Results / GUL Grand Prix Burghfield SC - 21/04/2012

Nine visitors, from as far away as Port Talbot, joined three home-club sailors for the GUL series open at Burghfield. A well-run set of four races across a wide and challenging range of weather conditions showed why this remains a popular venue for the Varo class.

The two morning races were held in a gentle force 2 to 3 with a long course up the lake to the clubhouse – where there were some big shifts to be found. In the first race, Andrew Wilson led from the first mark, with Alex Howard challenging behind. In third place was Alex’s father, Andy, a recruit from an RS800 who was finding his feet quickly in his first Vareo event.

The second race followed a similar pattern, but with Andrew managing to sailing into the distance with his personal breeze down the second run.

After lunch, the wind for race three had strengthened to full-on hiking. Martin Peters found a great port lift to lead at the first mark from Roger Brydges. Good downwind speed in these conditions helped Andrew Wilson through the fleet into the lead, followed closely by Mike Rhodes.

Some big rain clouds were threatening for race four as the course was moved around to the North-West. The fleet started in the lightest wind of the day with Andrew Wilson leading down the first run. As the fleet approach the leeward mark the breeze went in the blink of an eye from 5mph to over 20mph. Andrew’s spinnaker halyard knotted preventing it from coming down – while Mike Rhodes capsized. This left Simon Collinson to demonstrate his prowess in a breeze as he led Alex comfortably around to the finish, while the rain lashed down. This race win gave third position overall to Simon, who had finished on level points with Andy Howard.