Fat Face RS Vareo Circuit at Burghfield Sailing Club
by Gavin Clark 24 Apr 2007 10:10 BST
21 April 2007
Nineteen RS Vareos met at Burghfield SC in much more than 19 degrees for the inaugural event of the Fat Face circuit, many having traveled from distant clubs.
Race 1 started cleanly in generally light breeze but with strong enough gusts leading to swimming for the unlucky. Close racing was enjoyed by all wherever they were in the fleet as the wind direction meant a tight windward/leeward course across the lake. Matt Moore looked set to win after rounding the final mark but a quick tack by Nationals champ Chris Larr snatched him victory by an inch.
The traditional at BSC hospitality; lunch on the club veranda then so fortified by chilli and other delicacies - the fleet set forth for the second race in an increasing breeze. A slight change of course due to a wind change now left the fleet an interesting challenge - an island almost smack in the midst of the beat/run! Perhaps it was the chilli but more likely another wind shift 30s before the start caused most of the fleet OCS at the start and to the first ever RS Vareo general recall. Second time around the fleet was away and this time Martin Barrett won closely followed by Chris Larr with Matt Moore third.
Going in to race 3 Chris seemed best positioned to take the event. But the shifty wind near the windward mark and the difficult tactical decisions led to many place changes throughout the fleet. Dan Partington mastered the conditions to take the race followed by Matt and Martin Peters with his best result of the day.
After three races each with different winners Matt Moore showed his consistent mastery of the conditions and won the event by 2 points followed by Dan Partington and Martin Barrett. The Merit Prize was awarded to Nigel Best – who had driven a long way to his first Fat Face event. Well done Nigel.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 188 | Matt Moore | Middle Nene SC | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| 2 | 126 | Dan Partington | Bala | 3 | 5 | 1 | 9 |
| 3 | 354 | Martin Barrett | Yorkshire Dales SC | 4 | 1 | 7 | 12 |
| 4 | 361 | Chris Larr | GWSC | 1 | 2 | 11 | 14 |
| 5 | 322 | Mark Hayzelden | Burghfield SC | 7 | 7 | 5 | 19 |
| 6 | 206 | Dave Machin | Netley SC | 6 | 8 | 6 | 20 |
| 7 | 213 | Darran Smith | Teign Corinthian | 11 | 6 | 4 | 21 |
| 8 | 340 | Chris Romans | Portishead YC | 8 | 4 | 10 | 22 |
| 9 | 431 | Jim Hood | Weston | 5 | 10 | 8 | 23 |
| 10 | 261 | Martin Peters | Llandegfedd | 10 | 11 | 3 | 24 |
| 11 | 485 | Anthony Payne | Broadstairs SC | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 |
| 12 | 402 | Scott Butler | Hardway SC | 12 | 14 | 12 | 38 |
| 13 | 243 | Gavin Clark | Swanage SC | 15 | 15 | 13 | 43 |
| 14 | 263 | Chris Wood | Broadstairs SC | 19 | 12 | 14 | 45 |
| 15 | 156 | Steve Trigg | Burghfield SC | 14 | 13 | 18 | 45 |
| 16 | 148 | R Norris | HLSTC | 13 | 20 DSQ | 15 | 48 |
| 17 | 133 | Neville Champion | BC YC | 16 | 16 | 16 | 48 |
| 18 | 450 | Flora Ellis | Alton Water | 17 | 17 | 19 | 53 |
| 19 | 212 | Nigel Best | Alton Water SC | 18 | 18 | 17 | 53 |