Results / RS Vareo Racing Circuit Leigh & Lowton SC - 25/04/2009

Leigh and Lowton RS Vareo Open
On arrival at L&LSC the 9 sailors were met with a nice force 3 breeze from the east.

Race 1
Andrew Wilson got clear from the start in this race whilst everyone else jostled for position. During this time Mike Cowan decided that he no longer liked his tiller extension and snapped it whilst capsizing but was still able to hold on for 5th place. Martin managed to get clear of Olly and Pie man (Anthony Payne) while they battled for third place with Olly eventually coming out on top. As everyone else headed back to the club house for a break, Anthony Oakes found the shallow end and had to have a little assistance from the safety boat.

Race 2
In this race Olly was possibly over the line at the start and went back, Andrew also had a bit of a stinker while Martin got clear of the pack. On the penultimate lap Olly was now in 2nd place and Andrew was in third but poor downwind tactics allowed Andrew through as Olly slipped back to 6th while Martin sailed on to victory.

Race 3
The wind now decided to cause a few problems for the race officer as it was now coming from the south, the course was set again but it was a lot shorter due to limited room.
This time Pie man got away but Martin and Andrew pushed him hard. It was obviously all too much for Andrew who had a quick swim that allowed everyone through but fair play to him as he managed 5th at the finish. Mark Pearce showed excellent downwind technique to claim third place only to find out later that he had been disqualified for not sailing through the line on one of his laps. Pie man held on for the win with Martin and Mike (with new tiller extension) coming in at 2nd and third respectively.

Race 4
Sunday, again the wind came from the south varying between force one and force three.
Mike lost his shroud before the start and had to head back to sort it out. Andrew led from the start in this race but again had a swim and allowed the rest of the fleet back in. Martin and Olly fought for 1st place all of the way to the end with Martin claiming victory eventually. Pie man managed third while Christian Barnes got his highest finish with 4th.

Race 5
Pie man went for a port flier but was squeezed out by Olly resulting in turns for Pie man. Slightly further up the first beat Vareo_Dave (Gray) clouted Olly in the face with his boom as a gust hit but that wasn't going to slow Olly down. Andrew was again well clear but Martin, Mike and Olly pressed each other until the solo's from the club racing got in the way and stole Olly's wind while Martin and Mike slipped away unscathed. Olly again caught them up and slipped into third while Martin claimed 2nd behind Andrew. Pie man did try and protest the race officer in this race as a mark was moved during the race and the correct flag was not flown but in the end decided against it.

Race 6
Everyone had a good start in this race, especially Christian who led up the first beat before tacking off and falling behind. Andrew again led the race from start to finish while Martin and Olly again battled for 2nd until Olly left Martin behind on the downwind leg and began to claw back some ground from Andrew but it was all too late as Andrew sailed on for the win.

Thanks to everyone that attended the event at Leigh and Lowton and to everyone that was involved with running the event, I'm sure we all agree that it was great fun.