RS Vareo Open Meeting at Tata Steel SC

by Bob Taylor on 25 Apr 2015 At the RS Vareo Open Meeting at Tata Steel SC six RS Vareos turned up to the start line on an Easterly wind blowing 18mph gusting 25mph and as it was coming over the mountains the wind was swinging 30 degrees so the shifts were easy to spot. In the first race a late starting Cheryl Wood kept the boat upright throughout the race to come through the fleet and take the line honours from Andy Howard and Gordon Evans.

Race Two: Only four Vareos turned up to the start line in the strong winds. This race was a procession for Cheryl Wood who led from start to finish followed by Andy Howard, Gordon Evans and John Lockett.

Race Three: The wind eased for a spell and the conditions seemed to suit Andy Howard who was on the correct side of all the shifts followed by Gordon Evans who also had a good first beat. But an uncharacteristic capsize from Gordon let the fleet through. Andy kept pulling a substantial lead to the finish, followed by Cheryl Wood and John Lockett.

First race on Sunday (Race Four): The forecast was for more Easterlies but Westerlies greeted the starters. John Lockett had best of the starts and led to the windward mark. John held a commanding lead until the last off wind leg where Gordon Evans came down on a slight increase in wind to close on John. Both sailors decided to round opposite ends of the gate which allowed Gordon to gain a lift from the right and pip John to the finish. Third was a fast finishing Andy Howard.

Race Five: After an abandonment for a loss of wind and a short meal break the fleet got off to a re-run of race five. Again John Lockett had the best of the starts and lead from start to finish with no mistakes. John won from Andy Howard and Gordon Evans.

Race Six: The race started in a good Westerly breeze with John Lockett once more having the best start. After one lap and three quarters of a beat the forecast wind filled in from the East. Fortunately the majority of the fleet did not change position and the race finished on the next crossing of the finishing line.

Final Positions

1st Andy Howard - Llandegfydd SC
2nd John Lockett - Tata Steel SC
3rd Cheryl Wood - Pennine SC
4th Gordon Evans - Tata Steel SC
5th Mark Govier - Tata Steel SC
6th Alan Clarke - Tata Steel SC

 Results:

Fleet	Class	SailNo	Club	HelmName	PY	Total	Nett	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6
Vareo	VAREO	565	Llandegfedd	Andy Howard	1071	14	10	2	2	1	3	2	-4
Vareo	VAREO	285	Tata	John Locket	1071	16	11	-5	4	3	2	1	1
Vareo	VAREO	579	Pennine Sailing Club	Cheryl Wood	1071	18	13	1	1	2	-5	4	5
Vareo	VAREO	583	Tata	Gordon Evans	1071	20	13	3	3	(7.00 RTD)	1	3	3
Vareo	VAREO	607	Tata	Mark Govier	1071	30	23	4	(7.00 DNF)	7.00 RTD	4	6	2
Vareo	VAREO	275	Tata	Alan Clarke	1071	39	32	7.00 DNE	7.00 DNE	7.00 DNE	6	5	(7.00 DNF)