Flying the flag - Race 3/8

Flying the flag - Race 3/8
The race committee got the 2nd race started nice and quickly, with the 10th boat from the previous race acting as pathfinder for the gate start. A second rate start on our part left us fighting for clean air from the middle of the fleet, while Dave&Betty (RSC) and Rod&Jamie (RSC) got away nicely. Phil and Jilly meanwhile got caught off guard eating their lunch off to the side of the racecourse while everyone else started; A very rare mistake from the ever consistent Slaters.

Rod&Jamie sailed a fantastic race to finish 14th and 1st RSC boat, with us 3 places behind in Kong.

Looking at the results we currently have 5 RSC boats in the top 30, and that is before any discards take effect. (Lowest score is deducted once 4 races complete)

See the results at http://www.royaltorbayyc.org.uk/hosted2008/fire/fireos.html

Back home now with a Cornish cream tea – and some V tired legs on the table…and who’s that on TV? It’s us lot on the news – corr we’re famous!

To his great relief Patrick escaped the dubious honour of the Duckhams award last night. Interesting to see the RTYC have a bouncer on their door – to keep riffraff out or Firefly sailors in, we’re not sure!

A clean getaway – race 2/8

A clean getaway – race 2/8

Conditions: W 15mph – 20mph in the rain squalls. Shifty.

It’s a happy chaos launching 70 boats from the slipway in Torquay, launching and tacking out of the busy, narrow harbour. The RTYC are doing a great job marshalling us and looking out for us, but it’s even more fun on the way back in!

Two races back to back today. The first is a line start for a change, and we get away nice and clean in the middle of the line with a fairly big line-sag behind us. Jonathan – you can have fun explaining that one to everyone – if in doubt ask Ellen.

In a big fleet like this it really pays to get a good start and we managed to keep the advantage around the course, finishing 9th after 1.5hrs - The reaches were superb, and the waves were great along the runs. Our first National top-10 result...stoked!

See the results at http://www.royaltorbayyc.org.uk/hosted2008/fire/fireos.html

Five Ringed Fireflies

Five Ringed Fireflies
Yachting journalist Dave Henshall delivered a fascinating account of the 1948 Torquay Olympics to a somewhat captive audience! The Firefly was chosen as the single-handed class, and working with NMMC Dave has researched the event in match-of-the-day detail and uncovered some terrific images. Exactly 60 years ago to the day, sailing singlehanded in jumpers and oilskins the sailors battled away for Olympic glory. Paul Elvstrom took gold in very similar conditions to those we have this week – decidedly un-summery!

Firefly No 1 ‘Fe’ and Peter Scott’s Olympic Monotype both received mentions, and are of course both among NMMCs collection of famous boats.

Dave’s account will be published in ‘Dinghy Sailing’ magazine out 6th August.