RS Games - RS Vareo Nationals at Weymouth - Overall

RS Games - RS Vareo nationals day 2 © Mike Rice / www.fotoboat.com

RS Games - RS Vareo nationals day 3 © Steve Bell / www.fotoboat.com

Day 1

The fleet go out with high hopes on a lovely sunny afternoon but once at the start area it becomes apparent that the wind has dropped considerably. Race 1 started with a port biased line which caused some OCS queries. The fleet was fairly evenly spread at the first mark with Andrew Wilson narrowly in the lead. The wind continued to die on the first run & then shifted 180 degrees & refilled from behind. The course was shortened with Wilson first, Mark Somerville in 2nd & Chris Moore 3rd.

There was a short delay before race two whilst the course was re set. As before gains on either side of the beat were evened out by the first mark. Wilson narrowly lead Richard Willows until the 2nd beat when Willows took some good shifts to pull through. The wind started to drop & the pursuing fleet closed the gap but Willows held on from Wilson with Somerville 3rd.

Racing was abandoned for the day when the wind completely died.

Day 2

The day started with rain & the wind performing gyrations in the harbour area. As the rain eased the wind settled & the fleet were released. The port biased line resulted in clean start. Good speed allowed Wilson & Willows to lead the way. Willows took the lead on the 2nd beat by taking a lift up the shore. As the wind increased Willows extended his lead downwind to win comfortably from Wilson & Ian Jubb (Jubby)

The 2nd race of the day was almost a carbon copy of the first race but with Willows in front & Wilson overtaking on lap 2 with the inside shift & Geoff Shaw took 3rd.

Jubby was a contender for the Duckhams prize after a toestrap beakage took him from the front to the back of the fleet.

The wind freshened to a good force 3 for the next race. Wilson & Sommerville lead the fleet whilst Willows gained downwind to get back to 3rd. Sommerville fell out of his boat & let Willows through to 2nd. At the finish Mike Cowan missed the gate whilst disputing water/room, then capsized & finished whilst hanging onto the transom of his boat with the kite still flying !

For the next race the committee boat moved further along the breakewater to reset the course as the sea breeze filled in. Somerville & Wilson came out good form the port end of the fleet. The wind dropped again as the sea breeze fought the gradient. The committee boat finished the fleet at the windward mark. Sommerville convincingly won from Wilson & Jubby.

Day 2 Video (by fotoboat)

Day 3

A bright sunny morning with a light SE wind, race 7 started promptly with Willows & Yardley tacking off quickly to lead up the right side, but Ceri Thomas (333) found good speed up the middle along with Symons & Wilson. Willows rounded the first mark alongside Thomas, but both were overtaken by Symons on the run. On the next beat Symons held his lead, just followed by Willows & Wilson at the windward mark & Somerville closed up to 5th just behind Thomas. On the run, Wilson & Willows were neck & neck, but Willows gybed off to protect his position as Somerville came up fast with a puff, so Symons, Wilson, Willows at the finish.

Race 8: A clean start in a slightly lighter breeze, with fleet evenly spread across the course. At the first mark Wilson had a narrow lead over Symons & Mike Cowan, with Thomas & Somerville close behind. At the end of the beat, Wilson still held a narrow lead over Symons, but Somerville had closed to 3rd & Willows to 4th. In a light wind final run, Somerville crept past Symons to take 2nd.

Wilson's win ensured he would win the Championship, but Willows & Somerville were very evenly placed for 2nd & 3rd overall.

Race 9 After a small delay, race 9 started in increased wind. Willows spotted a port end bias & was able to back up a number of boats at the committee end to give himself a good gap. Nick Crickmore executed a clever port tack start to clear the fleet, Willows tacking shortly afterwards to find himself being lifted in increasing breeze to give a 100yd lead at the first mark, followed by Crickmore & Wilson. On the first run, Crickmore lost out by going shoreside, & Willows & Wilson were able stretch away over next two laps.Symons came in third ahead of a tight gaggle of Thomas, Jubby & Crickmore. Willows' win ensured a comfortable 2nd place with two Grandmasters taking 1st & 2nd overall.

Many thanks to the Saling Academy for letting us come to such a great event, the race team led by Peter Aitkin who got us through our programme with efficiency & good humour & our calss secretaries Heather & Debbie who have worked tirelessly during the event to make sure it all happened smoothly, very many thanks.

Overall Results: