It was always going to be tough trying to beat the rapid increase seen in the Fireball fleet in 2014 but the season that has just finished wasn't bad! Highlights included:
Several new boats joined us including a vintage 'new boat' in the guise of FB341 'Mah Jong' owned by Richard Gray. The fleet is now 24-strong with quite a few vintage/classic versions bringing variety and colour to the ranks of the modern Winders.
Around 10 boats attended the Worlds and fleet members Tom Gillard/Richard Anderton and James Peters/Fynn Sterritt placed 1st and 2nd.
HISC won the right to host the 2016 Nationals - a four day event in August that'll be busy both on and off the water. Planning has begun and visitors have already started booking on-site accommodation (there's quite a lot available though so still plenty of time!).
Fireballs were awarded their own start at Federation Week (it was renamed Chichester Harbour Race Week this year but everyone still knows it as 'Fed Week') which was widely reported for all sorts of reasons not least being the affection Harbour people have for the class.
As promised, the club re-arranged the berthing and all Fireballs are now together in front of the clubhouse (and in front of the cafe which is rather handy) generating activity and a buzz in what is HISC's 'shop window'.
Coming up to the present, the open winter series commences 30 October and finishes on 27 December with the 'Christmas Cracker'. Home boats will be out in numbers so if you would like to try out the club now is a good time!
Looking ahead, HISC is keen to see further growth in the fleet. Berthing is available, membership fees can be paid monthly by direct debit to ease the load and the Racing Incentive Scheme to alleviate the joining fee remains in place. On the water, we will have a sprint series on occasional Saturdays and generally expect to be sailing in Hayling Bay quite often either in scheduled races or on an ad-hoc basis to permit boat-on-boat tuning. There will be plenty of social events, too!
If you'd like to know more please get in touch!
Chris Turner
[email protected]
Firealls 6 & 15111
