Introduction

The fireball is a high performance two-person sailing dinghy offering exciting sailing, intense competition and a great social life off the water. It has a wide appeal as it is simple to build, reasonably priced and not to demanding to sail.

Many fireballs are amateur-built, a good indication of the simplicity of the design. The fireball hull and sail plans are of strictly one design, but the class rules allow you to adept the position and design gear to suit your own weight and style of sailing.

Anyone can sail a fireball Age or sex does not determine ones ability to be competitive. Some countries' leading fireball sailors are women. The class also has a strong contingent of sailors over forty.

Winning fireball races is not really a question of having an amateur or professionally built, plywood or fibreglass, old or new boat, but rather comes down to mastering the art of tuning, and sailing better than your competition.

fireballs are a delight to sail in strong winds. The thrills of trapeze and spinnakers are hard to match in any type of sailboat or board. If capsized, the boats are easily righted, and can be sailed without bailing. The weight and strength of the crew is not as important as the tuning of the boat. The trapeze and sail handling requires skill rather than strength.

The fireball is an international class, with fleets in every region of the world, and associations conducts yearly World, Continental, National and State Championships.

History

The International Fireball was designed to meet a need -  to the bridge the gap between the small "family" centre boarders and the larger more expensive classes. The designer, Peter Milne, an Englishman, had these motives:

• cheapness
• simplicity to build
• unequalled performance potential for price and waterline length
• individual appearance

He achieved his aims in 1962 when the fireball was first sailed in England. The remarkable performance of his prototype was seen especially on the plane and to windward. Without any sponsorship the class grew very rapidly, first in the UK and then on the Continent (France, Switzerland, Sweden and Germany especially), in the USA, South and East Africa, Canada, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Within a very short time the need for worldwide administration became apparent and "Fireball International" had to be formed. To this body the newly formed National Associations affiliated. A constitution and detailed class rules were adopted.

The first World Championships were held in England in 1966. In 1968 the spinnaker was internationally adopted. The class was recommended by OYRU for International status and was approved in 1970. The class has been a close contender for Olympic selection. It has established a world wide reputation for its high standards of yachting administration and progressive enthusiasm.

(From the Fireball International Site)