2007 Godfrey Clark represented the class at the Boat Show, the gusty conditions whipping around the skyscrapers at Excel favouring the Fireball. Dutch class Chairman Alex Rijnink invited the UK fleet to contend ONK at the historic town of Hoorn, I had my first experience of racing against the Dutch there in 1984 and those memories are still some of my favourites. Clive Evans compiled a national ranking list based on events sailed the previous year, Chris Brown leading from Steve Ede, Steve Denison, Andy Davis and Vanda Young. Editor Roger Smith relinquished his role as editor to Will Loy who must have had mild concussion having already served his time in a previous decade. The class displayed three Solos at Alexandria Palace, a Speed Sails FRP hull, a Gosling and a composite by Vic Crawshaw. The real highlight was the video on loop of the EOS, filmed by Mark and Linda Lee, the ‘Ride of the Valkeries’ echoing across the hall as Solos attempted to gybe in survival conditions. Ewan Birkin-walls won the inland championship (97 entries). Jim Hunt and Steve Boon had been developing a new FRP package and this would hit the shelves late in the year. Andy Davis (below) had a stand out year in his Speed Sails Solo ‘Lazy Daisy’ culminating in the National title at Paignton. Subscription to the NSCA was raised by £1 to £16, still incredible value. Membership stood at 1136.
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