Fireball 14778