'Perfect Storm' for Vareo Welsh Championships

by Sail-World on 20 May 2009 The RS Vareo and Welsh Championships came to Llandegfedd Sailing Club for the third time, this year with six away boats adding to the nine home boats. Weather was as predicted, strong gusty winds but sunny at times and for variety the Welsh version of the 'Perfect Storm' made the lake resemble the North Sea.

Race 1 started with a dash to the windward mark following a full width of the reservoir start. Home advantage to Williams at the first mark followed by a cluster of boats taking high speed spinnaker runs down the lake. Willows and Shaw in close pursuit as the big guns enjoyed the conditions. Williams held the lead onto lap three until Willows and Shaw overhauled him to come 1st and 2nd respectively.

Race 2 started well enough but on rounding of the windward mark when the Welsh version of the 'Perfect Storm' made the lake resemble the North Sea. Force 7 gusts, most boats capsized with the OD was forced to abandon for safety reasons, and with no sight of the wind abating sailing was cancelled and competitors opted for a beer and curry in Usk organised by Mark Williams.

Sunday was predicted to be the same again but the morning session proved to be lighter winds and saw a change in the placings.

Race 3 saw a number of overly enthusiastic sailors seemingly jump to start but the race continued with a gaggle of boats rounding the marking in close formation. Willows and home sailor Symons opted to gybe to the middle of the lake and took full advantage over those hugging the bank as the wind blew them into first and second place, a position to remain unchanged through three laps to the final gun. Two wins to Willows.

Race 4 started with 90° wind shift during the start sequence with Symons once again showing good boat speed to round the mark with Willows and then Barratt. A mix up at the leeward mark with Willows rounding the wrong buoy, left Symons with a good lead chased by Barratt and Williams. Symons pulled to a sizeable lead but the shifty conditions allowed Barratt to join him and to lead. Local knowledge proved the answer on the downward leg to give Symons the win.

Lunch and then out for Race Five and Six.

Race 5 started well with Shaw and Symons turning the mark in first and second with the fleet not too far behind. The downward leg, saw 'son of perfect storm' returned to blow 80% of the fleet flat and leave a survival sail for three laps with a good win for Shaw even with a compulsory capsize.

Race 6 and the wind was in no mood to abate, blowing a good 5 gusting 6/7. Williams and Symons rounded together but Williams held onto the spinnaker to be clear ahead as he reached the leeward mark, however, with capsizes everywhere and Williams joining the swimmers, the home sailor Tinkler did well to hold it together, to see off Shaw and Willows for a deserved victory.

The two day event was well won by Willows, with Shaw a good second followed, in third by first local sailor Symons.

RS Vareo - Welsh Championships

1st Richard Willows Nottingham 1 A 1 4 3 3 12 pts
2nd G Shaw Roadford 2 A 6 6 1 2 17 pts
3rd J Symons Llandegfedd 6 A 2 1 4 5 18 pts
4th N Tinkler Llandegfedd 16 dnf A 4 5 2 1 28 pts
5th M Williams Llandegfedd 3 A 3 3 6 16 dnf 31 pts
6th C Roman Portishead 4 A 11 11 5 4 35 pts
7th M Peters Llandegfedd 9 A 8 9 9 6 41 pts
8th G Edwards Llandegfedd 8 A 10 7 8 16 dnf 49 pts
9th M Barrett Yorkshire Dales 7 A 9 2 16 dns 16 dnf 50 pts
9th A Payne Broadstairs 5 A 5 8 16 dns 16 dnf 50 pts
11th M Phillips Llandegfedd 10 A 13 15 7 16 dnf 52 pts
12th J Regan Llandegfedd 16 dnf A 7 10 16 dnf 16 dnf 65 pts
13th S Trigg Burghfield 16 dnf A 12 12 16 dnf 16 dnf 72 pts
14th T Watts Llandegfedd 16 dnf A 14 13 16 dns 16 dnf 75 pts
15th C Smith Llandegfedd 16 dnf A 15 14 16 dnf 16 dnf 77 pts

A splendid weekend sail, a bit windy at times, but a good competition at an excellent venue.