Debbie Kirkby (GSC) and Robert Levy (Montreal) win US Fireball National Championship Regatta at Clearwater Community Sailing Center in Florida.

"After 11 races and 1 throw out Robert and I dug deep to win by 1 point. Thanks to Pat Crump and crew Chris for pushing this right to the last race!
A great 3 days of sailing in an awesome venue!"

Results

This is Debbie's second National Championship title THIS YEAR! The first was the Canadian Fireball Championship in July in British Columbia.

It was an historic three days of racing at Cowichan Bay. It was an honor to have Martin Herbert racing with crew Greg Slakov. Martin and brother Graham, won the first Fireball Canadian Championship in 1965 and then also in '67, '68, '69 and 1972. Sailing in his cherished home built boat, KC 1205, he captured two 3rd's and a 4th, finishing in seventh, proving he still competes with skill and cunning. Bob Lewis, winner in 1973 and 1976, sailing with Francis Thompson, finished 5th overall with two seconds on the final day. Not bad for someone not having been in a fireball for more than 25 years. Not wanting to miss out on the "old timer's" reunion, Matt Law decided to come and was rewarded with 4th overall and 1st in the Classic boat division. Another multiple past winner, Rupert Holmes-Smith, was also in attendance but in an official capacity as PRO.

It was a unique and wonderful event to have 6 past winners including, Ken Tichkowsky, Robert Thompson, Jamie Cox and Debbie Kirkby all competing.

Thank you to all that made the effort to attend and contribute to a truly memorable regatta!

Veteran Calgary sailor Christopher Lemke and crew won their division of the prestigious TransPac Yacht Race after 12 grinding days of sailing across the Pacific.  The multinational crew included Watch Captain Brad Lawson from Denver CO, Alan Carley from Victoria BC and Andrew Nelson from Tacoma, WA (left to right).

“We’re proud to represent Calgary and the Glenmore Sailing Club on the international stage”, says Lemke.  “Although we’re the smallest boat in the race, if the conditions are right we’re hoping to pull off a strong performance.  The boat is made for a downwind race like this.  It really takes off when we hoist that big spinnaker and start surfing those beautiful Trade Wind swells."

Read updates from the Pacific during the race...