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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 3^rd 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 1^st place from 4^th in the series.

That was quite a day!

In the run up to Christmas, we have the fleet championships on October 4^th and 19^th and November 2^nd, and the ever-popular winter series kicking off on October 26^th.

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