Carbonology Firefly Nationals Practice Race Results
Competitors mustered at Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club for the 59th Carbonology Firefly nationals.
The practice race delivered a shift offshore breeze for the 50% of the fleet that made it to the start line. Despite the race officer promising an increase to force 7, the breeze played ball and dropped from a sporty 15 knots down to 7-8 knots for the finish line off the bar.
Despite the shifty feel to the breeze there seemed to be no strongly favoured side and F69 ‘Atomic’ from RTYC had the honour of leading the fleet round the windward mark. However F3550 ‘Water Spider’ from Restonguet Sailing Club overtook them downwind and held a lead all the way to the final beat where defending champions F2144 ‘Featherlite’ from Imperial Poona YC pipped them to the finish.
The famous Firefly fleet gate start went without a hitch, with no senior moments from the ex-chairman pathfinder and some fine boat driving from the host club.