Fireball World Championship at Pointe Claire Yacht Club - Overall

Ian Dobson and Richard Wagstaff (GBR) win the Fireball World Championship at Pointe Claire YC © Frank Miller

What a day and what a night! The fleet awoke to pouring rain but with a forecast for sunshine and wind that did not disappoint.

Race 9 got away first time in a 15 knots westerly. The wind clocked right on the first beat and Heather and Chris locked into this, rounding in first and blasting off down the broad first reach, never to be caught. Dobbo and Waggers, who had rounded in second, capsized at the leeward mark and dropped to 6th. They then sailed a spectacular beat rounding the second windward mark in 2nd and holding this to the finish. The French team of Ludo and Remy again had fantastic speed and took the 3rd spot, followed by Isaac and Olly in 4th. The battle for the title was still on!

In Race 10 the wind was building while the race committee set up for the final race. A few teams decided to head for shore, but the majority stayed out to start in 22 knots. Again, right paid and Dobbo and Waggers had a good lead by the first mark, despite nursing a damaged rudder. All teams chose to 2 sail the 1st reach, fighting gusts of 28 knots. Fireballs were reaching warp speed, bouncing over chaotic waves, and many teams took the opportunity to inspect their slot gaskets!

The 2nd reach was broader and up went the kites. Both Czech teams of Martin and Roman, and Jan and Jiri were relishing the conditions, but Isaac and Olly turned on their magic to take 2nd place, followed by Martin and Roman in 3rd.

The rudder held together, and the final race win enabled Ian Dobson and Richard Wagstaff (GBR) take the title of World Champions, with Heather and Chris (AUS), who sailed the regatta of their lives, just 4 points behind in second. The French team of Ludovic Collin and Remy Thuillier took the 3rd spot, having sailed a fantastically consistent series, discarding a 5th and a 6th.

Then on to the final competition of the day... loading the containers! The UK container narrowly beat the the European one, despite the UK team needing to work in close proximity to Isaac's under-pant garden (which he hopes to take home in hand luggage).

The evening prize giving was a sumptuous affair, with a sophisticated 5 course meal. Peter Kelly kept proceedings on track in a very entertaining manner, with the Mayor of Pointe Claire and Christina Haerdi awarding the trophies. Several crews' union prizes were presented to worthy recipients, including Urs Haerdi for taking amazing photos from the smallest inflatable boat ever, and Jean Francois Nouel (aka Cantona) for having crewed in the most Fireball World Championships... 23!

Ian Dobson, wearing his new champions lumberjack shirt, gave an entertaining speech and spoke for the fleet in thanking the organisers, the race officer, Madeleine, and her race team, and the competitors. Thanks also went to John McGuinness and Peter Kelly for entertaining us all week. What a fantastic event!

Overall Results: