Thompsons Lead Irish as Fireball Worlds Heats Up on Lake Garda

26th August 2025

Afloat.ie Team

DMYC's Frank Miller and Ed Butler from Dun Laoghaire competing at the Fireball World Championship on Lake Garda, where the 136-boat fleet is battling strong winds and tight competition. Credit: Elena Giolai

Daniel and Henry Thompson remain the top Irish crew at the Fireball World Championship in Lake Garda. The brothers are 15th overall after six races and continue to lead the Under-25 category.

Close behind are Conor Twohig and Matthew Cotter in 21st, while Ed Butler and Iso Inan hold 30th. Other Irish boats include Josh Porter and Cara McDowell in 42nd, and Chris Bateman with Lucy Loughton in 56th.

The 136-boat fleet faced steady southerly Ora winds on Tuesday, with gusts up to 18 knots. Two races were sailed, bringing the total to six, with the first discard now applied. Download full results below.

A drone shot of the Fireball World Championship on Lake Garda, where the 136-boat fleet is battling strong Ora winds and some tight competition Photo: Elena Giolai

Britain’s DJ Edwards and Vyv Townend top the standings with eight points. They are followed by Swiss pair Yves Mermod and Maja Siegenthaler, the leading mixed crew, on 13 points. Australians Brendan Garner and Ben O’Brien are third with 18.

Racing continues on Thursday after Wednesday’s rest day. The championship concludes on Friday, 29 August, when the new Fireball World Champions will be crowned.

Downloads

Provisional Results_26-08-2025.pdf (93 Downloads)

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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).