GJW Direct 2013 Firefly Nationals at Royal Torbay Yacht Club Day 6
The penultimate day of the 2013 firefly nationals saw another onshore delay as the 88 sailors waited for the much promised sea breeze to fill in. Racing finally got underway at 1.30 with the first of the days two scheduled races getting underway in light conditions with a gate start. For once the left hand side of the beat came in good, with slightly more breeze favouring the boats that started early. Heading furthest left and coming out in first at the top mark was David Sincock and Betty Wheeler sailing Water Spider, closely followed by Jono and Sarah Pank with Ben and Jenny Vines rounding third. The front three stretched out a good lead and finished in the same order, meanwhile a real tussle ensued for 4th with Nigel Wakefield and Emily Saunderson sailing a great final beat to take 4th place with Andy Cornah and Kate Fairclough claiming 5th.
What was to happen next was somewhat unexpected as race 8 got underway, there was something looming on the horizon and by the time the lead boats rounded the top mark, the fleet was surrounded by thick sea fog. First to navigate themselves through the murk was Steve Greaves and Caroline Edwards sailing Cumulus, with Andy Cornah and Kate Fairclough 2nd and Guy Davidson sailing with Izzy Bretherton rounding the top mark in 3rd. By the time the leaders reached mark 2 and turned down onto the run, mark 3 had disappeared completely, so a slight guessing game ensued. Fortunately the mark emerged from the mist and the race committee took the decision to shorten the race after the first lap due to the ever-worsening fog. So after probably the shortest race in firefly national’s history Steve Greaves and Caroline Edwards had a slight reprieve after leading the Gore for two and a half hours yesterday and claimed victory with Cornah and Fairclough 2nd, Davison and Bretherton 3rd.
A few of the top overall contenders suffered big scores in the one lap race which leaves the overall standings incredibly close with one day and one race to go. Infact the top three overall are on the same points. Tomorrow looks set to test the nerves to the full of three former national champions Hudson, Pank and Vines.
Overall Top 5 Places after 8 Races, 1 Discard
1st Jono & Sarah Pank 24 Points
2nd Stuart Hudson & Jo Findlay 24 Points
3rd Ben & Jenny Vines 24 Points
4th Andy Cornah & Kate Fairclough 33 Points
5th Jamie Mcewan & Jo Mcewan 40 Points