The fireballs returned to Abersoch Dinghy Week for another great week of sailing and socialising.
For those of you who have not ventured to Abersoch Dinghy week before it has five main features:
Abersoch is normally a warm up for many sailors to their National Championships but for others it is just a good holiday with a bit of sailing in the afternoon. There is 1 race a day starting at a very sociable 14:30hrs, which gave the competitors plenty of time for sunbathing, family duties, shopping, extended lie-ins etc etc.
19 fireballs competed this year, some from some seasoned sailors who have been coming to Abersoch for decades, to some people who were new to fireballs not just to Abersoch. The week was a little unusual with strong winds dominating but as the rest of the country had unseasonal rain storms, Abersoch’s famous microclimate was visible with only a little rain. The days that the wind was not so crazy there was wonderful sun and racing around the bay.
The fireball fleet epitomised Abersoch week this year, with it being very much about family, good fun and great racing. At a Nationals there is always a first girl crew trophy but at Abersoch the first handful of boats were all crewed by the WAGs of there respected helms.
The top three girl crews all received a special prize for sailing on the very windy day, while many of the chubby and attractively challenged male sailors from the RS fleets stayed on sure saying the conditions were too much to handle. We are not sure that Jean, Becky, and Ali went sailing out of duty on that day or because they wanted the chance to go swimming. Becky crewing for Adam is quite new to sailing will have a pleasant surprise when she realises that sailing on the sea is not always that windy, and you don’t always have to wear your winter sailing kit!
There was a few memorable moments that will need to be explored and exaggerated on in sailing club bars for years to come including masts being broken, holes in boats to name but a few. Abersoch week was yet again a wonderful marketing opportunity for the fireball class with many other fleets making comment about the quality of the racing, the boat and how we were able to sail in all the conditions (without having to hike out for the 2 mile beats!)
The racing was close and competitive and week was only settled on the last race with a short course just off the yacht club so the huge numbers of spectators could watch the racing and swimming. Becky and Adam led the race but unfortunately capsized on the last jibe mark which gave Ali and Russ first place in the race and the competition win.
Results
Photos - Sailshots
Photos - Fotoboat
