Firefly National Championships 2024 at Restronguet Sailing Club - Runners and Riders
by Alex Baxter 18 Jul 04:18 NZST
27 July - 2 August 2024
Start line action - Firefly Nationals at Lyme Regis © NFA
With a week and a half to go until the 78th Firefly National Championship at Restronget Sailing Club from the 27th of July to the 2nd of August, it is time to look at the sheer quality of the entry list.
Across the 69 entrants, there are seven former national champions and sixteen helms who have previously won national championship races. This does not mention the two national champions sitting on the committee boat and directing us across the Carrick Roads.
In the spirit of the class, which is now evenly split between 'the oldies' and 'the youth', Runners and Riders will be ripping up the traditional shoe-ins of the Firefly Fleet.
Indeed, as many of the older members' waistlines have expanded and their cheque-books diminished, their children have been getting faster and faster, with the hours of Oppie, Mirror, 420, 29er and 49er training has been paying off, much to their own demise. Change is afoot in the fleet, and 'the oldies' have only one option - sail faster and fight!
Generously supported by Craftinsure, Ovington Boats, Hyde Sails, Selden, Marlow Ropes, Sail Boat Trailers and Allen Brothers, these competitors have a serious hall of prizes to compete for and even more fun to be had along the way.
The Oldies
Ben Lumby and Liz Evans F2659 - 'Kong'
The title of most likely 'Oldie' is perhaps a bit unfair to Ben, as he isn't 'quite' as old as the rest of the people in this category. However, with local knowledge and a strong second place at the South Western Championships back in May - more on that event later - Ben and Liz are impossible to underestimate. Coming second back in 2015 when we were last at this venue, and having won nine championship races, we know they are fast enough. Some say performance heavily depends on whether Ben's back can last full weeks of sailing. Still, if the wind is between 12-18mph, this Cornish pair are unbelievably consistent and difficult to beat.
Steve Tylecote and Tasha Hughes F3037 - 'Grasshopper'
The band is back together. Having suffered Steve back in his mild-mannered youth, Tash has decided to team back up with this wily old competitor. With a mere 30 national race wins, three national titles, and countless team racing accolades, Steve and Tash will be quick, come what may. Having wrestled his beloved Grasshopper back from son Ben, they will be fiercely competitive as always.
Jono Pank and Helena Lucas MBE F1954 - 'Pogie'
Tired of losing to nephew Will, Jono has done his utmost to get his hands back on a trophy he hasn't won since 2013 by once again signing two-time Olympic medallist Helena Lucas. This pair will be one to watch after narrowly missing out on the 2019 nationals at Lyme. Some say he deliberately lent his beloved Pogie to daughter Erin recently so she could break any weaknesses before the Nats. It's impossible to know who oversees navigation in this boat, but Jono rarely goes the wrong way up the first beat, and Helena has the best CV in the fleet.
Nigel Wakefield and Emily Saunderson F3007 - 'Tip Top Too'
Nigel and Emily have a claim that few can make - that they won a race at last year's nationals and weren't called Will Pank. Having won the nationals twice before and being always consistent, Nigel and Emily are a force to be reckoned with. If it's light to medium breeze, they are as good a bet as any for the win overall and are assured to be challenging for races.
Stuart and Lizzie Hudson F3850 - 'Fursty Ferret'
It feels tough to justify Stuart and Lizzie being this far down on the list. Stuart has won more Firefly Nationals Championships and races than any other sailor in our 78-year history. However, form hasn't been on 'The Huds' side recently, but don't underestimate this fiercely competitive sailor, back in his trusted Fursty Ferret this year, and with new light-weight crew Lizzie. Stuart is more than capable of winning overall, let alone races. As ever, his biggest enemy is probably himself - or brown ale - so if daughter Lizzie can coach him around the course, he'll be near the front end of the fleet.
Ones to watch
Perhaps unlikely to win the title overall, there is a vast category of 'Oldies' who can win races and wouldn't surprise anyone if they finished in the top five.
- Jamie and Ben McEwen F3615 'Skirmish' - after finishing second last year and being the 'most improved', they are seriously one to watch. Jamie is an incredibly consistent sailor and an all-round-great guy. Some say he gets quicker the smaller his children in the front get.
- Rob and Mel Sherrington F3617 'Iris'. Rob is Jamie's old university teammate and is a seriously quick sailor. This pair haven't done a nationals since 2014, and in my opinion, it could be the surprise package of the nationals.
- Angus Cook and Lucie Hopkins F3695 'Officer Dibble' - If Angus were as good at sailing as he is fancy dress - or did as much prep - he'd be right at the top of this list. Will we have 'Good' or 'bad' Ken on the start line with 69 boats this year? Having last won a race at Tenby in 2022, this pair are usually near the front of the fleet and secured a 6th overall at Felixstowe last year.
The Youth
Will Pank and Steve Carver F999 - 'Alarm'
The only reason these pair haven't been featured sooner in this article is due to the author's chosen formatting. There was a severe risk this pair could've won the nationals last year with a complete picket fence. They are that good. While Will is competing in the 49er at the youth worlds and has been sailing as much as ever, rumour has it that Steve has been yachting and sticking all the wood back onto Alarm. The only thing that may stop them from defending their title this time around is that Restronget is a very different venue from Felixstowe.
Jamie Tylecote and Alice Lucy F3746 - 'Tic Tac'
Jamie and Lucy have had a very successful year between them. Competing against each other for Loughborough and Exeter, respectively, they fiercely competed on the team racing circuit. Jamie is the reigning UKTRA champion and runner-up at the BUSA team racing finals, whilst Alice finished third at BUSA and won the BUSA Lifetime Contribution Award. Don't be surprised to see this pair near the front of the fleet and continue changing things at the top.
Ben Tylecote Lucy Cox F3671 - 'Purple Doris'
Narrowly missing out to brother Jamie, the BUSA fleets winner (with Alice) is one to watch out for seriously. Ben is a fiercely competitive sailor and represented Team GB at the World Sailing Youth Match Racing World Championship down under. He, too, finished third at the BUSA team racing finals and could shock some more experienced heads at this year's event.
Ones to watch out for
- Finian Morris and Robbie Hudson F3119 'Horror' - Finn would be on the list of potential winners if he didn't have to leave after Wednesday. Current Southwestern Champion (they spanked everyone) and presenting team GB at the current Youth Worlds, Finn and Robbie are a serious pair and will be for many decades. Depending on whether God wants to make Thursday and Friday un-sailable, they will win races and have a very outside chance of winning overall.
- Gordon Cogan Sivarajan and Lizzy Linsdell F2246 'Scruffy' - Reigning BUSA team racing champions Gordon and Lizzy are an outside shout to be near the front end of the fleet. Having stolen a Firefly for the week, I hope the fleet will make a warm impression on this Scottish-American pairing. Lizzy has an unbelievably good college (US) racing CV, and Gordon is an excellent laser sailor, getting 2nd and 3rd in races at the 2023 national champs. Some say they also have a seriously quick Firefly (if they win a championship race in it before I do, I'll be fuming). Their lack of firefly fleet racing experience may be their only weakness.
- Thommie Grit and Alice Bradford F2294 'Nerapi' - Thommie is an outstanding sailor, carrying the American torch within 'The Young' category. Unlike Gordon, Thommie has been hitting the Firefly opens hard this year and has claimed, 'I can't believe how fast these old people go', expressing frustration that he can't make a Firefly go as fast as a Laser. Will the larger, more expansive waters of Restronget bring him more joy?
- Dr Jenny Smallwood and Dr Phil F3625 'Squabbling Phoenix' - Numerous open meeting wins, numerous Inland wins, yet the fleet's favourite couple has never quite got it together at nationals. If the wind is light and sh*te, this pair are a serious force. After having their boat repaired following the Felixstowe carnage and rumours of a new jib, they are always one to watch out for (if Phil can stay off the beers).
The week looks jam-packed with fun, with lots of socials planned, close racing assured, and the Firefly fleet's usual sense of humour on full show.
Full details of the social, race and activities are available at www.restronguetsc.co.uk or contact the Firefly class organisers at