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The 2011 SA Fireball Nationals
As witten for Sailing Magazine and published in the November 2011 Edition
The Fireball Class of South Africa was very happy to finally make a National Championships happen this year on 22nd and 23rd October at Hermanus Yacht Club, even though Mother Nature seemed to be against us again!
The competitors had been checking the wind forecast through the week leading up to the Nationals, and it was not looking positive in terms of making the event happen – somewhere in the region of 40 knots from the NW was predicted - pretty unheard of for this time of year at Hermanus! Although the forecast through the week looked more and more positive as it got to Friday, it was still certainly not looking like it was going to be a light or even moderate wind regatta.
The competitors all got to Hermanus Yacht Club on the Friday afternoon, and the grass in front of the club was alive with Fireballers rigging their boats as Hermanus Lagoon put on an exquisite sunset on a beautiful, windless evening. The Fireball Class members are a social and fairly close bunch, and everyone braaied together with the HYC members that night, talking about the regatta that lay ahead. One of the reasons the class chose Hermanus as a venue is that it is perfect for families – and not a chore at all for wives and children to tag along.
The Fireball Class in South Africa, which had been quiet for many years, is certainly growing again. The class was hoping for twenty entries at this year’s Nationals, but due to Matric exams, some new owners still settling into their boats and a few boats being refurbished that were not quite ready, the final entry number was thirteen.
The growth in the class has meant that many new sails had been recently ordered and a couple of new boats bought and older boats refurbished.
It was great this year to have entries from experienced Fireballers Rick Nankin, who has won many SA Nationals and sailed many Fireball Worlds, and Doug Alison. The class is hoping to see more of SA’s experiences Fireball sailors back on the water.
On Saturday morning there was very little wind as the competitors went out for their 11h00 start, although they knew it was going to build later. For an hour or more, it was impossible for Race Office Di Hutton-Squire to set a course, as the winds came from every conceivable direction, from three knots from one direction, to as much as 25 knots with a 180 degree switch, and back to three knots from the first direction. Finally, after more than an hour, the wind settled down to a good 30 knots WNW and building, putting an end to the chance of any racing on the first day. In the two hours or so that the sailors were out on the water, there was already much capsizing and swimming, and a relived fleet came in and went about the business of enjoying Hermanus Yacht Club, fiddling with their boats and rig settings, the Fireball AGM, and a great festive class dinner in the evening, attended by all the sailors, regatta officials, helpers and their families.
Di Hutton-Squire must be the most tenacious Race Officer ever – the wind conditions always seem to jinx her when a Fireball Nationals come along, but this year, along with the sailors, Di was determined to make a Nationals happen! So it was agreed that racing would start at 08h30 on Sunday morning, in order to get as many races in as possible – and it was a good call. At 08h00 the wind was already around 15 knots, building pretty steadily so that the gusts were already 25 knots or so in the first race. The fleet got in four races – two windward/leewards and two Olympic courses, by which time the wind was gusting close to 30 knots and the fleet were exhausted (if they had not retired!). It was clear that the four races were going to be this year’s Nationals. From the beginning, Rick Nankin and Warren Schmelzer dominated the sailing, sailing a beautiful regatta and winning three of the four races. Fireball Class Chairman Anthony Parker and crew Ferdinand Holm were close behind and managed one first place and three second places. There was also some great sailing from the rest of the fleet, who are to be commended on embracing the difficult conditions with gusto, and sailing really great races. Needless to say, the sailing was exciting and very fast, and tested the mettle of both sailors and boats. Again, there were many capsizes, but as a whole, the Fireballs flew - they are indeed very fast boats and handle really strong wind conditions very well at the hands of a good helmsman and crew. Di admitted that it was torture for her watching the sailing from the bridge boat – she wanted to be out there, screaming along with the sailors! In the end young Luke Wagner from PYC, with crew Anthony McMillan, sailed a great regatta to come third.
It was great to see Rick Nankin back on a Fireball and winning a Nationals again – and both Rick and Warren, experienced Fireball sailors, showing the youngsters how it is done.
With so many boats being bought and renovated as the Fireball becomes more and more popular in South Africa, the Fireball Class is expecting over 20 entries at next year’s Nationals… now is definitely the time to buy or renovate a Fireball!
A huge thank you for a great regatta goes to the event sponsors, Quantum and Harken; Hermanus Yacht Club for all their hard work and hosting such a great regatta; Race Officer Di Hutton-Squire and Assistant race Officer Shereen Smith and the bridge crew, rescue crew and mark layers, and most certainly to Fireballers Warren Schmelzer, who drove all the way from Johannesburg; Luke Wager, Anthony McMillan and Jean-Marc George, who drove all the way from Durban, and Mike Medcalf who drove all the way from East London.
The class looks forward to seeing many Fireballs on the water in the next year!
For more information on the Fireball Class, contact Class Chairman Anthony Parker at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Class Secretary Kirsten Veenstra on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or go to www.fireballsailing.co.za
Final Results:
1st: Rich Nankin and Warren Schmelzer (ABYC)
2nd: Anthony Parker and Ferdinand Holm (GLYC)
3rd: Luke Wagner and Anthony McMillan (PYC)
4th: Ryan Avery and Janine Mare (MAC)
5th: Paul Allardice and Mark McLeod (MAC) – also 1st Wooden Boat
Fireball makes Sailing Cover
Featured Picture
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Piet van Schie's photo of a Fireball Regatta in 1974 - somewhere in Gauteng. |
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