RS Vareo Open at Tata Steel Sailing Club
by Bob Taylor 24 Apr 2015 14:00 BST
18-19 April 2015
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 4 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 5. 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.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 565 | Andy Howard | Llandegfedd | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ‑4 | 10 |
| 2 | 285 | John Locket | Tata | ‑5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| 3 | 579 | Cheryl Wood | Pennine Sailing Club | 1 | 1 | 2 | ‑5 | 4 | 5 | 13 |
| 4 | 583 | Gordon Evans | Tata | 3 | 3 | (RTD) | 1 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
| 5 | 607 | Mark Govier | Tata | 4 | (DNF) | RTD | 4 | 6 | 2 | 23 |
| 6 | 275 | Alan Clarke | Tata | DNE | DNE | DNE | 6 | 5 | (DNF) | 32 |
This open meeting was the second of five Magic Marine RS Vareo Grand Prix events. The next is the Great Northern Asymmetric Challenge at Bassenthwaite SC 25-26 April. See the RS Vareo website here for more details.