2007 Fireball Worlds August 26 - September 1
 

The 2007 Fireball World Champions   Photo: Silver Schlittler

Congratulations to Richard Estaugh and Rob Gardner, winners of the 2007 Fireball Worlds

Today the last measuremets are taking place. The fleet is up to 95 teams. The first two races of the worlds are scheduled for tomorrow afternoon...

The flags are at half staff. Mister Ronald Pieper, chief organiser unexpected died yesterday... Fleet split in groups A and B. 2 races sailed in each group. Very little Malojawind, 3 of the 4 races were shortened...

The today's opening ceremony began with one minute of silence for Mister Ronald Pieper, head of the organisers who unexpected died yesterday afternoon in middle of his work for us sailors.
The flags are at half staff. François Schluchter, Fireball commodore welcomed the competitors from 13 countries and asked them to put mourning bands on the shrouds of the boats in memory of Mister Pieper who we believe would have wanted us to continue this championship.
At the skippers meeting the fleet was split in 2 groups A and B for the regattas. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be used for qualifying. On Friday and Saturday there will be the finals for the Gold- and the Silverfleet.

There was only little Malojawind in the afternoon. 3 of the 4 races had to be shortened.

Group 1 was sent out in the afternoon but there was not enough wind to start a race. After 16:00 the rain settled in with no wind. The fleet was towed back to shore...

Even if there was no racing today sailors are having fun with the social program. Tonight there will be a BBQ despite the pouring rain.
Overnight leaders are still Australians Heather McFarlane / Chris Payne. Tomorrow first start is planned for 11:00.

Rain stopped, southwesterly wind picked up. 2 more races could be sailed in each group. Qualifying is finished now...

When the rain stopped in the early afternoon and the sky partially cleared a southwesterly wind came in and picked up to 20 knots at times. In the morning not really expected 4 races were sailed.
In Fleet 1 the podium was dominated by GBR and SUI Teams, while Fleet 2 saw GBR teams at the front only.

Race 3A: 1. Moser / Moser (SUI), 2. Mee / Wagstaff (GBR), 3. Estaugh / Gardner (GBR)
Race 3B: 1. Horey / Thompson (GBR), 2. Wade / Dunton (GBR), 3. Whitehouse / Pratt (GBR)
Race 4A: 1. Estaugh / Gardner (GBR), 2. Duvoisin / Grob (SUI), 3. Tipton / Tattersall (GBR)
Race 4B: 1. Jeffcoate / Hogan (GBR), 2. Horey / Thompson (GBR), 3. Whitehouse / Pratt (GBR)

The fleet will now be devided in a Gold- and a Silver group. The finals will be sailed on Friday and Saturday.
The pasta dinner in the evening was followed by the Belgian promotion for the European Championships 2008 in Nieuwport. Now the 'King of the valley team games' are on. People are having a lot of fun.

No sailing today. Finals start tomorrow 11:00.

There was a very gusty - up to 25 knots - and shifty northerly wind blowing the whole day. One Goldfleet race had to be abandonned. Another one could be completed. All top ten places went to GBR. Wow! Winner was the leading team Horey / Thompson ahead of Mee / Wagstaff and Edwards / Potts.
In the Silverfleet there was only one race. It was won by Priest / Pepperdine (GBR) from Boyle / Byrne (IRL) and Kelsall / Watson (GBR).

Last day! Last races! Everyone is hoping for better wind conditions today...

In the lead are Vince Horey / Andy Thompson (GBR) 4 points ahead of Richard Estaugh / Rob Gardner (GBR) and 8 points ahead of Heather McFarlane / Chris Payne (AUS).
First possible start at 11:00, last start possible 15:00. Two more races can be expected if everything is at it's best ...

In the last few minutes before 15:00 the Goldfleet had a go, Black Flag up. Still Northwind but not as gusty as yesterday, 5 to 10 knots.
First around the windward mark were Edwards / Potts. But they were overtaken by Estaugh / Gardner later. The overnight leaders Horey / Thompson were way back in the fleet. Estaugh / Gardner managed to stay in front and also win the Worlds 2007.

Final results
More pictures
 

It's classic! On Sunday there was a 20 knots Malojawind blowing from 10am till dawn... That's life!

Photo taken Sunday 11am, September 2, 2007

Alpine Challenge / International Week August 23 - August 25