Chips Howarth & Vyv Townend have won the 2010 Fireball International Week regatta with 2 first place finishes on the final day of racing.  Chips described the racing as picture perfect conditions – a strong breeze, warm water, nice waves, sunshine, and enough shifts to make the racing tactically challenging.

Boats from Great Britain took all three spots on the podium, plus fourth place, to completely dominate the first week of racing.  David Edwards & Simon Potts were narrowly edged out of first today after leading the regatta, and ended up in 2nd place, while Kevin Hope and Russel Thorne took 3rd place.  In fourth were David Wade and Tim Saunders.  In fifth place were Ben Shulz and Phillip Bowley from Australia.

Complete results can be found here.

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The common sentiment heard among competitors was that the conditions were shifty and tricky. A lead could quickly evaporate, and by the same token, there was always room to move up in the fleet by paying close attention to puffs and shifts. “Snakes & Ladders” was how Matt Burge & Richard Wagstaff (GBR), winners of race 3 described it.

After 3 races, British boats are holding the top 2 spots with DJ David Edwards in 1st, followed by Kevin Hope and Russel Thorne. Australians Ben Shulz and Phillip Bowley currently sit in 3rd.

Full results are available here.

Racing was postponed on April 27.  Due to high surf hitting the launch areas at the Barbados Yacht Club, sailing had to be postponed for the day.  The surf made safe launching of committee boats and competitor boats impossible.

With no racing scheduled for Wednesday, April 28, the next races have been scheduled for Thursday, April 29.  In an effort to make up lost races on the schedule, the start time has been moved to 11:00 AM on Thursday, with 3 races scheduled instead of 2.

Results are posted for International Week Day 1.  Click here.

Flags of all competing countries - photo by Peter Marshall

Racing has started for the 2010 Fireball International Week.

The Barbados Yacht Club hosted a fabulous opening ceremony on Sunday night to kick things off.  The evening started with a procession of flags from all of the competing countries, carried by the girls of Digicel.

Warm words of welcome were offered by Penny McIntyre, President of the Barbados Sailing Association, Francois Schluchter, Commodore of Fireball International, Commodore Francis Godson of the Barbados Yacht Club, and David Rice of the Barbados Tourism Authority.

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Fireball International is delighted that flights from Europe have now been reinstated.  Fireball International was aware that two of the flights canceled were carrying people to the Championships.  As a result of the Barbados Government working closely with Fireball International  and Virgin Atlantic these people have had their flights rescheduled as a priority and will reach the event in good time.

We are pleased to report that all containers have arrived safely and were unloaded at the Barbados Yacht Club smoothly and without problems.  Peter Marshall has prepared this document with some photos of the container unloading.

Container Arrival at BYC (pdf)

With just over a week to go before the start of International Week, there are now over 70 entries from 15 countries registered for the 2010 Fireball World Championships, including the latest entry from Russia.

Update

The specific Running Order for the Prime Minister’s Reception at Illaro Court is available to download here in pdf format: Illaro Court Reception – April 29, 2010 Running Order.

There will be a dress code for the Prime Minister’s reception.  The reception is being held at the residence of Barbados Prime Minister, Hon. David Thompson.  The dress code provided by Bajan authorities is as follows:

We use a term “elegantly casual” what that really means no shorts – FOR MEN – long pants with a short sleeve shirt is fine no slippers – Ladies regular dress or slacks – . “Smart Casual” is another term.

The complete social programme is available here.

To ensure all boats are measured in time for racing on Monday time slots for measurement have been allocated to boats.  These have been allocated to take account of flight arrival dates and the dates containers will be opened.  In particular boats in GBR containers have been allocated in order they appear on the container schedule.  This is at the request of the container organiser.

The timetable is available for viewing and download here.