On the weekend of the 11th/12th September the Fireball fleet travelled to Brigtlingsea for their annual open meeting. With the nationals just 2 weeks before many of the crews had been mixed up due to other commitments or taking a break.
Saturday started in 22 / 28 knot South Westerly after an hour’s delay for the wind to drop. First around the top mark were Vince Horey and Iocal hero Ian Gibbs followed by Phil Popple and Gavin Tilson these two pulled away from the flight and finished in this order. Mirror national champion Chris Rust, new to Fireballs and sailing with Richard Wagstaff, finished 3rd.
Race two was lead for 2 laps by Popple who was chased down and finally pasted on the downwind legs by Horey, only for Horey to wipe out down a wave and lose his crew over the side. Popple took the chance to regain the lead, Horey recovered to claim 2nd and Rust was again 3rd.
Sunday dawned with clear blue skies and 10 knots of breeze. Horey rounded the windward mark first and did a horizon job. Locals, Elaine and Warren Tudor were in second until the last crucial gybe when Popple slipped through to claim 2nd with the Tudors 3rd.
Race 4 saw Maria Richards and Richard Anderton lead round the first mark in front of Rust and Popple these places stayed the same until the second lap when Horey pulled through to 2nd and was after Rust the two boats split gybes on the last run and it was Rust who won from Horey with Popple 3rd.
Going into the last race, Horey had a 2 point lead but could be caught by Popple if f he won the race. Rust and Wagstaff still had a chance of second. Horey managed to tack on Popple on the first beat and halt his progress as Rust lead towards the first mark, but Horey just managed to squeeze round first. These two boats extended their lead until the leeward mark, when both had got a bit high due to the strong tide and involuntarily gybed whilst dropping their spinnakers. Horey's crew was seen leaving the boat for the second time of the weekend but this time with the kite in his arms and head first. Rust went on to win the race and Horey recovered to claim 2nd and the meeting. As always there was a warm welcome from the Brightlingsea fleet and ample food and beverages.
