Coastguard gets involved

There were some hair-raising conditions at the Fireball open hosted by Shoreham SC

30 Fireballs enjoyed fantastic conditions at Shoreham Sailing Club on the 16th and 17th of June. The racing on Saturday was held in around 20 knots in big waves, classic Shoreham conditions. 

Race one got underway under the black flag after one general recall. Whitehouse and Pratt led at the top mark but were past by 'DJ' Edwards and Simon Potts followed by Matt Mee and Richard Wagstaff. Edwards and Potts had rudder problems mid race which handed the lead to Mee and Wagstaff who led to the finish. Richard Estaugh and Rob Gardner made a late charge on the final run, pulling through to take second with Whitehouse and Pratt third. 

Due to a number of capsizes, broken rigs and a spectacular 'pitchpole' by Vince Horey and Andy Thompson the nearby RNLI lifeboat advised the race officer to cancel racing for the day due to the worsening sea conditions. 

Shoreham SC provided an excellent hog roast on the Saturday evening which was enjoyed by all, except the hog.

Sunday's forecast was for lighter winds, dropping throughout the day but still with great wave conditions. Race two was held in around 15 knots. Mee and Wagstaff took the gun comfortably from Whitehouse and Pratt who again led at the windward mark, and Becky Priest and Tim Saunders taking third.

Race three was started in similar conditions with Horey and Thompson leading from the Left of the race course to be first at the top mark. They were followed in by Malcom Davies and Paul 'Spanner' Cullen. The second beat saw Mee and Wagstaff go from fourth to first . Keeping a loose cover on Edwards and Potts, they lead to the finish to take their third bullet of the weekend and the event. 

Race four was held in lighter conditions. Mee and Wagstaff had headed in leaving Noel Butler and Ian Gibbs to take the lead at the windward mark. Edwards and Potts worked their magic to take top spot with a tussle for second and third resulting in Butler and Gibbs just pipping Kev Hope and Russell Thorn on the line.

An excellent weekend of racing was had by all, thanks to everyone from Shoreham SC for a fantastic event. Next stop Parkstone on the 7-8 July.

1-Matt Mee and Richard Wagstaff 
2-David Edwards and Simon Potts  
3-Adam Whitehouse and Mike Pratt 
4-Noel Butler and Ian Gibbs 
5-Kevin Hope and Russell Thorne