RS Vareo Illuminis Open at Milton Keynes Sailing Club

RS Vareo Illuminis Open at Milton Keynes © Mark Tuffnell

The annual Illuminis RS Vareo open for 2025 took place later in the year than normal over the weekend of 27/28 September with a training day on the Friday before the weekend racing. This was event 5 of the Rooster National Tour.

Friday saw 10 boats taking part in a fantastic training session led by current National Champion, Luke Fisher. We spent a long time looking at, and talking though, every part of the boat and rig, with Luke imparting his wealth of knowledge in sailing this fabulous boat, in all weathers. We all learned a huge amount from this before taking to the water to put some into practice and get some video footage to review later. With the wind dying, the second on-water session was cancelled allowing plenty more chat over pizza and beer with a few late arrivals.

Saturday's forecast of a proper southerly with decent gusts was duly delivered, allowing race office Keith King and his safety team to set a windward leeward course down the full length of Caldecotte's South Lake.

RS Vareo Illuminis Open at Milton Keynes - photo © Mark Tuffnell

With a record fleet of 18 Vareos, the afternoon produced 4 exciting races. With the classic Milton Keynes shifts and gusts, you needed to keep your wits about you at all times. The racing was close, rarely were you very far from a boat to try to catch, or someone to keep behind you. After 5 or 6 laps most races were completed within 4 to 5 minutes of first place, and with the wind directions staying constant, Keith could get the next start going quickly.

Race 1 started pretty much on time at midday. Chris Abbott took a commanding lead at the end of lap 1, having avoided 3 boats capsized at the leeward mark. Richard Foster and Luke Fisher lead the rest of the fleet in pursuit. Luke found the front during lap 2 and spent the rest of the race fighting off Stuart Bailey, Daniel Stewardson and Nigel Tinkler. At the finish, Daniel took 2nd from Stuart then Nigel. Further down the fleet there were a whole series of mini- battles with Andy Nicoll, Nicki Fisher (sailing without a spinnaker), Adrian James and me, all holding 14th at some point. The fight for 9th was also hotly contested by Dave Houghton, Nick Crickmore, Owen Bolding and Sean Muldoon.

RS Vareo Illuminis Open at Milton Keynes - photo © Mark Tuffnell

Race 2 saw a Luke Masterclass, leading from start to finish. Nigel chased hard for 3 laps before Dave found his form to finish 2nd with Nick also beginning to adjust to the conditions in 3rd. The rest of the fleet also seemed to be finding some consistency as for the most part, positions only changed by 2 or 3 places through the race.

We then took a well earned break for a magnificent spread laid on as usual by the Illuminis Shore Team of my wife Moira, sister Lu, and Marian.

Replete with amazing cake, we returned to the water for 2 more races.

Race 3 was not my finest hour! With a very port-biased line, I failed to see Andy over my shoulder just after the start and tacked right in front of him. Tacking straight back and thankfully with only a glancing kiss of our hulls, I contrived to do my turns in a small squall which saw me going backwards. Once I was going in the right direction, the fleet were already close to the top mark. On the first downwind leg, I had a big capsize with the kite up and it took 2 attempts to right before I worked out I needed to uncleat the main, d'oh. Once going I worked hard and was closing on the tail enders when Dave, having led the entire race, came past me on his last lap, meaning I was finished in last. The only saving grace was that Luke seeing me chasing after Dave thought I was somehow in second, and couldn't catch me in time - if only. Nick took 3rd. Fourteenth saw the big battle in this race with Kacper Gunia, Mike Dicker, Adrian, Richard and Andy all holding the place at some point.

RS Vareo Illuminis Open at Milton Keynes - photo © Mark Tuffnell

Race 4 was to be characterised by some significant, and very localised shifts which could produce big gains and losses very quickly. Looking at the race sheets, most sailors held a different position in almost every one of the five laps! Luke got off to a good start, chased by John Carron and Chris. A big shift at the windward mark on lap 2 saw Daniel right with him and me not far behind. I went left on the downwind leg, finding a great line that saw me right with them at the mark and well up on the remainder of the fleet. Luke and Daniel fought hard for the remaining 3 laps with Daniel taking the bullet. I was third at the final leeward mark (having a bit of a nosebleed at these dizzying heights) before a short, dry capsize allowed Chris past. At the other end, Kacper, Mike, Nicki and Serena Stewardson we're having a ding dong, trading places all the way through.

The fleet and volunteers enjoyed a fish and chip supper followed by apple crumble, washed down with a beer or two. Looking around the club room there were a lot of weary faces! Much of the discussion of the day was of the "if only..." variety.

Sunday's forecast was light with a big swing during the morning. On the day a little more wind arrived to start with, and with a slight reset of the course we were ready for the scheduled 3 races. Owen had looked at the forecast, and water, and decided to call it a day.

Race 5 was a bit of a lottery, trying to find any way of keeping the boat heading in the right direction. Dave got off to a good start but slipped back to 8th over the 3 laps. Conversely, Nick in 6th after lap 1 found something downwind to take the bullet from Chris, also making up 7 places in 2 laps. Nicki showed that the spinnaker was a handicap by taking 3rd in front of Luke giving the fleet much to comment on!

With the wind swinging about 50 degrees there was a short pause while Sunday's RO Andy Curtiss had the course relaid across the lake. Race 6 was a complete floater that turned into another Fisher master class - but this time it was Mrs F who lead the way from start to finish, and into the top spot in the Silver Fleet. Luke was never far behind to take 2nd, and 3rd went to Nigel after a close fight with Dave.

With no sign of any more wind, racing was abandoned for the day and we headed ashore for lunch, cake and prize-giving.

Sadly, the mayor of Milton Keynes was unable to attend due to ill health, but I had invited Councillor Mick Legg who holds the cabinet brief for sport on the council and he happily agreed to strand in to award the prizes. No mean feat as everyone gets a prize at this event!

RS Vareo Illuminis Open at Milton Keynes - photo © Mark Tuffnell

RS Vareo Illuminis Open at Milton Keynes - photo © Mark Tuffnell

Huge thanks to our tour sponsors Rooster, to Sally at the RS Class Association for her support in the admin, to Illuminis for their generous sponsorship of catering and prizes, to all of the MKSC volunteers and of course to the Shore Team.

Footnote: Huge thanks to Paul North for organising not just this event, but for his tireless work as RS Vareo Class Chair

Overall Results: