12th-13th JUNE 2010
Sixteen Fireflies competed at the Royal Harwich Firefly Open Meeting, along with Larks and National Twelves. With only 2 more salt-water opens before the nationals, this was a great chance to get those sea-legs in gear…
Saturdays’ wind was a north-easterly across the river giving a shifty Force 2-4. Race 1 saw Steve Greaves and Caroline Edwards take a substantial lead with Alex Davey and Jonquil Brookes, Barney Smith and Alannah Witherby and Stuart and Jane Hudson swapping places in the pack behind. The top 4 finished in this order.In Race 2 the Hudsons led at the first mark followed by Davey/Brookes, and these two boats retained their places to the finish. Saturday evening’s “entertainment” was provided by the English football team with the club laying on a large TV screen and food for the 100-odd competitors.
Sunday saw the wind again cross river but this time from the opposite direction and a little lighter. 3 more races were sailed with yesterdays top boats in good form, but the results also featured Dave Chisolm and Alice Gardner and Amy Morris and Helen Stamp.
In the end the Hudsons won with a consistent scoreline of first places. Locals Alex Davy and Jonquil Brookes were second with Steve Greaves and Caroline Edwards third. Special mention must go to F13, sailed by Nick Dickinson and Kathy Dickenson, Nick’s father brought the boat from new and it retains all the orignal fittings and spars!
Many thanks to Amy Bowden for organization, Matt Joslin and the commodore for sorting out the big screen and the now legendary Race Officer Graham Ireland for his excellent, if sometimes baffling, courses in difficult conditions!
For the full story behind each exciting race, check your forthcoming Bulletin magazine. For full results, and somemore details about this great sailing club, click to http://www.royalharwichyachtclub.co.uk/