Two Irish Boats Lying in the Top Ten of the Fireball European Championship

20th September 2023

Afloat.ie Team

The dinghy park of the 70-boat Fireball European Championship at Portroz in Slovenia Credit: Frank Miller

Two Irish boats are lying in the top ten overall in the 70-boat Fireball European Championship at Portroz in Slovenia.

Josh Porter and Cara McDowell are lying 7th overall and Adrian Lee and Ossian Geraghty are in 10th place.

Claude Mermod & Ruedi Moser (Sui) lead the field after racing earlier today when one race was achieved in light and tricky airs. The fleet headed out to the race area in an excellent breeze but it faded steadily and by the start was averaging about eight knots. A decent start was crucial for clear air as was the ability to keep boats moving through flat patches.

There is an unpredictable weather forecast for the rest of the week at the Fireball European Championships in Slovenia Photo: Frank Miller

There were quite big shifts and changes in angles both upwind and offwind and differences in pressure around the course.

Lying second overall are Aussies Heather Macfarlane and Chris Payne just two points behind the Swiss team.

Third overall are Alois Verkest & Bernard Biscay of France. Vince Horey and Dave Wade are 4th on 11 points.

A general meeting in the hangar at Jk Pirat SC to discuss ideas to develop and grow the Fireball class worldwide

The team who would have initially been considered event favourites Tom Gillard & Andy Thompson were 13th in today's race and their black flag from the first race hangs over them with a 36th place total. A discard kicks in after five races, but the forecast for the rest of the week is unpredictable - marginally better than breezes to date but by no means assured.

So far only two races have been achieved in the series after three days. There have been compensations however with hot sunshine, great hospitality and a warm friendly atmosphere at Sailing Club JK Pirat.

The Irish team enjoy the Fireball Europeans crew dinner in Slovenia

The traditional crews dinner took place last night.

This was a very high-class event generously hosted by Fireball Slovenia. Today Wednesday is the lay day and there wasn't enough optimism about the forecast to abandon that in favour of racing. So it's all to play for on Thursday and Friday when the race officer will likely attempt 3 races per day, conditions permitting.

Meanwhile, team Ireland is delighted to have two boats in the top ten of a very competitive European fleet.

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Fireball: 60 years of history

Designed in 1962 by British naval architect Peter Milne, the Fireball is a two-person dinghy with spinnaker and trapeze, combining simplicity of construction, high performance and accessibility. Over the years, it has been a training ground for generations of sailors, developing skills in tactics and technique, and producing champions who later moved on to Olympic and offshore challenges. More than half a century later, it remains one of the most vibrant and passionate classes, also thanks to initiatives such as the Under 25 category, designed to engage new generations and keep the tradition alive.

At A Glance – Fireball Dinghy Specs

Crew 2 (single trapeze)
LOA 16 ft 2 in (4.93 m)
Beam 4 ft 6 in (1.37 m)
Hull weight 175 lb (79 kg)
Mast height 22.3 ft (6.8 m)
Mainsail area 108 sq ft (10.0 m2).
Jib / Genoa area 35 sq ft (3.3 m2).
Spinnaker area 140 sq ft (13 m2).