Laser Vago Open at Banbury Sailing Club
by Steve Hopkins 4 May 2010 16:54 BST
1 May 2010
Light winds for the 12 teams at the Banbury Vago open © Steve Hopkins
12 noats from as far as field as West Kirby braved the not so great forecast for the first event of the year hosted by Banbury Sailing Club.
Race Officers Tim Matthews and Charlie Innes certainly had their work cut out with 180 degrees shifts and 4 knots maximum on the water during the day, but successfully managed to get 3 races away.
Race 1 – saw the best of the wind and 1st to take advantage from one of many shifts were locals Nigel & Martin in 537, followed closely by Clive & Amanda in 408, Paul & Katherine in 92. The newest converts to the Vago Neil & Paula in their borrowed boat from LaserPerformance seemed to be enjoying the very close racing at the midway point well amongst the pack of chasing boats. Trading places in the shifts saw many take the lead with Ed Deacon 164 finally taking the honours, closely followed by Paul & Katherine 92, taking second place from Clive & Amanda 408 in 3rd.
Race 2 – With a change of course locals Nigel & Martin 537 edged out a small advantage from the pin end. Ed & Oli 1276 with their borrowed new sail (did you put in back in the van boys?) taking this from them forging a substantial lead right up the middle of the 1st beat. An interesting shift then had everyone pulling for the kites before the top mark. Needless to say more places were changed with Ed Deacon 164 just managing to take the lead from Ed & Oli 1276 and Hugh & Liz 440 leading the charge with the chasing pack. The ever decreasing breeze saw the shortened course go up with Hugh & Liz 440 managing to work the puffs to take the honours followed in 2nd by Ed Deacon 164 and Ed & Oli 1276 in 3rd.
Race 3 – Another amendment to the course saw the committee boat end the clear favourite with Hugh & Liz 440 leading the way to the windward mark, followed by, John & Jack 1067, Neil & Pauline 1, Paul & Katherine 92 and Ed 164. to kite or not, was the choice for the rest of the race with the wind not really helping anyone. At the halfway point the early positions had reversed with Ed Deacon taking the final bullet, followed by Ed & Oli in second with Hugh & Liz taking 3rd.
Honours of the day went to Ed Deacon 164, with Banbury locals Hugh & Liz taking a well deserved 2nd spot and Ed & Oli in 3rd spot. A cracking turnout and one we’re looking to see again next weekend as the fleet heads down to Felpham Sailing Club for the 2nd Open. See you there!