Results / RS Fat Face Racing Circuit Bartley Green Sailing Club - 08/06/2003

RS Vareo sailors joined RS 300 sailors for a day of racing at Bartley Green Sailing Club, Birmingham on Sunday 8th June. Three races were sailed in winds ranging from F3 to F5, gusting F6. The first race was around a fairly complicated course causing some uncertainty at marks. This wasn�t such a problem for Graham Cooper who, having arrived late and missing the start of the race, was led around the course by a sympathetic rescue boat � Cheers guys! With senses dulled from food and drink at lunchtime, the choice of a windward-leeward course for the second race was fortunate for some helms. The wind was building nicely at this stage and so far it had remained dry, apart from the odd capsize. Robin Sanders, who has been steadily improving in the Vareo, gained second place. Unfortunately Tim Greenwood had to retire, which ruined his chances in an event with no discards. At the end of the second race the wind was blowing a steady F5 and a few helms took the opportunity to blast back and forth across the wind � nobody gybed though! Storm clouds were looming and the third race took place in a gusty F5-F6 with occasional rain. The wind had shifted substantially and windward-leeward was no longer realistic, so the course was revised to encompass 5 marks (or was it 6?!). At the front of the race were Luke Fisher leading and Martin Barrett in close pursuit. Tim Greenwood, in third position, was showing that his recent success at Lee-on-Solent wasn�t a �flash-in-the-pan�. There was a real battle amongst the next three boats. Graham managed to creep in front on a downwind leg by putting in a couple of gybes with the spinnaker, his lead helped by Robin having to out-manoeuvre a rescue boat. But Chris Froehlich battled away on the final beat and better judged the wind shifts, enabling him to pull ahead until the finish line. Great stuff! Luke Fisher was first overall, with Martin Barrett winning second prize. Robin Sanders achieved third place overall and gained his first prize at a Vareo open � congratulations. There has been a steady improvement in the quality of the Vareo fleet at open events and the result is some exciting close racing. Coupled with a regular influx of new faces, some not so experienced, there is something for everyone. Next event is at Hayling Island SC on Sunday 6th July, preceded by training on the Saturday.