A report of a cracking event!
An excellent fleet of sixteen Fireflies enjoyed a splendid day’s sport in a lightish, easterlyish breeze and kind sunshine in the afternoon. This wind direction always gives good sport at Chipstead offering a beat the full length of the lake, and an interesting run back, both legs providing plenty of ‘tactical’ opportunities.
The three race event was won by Nigel Wakefield and Sophia Hulbert scoring two wins and a second; however, after a clear win in heat one, Nigel and Sophia had to fight hard for the rest of their results. Their heat two win was by a couple of feet only from Alistair Barker and Natalie Crulla, heat three was taken by Barney Smith racing with Alannah Witherby.
The racing throughout the fleet was, as usual, very close, especially the same four or five boats who slugged out the final positions in each heat.
The racing was under the expert control of Chipstead National 12 pundits, Bob and Maggie Murrell, the rescue crews were able enjoy a day of quiet attentive dosing, and of course, the event concluded with the enjoyment of our famous cakes!
1st Nigel Wakefield & Sophia Hulbert 2
2nd Barney Smith & Alannah Witherby 4
Scoreline: 3,4,1
3rd Roger Morris & Chantal Nicholson 5
Scoreline: 2,3,4
4th Ali Barker & Natalie Crulla 6
Scoreline: 4,2,5
5th Will Mason & Anna Kennedy 8
Scoreline: 5,5,3
1st Chipstead Firefly:
Paul and Myles Handley
Scoreline: 9,8,8 9th position.
Thanks to all our eight travelling Firefly friends who joined us to race for the charming Walter Smith Trophy, a silver cup which the Firefly fleet at Chipstead has raced for each year since the early 1950’s.
Best regards!
Neil Banks, Class Captain and Peter Lanham, Roving Correspondent.