Down to the wire

the fight for victory went down to the last race at the Fireball Open at Hayling Island

Saturday dawned with light winds and with one boat arriving with only an hour to the start, it was a challenge to get to the start line on time at the Firball open meeting in Hayling Island.

Race one started in semi- trapezing conditions which continued throughout the race, with young 420 hot shots Jamie and Daniel Hare getting to the windward mark first. Positions remained the same to the leeward mark, but Penny and Ian Gibbs came through on the next beat and lead to the finish from Andy Smith and Jonny Mildred second and Chips Howarth and Richard Wagstaff third.

Race two started in similar conditions with a great first beat from Peter and James Wood from Draycote rounding first ahead of Penny Gibbs, who passed them on the reach in the dying wind. The second reach was very light with Chips Howarth coming through with some good sailing to finish second by a few seconds from Penny Gibbs, Tim Rush with Phil Popple finishing third.

Sunday looked promising until the wind started to disappear up the first beat, with positions constantly changed up to the first mark where several boats rounded close together. Sam Mettam and Richard Anderson rounded behind the first few boats, sailed low down the first reach and into the lead, but down the second reach the wind disappeared and we all drifted along. Local boys, Angus Hemmings and Steve Chesney showed us the way to go, by being in the right place when the wind filled in, winning the race from Vince Horey and Andy Thompson.

It was all down to the last race, with Chips needing to come first and for Penny to come fifth, for him to win. Vince lead at the windward mark, with Chips behind and Penny in third. Chips overhauled Vince down the run and Andy overtook Penny down the second reach. Penny held onto fourth to finish on the same points as Chips but to win on countback.

A good weekend was rounded off with the prizegiving and an offer to share tea and cakes with the Flying Fifteens.

Results:

1-Penny Gibbs and Ian Gibbs, 6pts
2-Chips Howarth and Richard Wagstaff, 6pts
3-Andy Smith and Jonny Mildred, 9pts
4-Sam Mettam and Richard Anderton, 12pts
5-Tim Rush and Phil Popple, 14pts