Fireball Fleet.

Victoria, February 22 nd.

Frozen Assets is usually a welcome event, being that its held in February, and the rest of the country is firmly enveloped in its seasonal downy white trappings. But even the temperate left-coast weather is a bit of a shock having recently returned from the rather warmer climes of Australia.

With three Fireballs not a day out of the return shipping container, the weekend of racing was superb. A brisk northerly (with a bit of east in it) swept across the flat water of Cadboro Bay, and with clear skies revealing the distracting image of Mt. Baker from the start line, we were all pleasantly reminded of why we love sailing here.

The race committee was superb, running back-to-back races (very important to help avoid chilling the competitors) with wonderfully square lines and a course that forced us to squeeze every tactical advantage out of the shifty Cadboro bay winds.

Having just returned from the Worlds, the crews of Tangeroo, I.M.P.S. and Rainmaker were well worked up and keen to demonstrate their recently honed skills. Starts were aggressive and challenging even with only three boats - we all wanted the same spot on the line and were all arriving there at the same time, with crews in full trapeze mode and boats planing as the flag dropped. After four excellent races in 12 to 16 knots, Tangeroo helmed by Jamie Cox with Simon Pearson was leading with 7 points. I.M.P.S. had 8 points, and Rainmaker was nipping their heels with 9.

Sunday gave us the same conditions again, though with slightly more range in velocity of the wind and a bit of high cloud cover. Cam Lee and Will Brooke in Rainmaker managed to grind down Tangeroo for their second first of the weekend, and the race committee kept us honest with what must be a first; a general recall for a fleet of three! (I told you the starts were aggressive!) Dave Richardson and Rob Thompson in I.M.P.S. managed to grab first place after seven races with their consistent performance. Only three points separated the fleet, a sure sign of the level of competition in our local fireballers.

With the 2006 Fireball World Championships on the horizon, the local fireball fleet is anticipating two years of training and 'stepping up' to greet the international competition on our home turf. Fireballers from the past, present, and the next generation alike are coming out of the woodwork to sail and support one of Victoria's long standing, consistently fun and fast, one-design fleets. Dates for the large regatta's are posted on the Fireball North American website. Come out and have a 'Ball!

Will Brooke

(CAN14568 - Rainmaker)