The first series race of the GJW direct Firefly national championships got underway today under blue skies and a building westerly breeze. Pwllheli sailing club once again did a great job setting a course.
The preferred format for the one design double-hander is to have longer Olympic style courses mixed with short course trapezoid courses. Today was one of the longer races and as is customary, a gate start was used. Many boats were keen to get out of the trap early, and gate boat James Clayton and Thea Cranshaw did a splendid job drawing out the start line for the fleet. A few of the early starters were anticipating an earlier launch though, and as the dan buoy was dropped on the gun, found themselves a little too low to get through the line without tacking.
The wind conditions were fairly steady but with a short confused chop it took most helms the majority of their capacity just to keep the boat moving at full speed. It was the crews then, that must take the credit for navigation up the beat. Pippa Home and Andy Shaw from Itchenor led round the first beat, followed by Jane and Stuart Hudson who overtook them downwind and stayed ahead to win the race.
As the conditions became slightly lighter and more shifty, placed were traded throughout the fleet over the four lap race. Shaw and Home hung onto second, adding another great score to their second place in the practice race yesterday. Firefly aficionados will recognise their sail number as belonging to the famous ‘Bloodhound’, though they are actually using borrowed sails on the interestingly-named ‘slack ma girdle’, a modern Rondar hull. 2008 champions Paul and Laura Kameen were third with ‘Desperado’ fourth. (Andy Cornah and Katie Fairclough)
The Duckhams underachievement outfit was sported by a prominent boat builder, who came second in the bar room clapometer to a newcomer team who bought their boat off eBay (£107) especially for the nationals. Tune in tomorrow for more news and keep your fingers crossed that the forecast gales blow through early!