Results / Inland Championship Bala Lake SC - 23/08/2025

RS Vareo – Rooster National Tour – Inland Championships 2025

Bala Sailing Club Regatta: 23 – 25 August 2025

Bala Sailing Club welcomed the RS Vareo fleet over the August Bank Holiday weekend to enjoy the vast expanse of water at Lake Tegid to compete for the Inland Championships, as part of the Rooster National Tour 2025.

A competitive fleet of seven RS Vareos, comprising five visitors and two local boats, descended on Bala Sailing Club to enjoy the scenic location, spacious racecourse area and the family-friendly atmosphere of the Club.

There were close battles across the fleet with place changes both upwind and downwind as the fleet enjoyed the extended windward-leeward courses that Lake Tegid provides. Luke Fisher, Emberton Park Sailing Club, achieved a clean sweep of race wins to secure the Inland Championships; however, he did not have it all his own way, with both Chris Abbott and Nick Crickmore pushing him hard and leading the racing at times, just not at the end when it counted.

RS Vareo Rooster National Tour – Inland Championships 2025

1st - Luke Fisher Emberton Park Sailing Club

2nd - Chris Abbott Nottingham Sailing Club

3rd - Nick Crickmore Waveney & Oulton Broad Sailing Club

The wind over the three days was variable both in strength and direction; however, Principal Race Officer Mike Baldwin and his cast of many volunteers did an amazing job in getting six windward-leeward races in across three days. The Race Committee also attempted to fit a third race in on Monday; however, whilst waiting to go into the sequence, the wind increased with gusts of 30 mph recorded, and the decision was made to abandon racing for the day. 

This sudden increase in wind strength and direction provided an opportunity for the RS Vareo fleet to stretch their legs and enjoy a kite blast back to the Sailing Club, and on the sail back, the highest recorded speed of 12.5 knots was achieved. A great end to three great days at Bala Sailing Club, enjoying the friendly family vibe of the Club and the excellent facilities both on and off the water.

The Rooster RS Vareo National Tour continues, and next up is the Illuminis Milton Keynes Open on 27 – 28 September, followed by the last event of the Rooster National Tour at Northampton Sailing Club, the Pitsford Finale on 1 – 2 November 2025.

Finally, a huge thanks to Bala Sailing Club for inviting the RS Vareo fleet to participate in the August Regatta and thanks also to the Race Committee and all the volunteers who helped make this event so enjoyable for all the visitors.

Report by Ewan McHenry.

Photos by John Hunter.