GJW Direct 2013 Firefly Nationals at Royal Torbay Yacht Club Day 4
Following two days of intense racing in 15 to 20 knots day 4 proved to be very different. The sailors were greeted with very patchy conditions and the threat of a big scary front coming in. As a result the racing was postponed until it was clear what the weather gods would decide.
Racing got under way at 2.30 with another line start, the race would prove tricky for many, with a few of the top placed boats posting big scores. Initially the left of the first beat looked like it was strong but then the wind swung 30 degrees right which really mixed the fleet up. Sailing quickly up the right hand side, Barney Smith and Alannah Hebbert sailing Fourwood Thinking rounded with a good lead from Will Shepherd and Tessa Hamer in Mojo rounding in second.
The lead changed hands a number of times but eventually Barney and Alannah held on to take the victory. Jamie and Jo Mcewan came in 2nd with Ben and Jenny Vines in Fetherlite taking third leaving them as the only boat in the fleet with all top 5 finishes.
The majority of the fireflies stayed out on the water to let the crews show the helms how its done in the crews race which was won by Jo and Jamie Mcewan sailing Skirmish with Evie Snedker in 2nd and Caroline Edwards sailing with Steve Greaves coming in third.
With four races still to go the overall standings are very tight with just 2 points separating the top 4 with reigning champion Stuart Hudson and Jo Findlay currently sitting top of the pile. Tomorrow sees the epic long distance race for the Gore and Marlow trophies with racing over a 12 mile course with a 4 hour time limit, Meanwhile this evening sees the equally epic crews union take place in the Yacht Club.
This year the class gave free entries to three student boats based on a letter writing competition selling their virtues on and off the water. Birmingham University (Toni Duffy and Matthew Jones, Mark Fawcett and Nick Hill) pictured below had two of the free entries, along with a boat from Durham (Konrad Weaver and Thea Crawshaw.) Mark and Nick took just 24 hours before finding themselves in the famous Duckhams dress!