News / Fireballs dominate at the Steve Nicholson event

A strong turnout for the Fireball class at the Steve Nicholson Trophy was sure to leave sailor of other classes feeling slightly emasculated. As the build-up for the 2015 Pwllheli World Championships gathers pace, plenty of teams chose the short course inland venue of Northampton Sailing Club as a key winter training event.

Although not entirely classic Fireball conditions, the strength and depth of the class shone through with Fireballs peppering the Top 10.

In race 1, three boats rounded the first mark in very quick succession- An RS 800 straddled by the Fireballs of Dave Hall/Paul Constable and Ian Dobson/Dan Scheiber. Reigning World Champions Birrell/Brearey chasing closed behind. The tussle continued until Dobson/Scheiber escaped the grasp of Hall/Constable after numerous laps. Dobson/Schieber notably finishing the race only seconds behind the familiar pair of Gillard/Anderton (Sailing a 505), showing that defection gleans no reward.

Race 2, sailed in slightly less breeze, began with a dogfight at the pin end of the line. Dobson could be seen grinning from ear to ear as he managed to cut through the fleet leading the port tack towards the top mark, subsequently rounding ahead of the fleet. After a 49er stopped on the mark, the front of the race soon stretched out, with 4 fireballs battling in the front pack.

The event ended with Dobson/Scheiber taking the win in the double-handed class, with Hall/Constable in 4th place Taylor/Saunders in 7^th and Hope/Thorne in 8^th. Notably the most consistent scorecard came from Birrell/Brearey taking home the full points of two BFDs.

See you all at the Tiger Trophy- a typical Fireball stomping ground.