GJW Direct 2013 Firefly National Championships at Royal Torbay Yacht Club Day 5
The middle day of the Firefly Nationals traditionally sees the running of the long distance race for the Gore and Marlow trophies. According to some long standing scriptures the race must have a line start and be raced round a triangular course with the aim of sailing 12 miles, or for 4 and a half hours whichever comes first. The fleet all race together but are split into the Gore and Marlow competition based on results from the first half of the week.
Conditions were pretty much perfect for sailing fireflies for 12 miles with breeze starting at force 3-4 and building to a good force 4-5. The fleet got underway at the second time of asking and as on the previous day it was the right hand side that came out smelling of roses with Steve Greaves and Class Chair Caroline Edwards starting right at the committee boat and taking advantage of the favoured side of the beat to round the top mark first. They managed to hold onto the lead for a good two and a half hours before being overhauled by firefly legends Jono Pank and Stuart Hudson sailing with Sarah Pank and Jo Findlay respectively, Hudson and Findlay sailing a very impressive race from being in the twenties round the first mark. Ben and Jenny Vines in Featherlite kept up their impressively consistent form coming in 4th with Guy Davison and Izzy Bretherton completing the top 5 in the Gore.
The race for the Marlow was very keenly contested with former National Champion David Ellis sailing with Evie Snedker leading the field for most of the race before gear failure forced them to retire. This handed the lead to Alister and Nicky Barker who just held off Mike Steel and Chris Styles to claim the trophy. Third in the Marlow were Richard Thompson and Emma Harvey.
Despite the drizzle and Olympic style prize giving took place onshore straight after racing with a podium, medals, trophies, champagne and lots of tired but happy sailors!
With two days and three races to go Pank and Hudson are now tied at the top with Ben and Jenny Vines close behind, the 2013 Firefly Nationals look set to go right down to the wire.
Sir Ralph Gore Challenge Cup
1st Jono and Sarah Pank
2nd Stuart Hudson and Jo Findlay
3rd Steve Greaves and Caroline Edwards
Marlow Cup
1st Alister and Nicky Barker
2nd Mike Steele and Chris Styles
3rd Richard Thompson and Emma Harvey
Overall Top 5 after 5 races
1st Jono and Sarah Pank 12 points
2nd Stuart Hudson and Jo Findlay 12 points
3rd Ben and Jenny Vines 16 points
4th Jamie and Jo Mcewen 20 points
5th Andy Cornah and Kate Fairclough 26 points