Mount's Bay prepares

The Fireball fleet are getting ready for their UK National Championships

The waters of Mount's Bay have long been a favourite playground of the Fireball fleet. Following the success of the Thailand World Championships interest is building for the UK National Championships. Already more than 50 boats have pre entered and this years championship looks like being a very big event! Visitors from abroad are expected to swell the numbers to above 80 boats.

To make life easy for competitors and their families, an event website has been set up. www.fireballnationals.org.uk provides full details of this years Championships. Thinking of taking part but want to know more about the event? Looking for some accommodation or want to more about the area? Then log on. Further updates will be posted before the event.

Never been to the Fireball Nationals before. Here is what some of the competitors from last years nationals had to say;

“Get involved!! It’s a great class to be sailing in, with some very close racing and a really friendly atmosphere. Not to mention the chance to sail in some great venues, against some great sailors”.

Mark Hogan 2007 Fireball National Champion Crew

"The racing was good. The race officer was experienced and took advantage of the sea breeze which generally kicked in around noon every day. For us, the first couple of days were fairly lively but we were in control (which was a big improvement on last year)! However, by the middle of the week we were frustrated that we seemed to gain on the beats only to lose on the reaches. No matter what happened though, we received loads of encouragement from other Fireballers, in particular, from Mark Hogan and our ‘buddies’, Ian and Penny Gibbs. Mark spent some time with Bob on the lay day making adjustments to sail controls, and Ian produced a really good sketch on a napkin of how to maximise speed in a Fireball. It definitely helped as for the first time we gained on some of the reaches and actually managed a 21st place in one race. The 2007 Nationals, therefore, ended on a high for us. We thoroughly enjoyed the week and made many new friends, and hope to have improved a bit more for next year’s visit to Mounts Bay"

Debbie Tuckwood FB 14266. Second Wind

"We had an unforgettable week of sailing and it was a brilliant introduction to the class. We have to thank all the companies involved in 'pimping' our boat for giving us a whole stack of brilliant kit but we also have to thank everyone who helped us to set it up and use it. We learned so much and, without them, we would still have been chasing the back of the fleet with the kite in its bag. So thank you to everybody who donated time, spares and advice to us over the week! We highly recommend the Nationals as an event and the Fireball as a class"

Kirsten Claiden-Yardley and Andy Jarvis