2010 Fireball International Week is Underway

7:24 PM Thu 29 Apr 2010 GMT

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.

The evening also featured a presentation of the Safaricom Kenya Trophy to the winners of Race 9 from the 2009 Fireball World Championships, Derian & Andy Scott of the UK. The trophy was unavailable to be presented at the 2009 championships, thus Fireball International and the Scott's were pleased to have it presented.

The welcome speeches were completed by the Honorable Darcy Boyce, Senator and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office as he officially declared the 2010 Fireball World Championships and International Week open.

The evening continued with entertainment provided by the Barbados Defense Force Band.

Monday morning saw the fleet of boats head out for race 1 under sunny skies and an offshore south-easterly breeze of 22 knots. Racing was postponed on Tuesdy, April 27 due to high surf hitting the launch areas at the Barbados Yacht Club, sailing had to eventually be cancelled 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.

by Noah Purves-Smith

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2010 Fireball International Week is Underway

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