Following the death in 2008 of well known yachting journalist and Fireball designer Peter Milne, a Memorial Open Regatta event has been dedicated in his honour. It will be held on Sunday 26th April 2009 at Hayling Island Sailing Club.

“Peter Milne was a remarkable man who achieved much in the world of sailing, as a designer and latterly as technical journalist. However he will always be remembered principally for the design of the Fireball,” said Steve Chesney.

“In 1962 anything seemed possible in engineering. Radical designs were appearing from all quarters, cars like the Mini and Porsche 911, supersonic planes and of course moon rockets. The Fireball ranks amongst the great pieces of design from that era… the original concept has stood the test of time.”

The regatta coincides with the Glyn Charles Pursuit race also at HISC on the Saturday. A dinner is planned for Saturday evening.

Peter died, aged 73, at his Chichester home last summer. 

He designed over 40 types of dinghies, cruisers and powerboat. Other designs included the Mirror 14 Marauder, the Skipper range of dinghies, the Nicholson 26, 27, 37 and 40, along with the 26.5ft Salty Dog, 23ft Salty Pup, 22ft Outlaw and 28ft Stag. Peter also worked as technical editor of Yachting World and later became, editor of Classic Boat magazine.


For more information on the regatta, please visit including the Notice of Race:
www.fireballsailing.org.uk/fixtures/event_detail.php?fixture_id=32