Above image of the event taken by Sadhbh Murphy
Barry MacCartin and Conor Kinsella are the 2025 Fireball National Champions after six races at the very picturesque location Tralee Bay SC, Fenit, Co Kerry over the weekend. A strong fleet of Twenty-three Fireballs competed in a breezy event notable for the breakthrough of young talent at the top end of the results table.
Racing was scheduled for Friday, the opening day of the three-day event, but the forecast always looked marginal and there were no surprises when racing was cancelled for the day in the late afternoon with gusts approaching 30 knots matched with a disturbed sea state. Saturday’s forecast was just a touch lighter and the IRO , Michael Tyrrell, made good on his promise to get the maximum five races in.
Courses for the event were the preferred Olympic Triangle type with an offset finish which suited the fleet. The five races completed on Saturday were typically about 45 minutes in duration and were a lot to handle for the race team and for competitors alike but remarkably efficient race turnarounds made for a great if intense day’s sailing. Sailors returned ashore on Saturday evening tired but happy and enjoyed a barbeque and refreshments in the club bar.
Sunday morning witnessed more fresh conditions which built steadily throughout the morning. The result was one more race before the wise decision to send the fleet ashore was made and the series was completed.
Special mention must go to Cormac Murphy, Commodore of TBSC and the very many volunteers who made the event possible. To our race officer, Michael Tyrrell, who wins the prize for the fastest turnarounds we have seen, all the time while keeping the course square and the sailors honest. To Ailbe Millerick, National Judge who travelled to oversee rules and protests and to John Lovett from Cleveland, a veteran of the 1970 worlds in Fenit, who travelled back to TBSC to present the prizes and reminisce with friends on that historic Worlds.
This arrival of new talent competing at the Nationals, coupled with renewed interest in the class worldwide thanks to a design refresh, augurs very well for the future of the class in Ireland and internationally.
Next up on the Fireball agenda is the World Championship on Lake Garda this month where ten Irish boats will be competing in what is turning into a giant event of well over 130 competitors. After that comes the Ulster Championship at Mullaghmore SC 20th & 21st September. And there are even rumours of a final Autumn Open event to wrap up what has been another remarkable year for Fireballs in Ireland and Internationally.