Johnson and Kershaw take Fireflys

Anna Willard reports from the Nationals in Brixham

First time winners Dom Johnson and Debs Kershaw clinched the firefly champs after a week of close racing in breezy Brixham.

Going in to the final race 9 on Friday, the championship was still wide open with three boats in the running to walk away with the top pot. Tony Gunstone and Lucie Buck had been in the lead until Thursday’s race 7 and 8 shook up the results with several of the main contenders finishing lower down the fleet.

Paul Kameen and Angus Armstrong pulled through to win race 7 with Johnson and Kershaw in second. Pathfinder Roger Morris ended up in third. John Greenland and Katie Archer dominated a windy race 8 finishing in first place ahead of Johnson and Kershaw.

But the top boats had everything to play for in a light and shifty race 9. Jono Pank, Dom Johnson and Gunstone had all won races and were all in with a chance.

Gunstone and Buck sped away to the windward mark and kept an impressive lead all the way to the finish, securing second place overall. Johnson took third but his consistently good results throughout the week gave him the championship.

Andy Bryson, Gordon Bonnell and Orwin Murray won the Duckham’s dress for underachievement on Thursday, Friday night and the rest of the year for trying their unsuccessful attempt at trying to make a trophy of the Golden Hind flag.

Close racing throughout the 58 boat fleet, the hospitality of Brixham and its yacht club made for a fantastic week. Togas, the Duckhams dress, dancing to Lesley Presley, crews union and the Pimms party all made for great socials. The sun came out in time for the prize giving and the clouds during the rest of the week failed to dampen anyone’s spirits.

The fleet was full of new faces including 12 first time helms. Old comers from as far a field as America and West Kirby raced alongside Olympic tornado hopeful Adam May and British Match racing champ Ian Williams.

The 58th Firefly Nationals will be in Tenby on August 7-14 2004.