Firefly Weekend Report

Published 20:58 on 4 Nov 2025

Spinnaker Sailing Club's annual Firefly Weekend was run across Saturday 1^st and Sunday 2^nd November. The first day of the event is The Twisted Tube, a random pairs, bring your own boat team racing event, whilst the second day is a fleet racing open meeting, and the final event of the Firefly Class Association's Vines Series! Always a hotly contested weekend as the season closer many stalwarts of the class enter each year.

For sailors taking part in the Twisted Tube a brisk wind from the south west met them, promising a great day of racing for the 17 boats entered. Keen to get racing underway a first warning signal of 1027 was scheduled, and racing almost began on time, after a very short delay to get the final few boats launched. With 3 umpire ribs (manned by James Oborne, Mark Harrison and David Bickerton) racing swiftly progressed thanks to rapid work from the start and finish team or Robert Marshall, Neil Franklin and Fi Edwards, with some great close battles running.

There was a small challenge as the racing hit the mid-teens as Spinnaker local Max Morgan suffered a snapped rudder blade in the pre-start period for one of his races. As Max was sailing his own boat (and not supplied by Organising Authority) rule D5 did not apply, meaning that several races were affected whilst he quickly headed ashore, sourced another rudder blade and got his boat re-rigged.

There was a brief lunch break ashore, before racing resumed, in a now easing (and shifting southerly) wind. The final few races were run, before a decision was made to end racing just after 3pm in the interests of fairness, and not being caught in no wind. As sailors returned ashore heavy rain arrived, stopping the final breaths of wind!

As sailors packed up and changed results were quickly calculated by Fi (with multiple tie breaks to be resolved) before the final results were announced with Ed Smith and Gilly Phillips in 1^st place, Jamie and James Rudd-Jones in 2^nd and George Potter and Eloise in 3^rd. Sam and Victoria from Clares Court School claimed 10^th overall and 1^st Juniors.

Following the rather more challenging condition for the "Twisted Tube" team racing on Saturday, Sunday dawned still and sunny, but the expected breeze filled in from the west. Race officer, Keith McQuillin, took inspiration from the Team Racing "S" course for multiple beats, reaches and runs, setting up for 2 x 10 minute laps per race.

The course was very ably managed by Robert Marshall, the club's Rear Commodore (Sailing) and club stalwart Philip Hoggart. Neil Franklin, the club's Lead Instructor provided excellent support from the bank. Early on, the races followed that pattern almost exactly well done Keith. In glorious sunshine the racing was enjoyed by the 19 boats and was super close. Will Pank and cousin Freddie, set the pace early on, with Steve Tylecote and Tash Armstrong winning the second and fourth races, it was very close at the top.

After four races, the breeze began to die, and refreshed after lunch, the fleet returned for the 5^th race to find the breeze easing all the time, and the fleet drifted home as the breeze slipped away. After 20 minutes, the Race Officer called it a day.

At the prizegiving, Philip Tinsley (Club Commodore) thanked all the competitors for coming, and hoped they all enjoyed the close racing. Prizes were awarded to:

Fastest Junior helm Poppy A

4^th Place Paul and Finn Kameen from Bosham in 2018

3^rd Place Barney Smith Alannah Hebbert from the RAF in (2025)

2^nd Place Just one point behind 1^st Will Pank and Freddie in 1954

1^st Place Steve Tylecote and Tash Armstrong in 3037.

The top 5 boats were all beautifully restored Wooden hulls, with a Spinnaker Club Team racing boat in 6^th.

Full results can be seen here.

Last updated 20:58 on 4 November 2025