Results / Gul RS Vareo Winter Championships Draycote Water SC - 15/02/2003

Weather forecasts on Friday for the weekend were generally great for those wanting to go ballooning but not very encouraging for sailing, with only 5mph winds forecast for Saturday in the Midlands. However, those willing to take a chance that the wind forecasts might not be so accurate weren�t disappointed at the first Vareo Winter Championship at Draycote Water, sponsored by Gul. The fleet enjoyed three races Saturday afternoon in a good Force 3. Luke Fisher missed the first race at midday, but laid down the gauntlet by winning the remaining two races on Saturday, with Martin Barrett in hot pursuit. It was good to see a new face, Lawrence Hayward, in Vareo number 262 that he�d collected from the RS dealer only the day before. Lawrence had honed his skills in a Laser 2000 and, wanting the independence of a single-hander that retains the excitement of sailing with an asymmetric, had chosen the Vareo. Racing on Sunday was scheduled to start at 10:30, but the wind wasn�t going to make it easy for those on race duty. After half an hour of shifting the marks racing was started. Unfortunately a big shift shortly after the start made the first race short and rather processional, the nominal one-hour race being completed in 30 minutes and the windward legs being completed on one tack! The wind was around Force 2 in the morning and faded to Force 1-2 for the final race, still rather shifty. So Sunday favoured the lightweights and suited those of a sensitive, patient disposition! First place went to Luke Fisher, who maintained his form all weekend and won five races (reminder: I must buy myself some garden gloves and a cheap watch). Martin Barrett was never far behind and also sailed really consistently, with one 1st and five 2nd places, giving him second place overall. Local sailor Guy Fillmore, normally competing in a 29er, took third place.