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SELDÉN DOMINATES FIREBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

30/04/2008 00:00:00

This year’s Fireball Worlds saw the class return to Pattaya, Thailand. The event was well supported with a total of 67 entries comprising of large numbers from the United Kingdom and Australia being among the favourites to take home the title. The event was strongly contested with many past winners of major titles in attendance.

The Pre-Worlds saw a new Seldén product being used for the first time in International competition. The ALTO mast has been used by David Wade and Ben McGrane throughout the beginning of this season during the early stages of the new sections development. The ALTO offers another option to sailors filling the gap between the Cumulus and Epsilon products. Being 4-5% stiffer than the Cumulus, the new section has already recorded notable results at UK handicap events in Fireball and 505 classes.

At the Pre-worlds Wade & McGrane finished 2nd sailing with a Seldén ALTO mast. Wade commented after the event, ‘we have been impressed by this new section and how well it is already performing. With only 4 days sailing in the UK prior to this event we have not had a lot of time to tune and develop the rig, we will be working hard during the next few months to maximise the product, potentially in time for the European Championship’.

The following week the World Championships were sailed in consistent conditions with wind gradually building throughout the day from 8-10 knots to 15-16 knots by the end of the second race. The event was won by Matt Mee & Richard Wagstaff who sailed an impressive series building on their 3rd in the pre-worlds to win with a race to spare, David Wade & Ben McGrane sailed to 2nd. Both teams sailed the event with identical equipment, Seldén Cumulus masts, Olympus booms and 42mm tapered spinnaker poles.

Within the top 10 there were a further four teams using Seldén Cumulus masts showing the strength this well proven section has within the Fireball.