Rooster RS Vareo Inland Championship at the Bala Easter Regatta

RS Vaero Inlands at Bala © John Hunter

Luke Fisher wins the RS Vaero Inlands at Bala © John Hunter

Despite the atrocious weather forecast, we achieved a similar size fleet to last year with regulars meeting locals new to the Vareo circuit. Light early rain cleared and was replaced by a nice moderate to fresh breeze running down the lake.

Last minute substitute race officer Dan Partington had to leave his Vareo ashore which was a shame as he had done so much to organise this event new to the Vareo calendar along side the clubs Easter regatta.

We joined the fast asymmetric fleet including K6, SB20 & Vago, for 3 races back to back.

Race 1 Luke Fisher spotted a slight port bias, he was beaten out of the blocks by Nick Crickmore but managed to sail over him up to mark one, however they raced each other into a hole on the right allowing the rest of the fleet to go left into more pressure and Alan Bassett got to the windward mark first. Cheryl Wood and Alan Basset then led down wind but made a similar error in not covering their pursuers leaving Nick to round the downwind mark just in front of Luke.

Luke got ahead again upwind and gradually increased his lead to win the race.

Race 2 After some more place changes on the first leg Luke managed to pull away from the pack again but Nick had a tremendous final downwind leg closing the gap to a few seconds at the finish.

Race 3 Was the closest yet with a couple of capsizes and some good tactical racing from Alan threatening to upset the order of things but again Luke shone to take the bell.

Sunday started with no sign of wind on the lake, but local sailor Simon read the clouds and accurately predicted it would fill in nicely for the start as scheduled. While we waited he gave us an amusing history lesson of Wales, with tales of drovers, rural life and death and Lloyds bank.

On the water we were treated to somewhat lighter and more variable winds with bright sunshine. Proper spring weather.

At the start or race 4 the fleet fought keenly for a clear lane away from the pin end, but Nick went right and got lifted all the way to the windward mark. After that the wind settled leaving the course one sided and allowing Nick to lead the drag race to the finish.

Race 5 The first beat was into reducing wind and the whole mixed fleet found themselves trying to pick clear air around each other. Alan came out on top and got to the windward mark first. After that Alan, Luke and Nick had their closest race of the weekend with multiple changes of lead, Luke finished first with Nick just behind having stolen the result from Alan in the last few yards coming in on more pressure from the right.

Race 6, possibly the most shifty of the weekend, saw Nick establish an early lead which he built on through the race while Luke gradually reeled Alan in so that Alan was denied second again in the closing stages of the final beat.

RS Vareo Inlands and Asymmetric Fleet Results: