Irish Fireball Munster Championships at Monkstown Bay Sailing Club

 

The Irish Fireball Munster Championships were held last weekend on April 20th/21st at Monkstown Bay Sailing Club in stunning weather conditions.

It had seemed like a long time coming but alas the wait was finally over and the eve of the first event of the season for the Fireball class had arrived. Months of harsh winter sailing had been endured and so the event at Monkstown Bay was met with much enthusiasm and excitement from the Fireball sailors.

Sailors travelled from all over Ireland to attend, such as Dublin, Sligo, Wexford, Kerry and Cork, to name a few.

The first morning of the championship in Monkstown was a spectacular sight. Twenty-five Fireballs were packed in to the dinghy park with competitors rigging at speed, eager to hit the water. Covers were folded away and sails unrolled. The crinkle of fresh spinnakers and sounds of enthusiastic chat were heard from all over. The atmosphere was bright and cheerful, the water a sparkling blue. The wind was warm and the sun was high, with a light sea breeze starting to fill in across the harbour. The air thrummed with anticipation while busy volunteers prepared for the day's racing.

Day two of the championship opened in a similar fashion. A lazy sun hung low over the bay and the sky was blue. The harbour was as still as a mill pond. A low tide made the bay look small but the birds sang and the water was inviting. The competitors arrived early, bulling to hit the water and get racing. The start was set an hour earlier than the day previous. The wind was due to fill in from the East, just in time for the first race.

Sails were hoisted and colourful spinnakers dried. Onlookers and supporters sat by, enjoying the spectacle.

After six exciting races over the weekend the prizes were presented by MBSC's commodore Jacqui O'Brien.

Winning the Fireball Munster Championships (and their first Fireball event) were Ewen Barry and Sandy Rimmington of the host club.

Second place went to Nicola Ferguson and Thomas Chaix of the National Yacht Club, competing in their first event as a team.

Third place went to Noel Butler and Stephen Oram of the National Yacht Club.

Winning the silver fleet were Brian Jones and Barry O'Connor of MBSC, in their first Fireball event.

Second place in the silver fleet went to Colm and Cormac Breene of DMYC. Third place in silver went to Paul ter Horst and Pat McGoldrick, also of DMYC.

Winner of the Classic trophy for his recent restoration of his Fireball named "Whiskey" went to 16 year old Sean O'Herlihy from Iniscarra Sailing and Kayaking Club, sailing with his new helm Frances Corkery of the same club.

This concluded the first event of the season for the Fireball Class. The championship was an extreme success, with sailors coming from all over the country. The weather could not have been better, the atmosphere could not have been happier. No fleet will match the Fireballs for their comradeship, friendliness, kind nature, and value. The class continues to grow rapidly as the people in our little country are quickly realising the boat that they have been missing throughout their lives is- a Fireball!