Results / Open Parkstone YC - 19/05/2012

Gul RS Vareo National Championships

The 2009 Vareo Nationals were held at Netley Sailing Club. It must have been one of the few weekends this year when the weather gods were looking down favourably at us. The three days were sailed in warm sunshine with a force 2 to 4 NE which was very shifty, much of it just at the wrong time to the race officer’s frustration. Both lightweight and heavyweight crews were catered for with a good spread of wind.

Race 1 on Friday resulted in a strong Starboard biased just as the gun went. Anthony Payne took a flyer setting off slightly late but right next to the committee boat. By the Windward mark Matt Yallop was 1^st, Andy Temple 2^nd and Anthony Payne 3^rd. These three remained in these positions and finished in that order. Race 2 provided slightly less wind but it still continued to shift around in the gusts. Nigel Tinkler arrived 1^st at the windward mark, but by the third lap the wind had increased and he was gunned down by the heavier sailors. Andy Temple was 1^st  having done turns at the start ,followed by Matt Yallop and Nigel Tinkler 3^rd who had managed to regain 3^rd from Chris Larr. Race 3 saw the wind return, Chris Larr worked himself to the front and stayed there. Andy Temple again delayed his start by being over the line but managed to work himself into 2^nd and Matt Yallop was 3^rd.

The pattern for the weekend was slowly beginning to unfold with these three vying for position.

Saturday was similar to the previous day with a shifty north easterly. Race 4 was another bullet for Matt Yallop, Andy Temple showing excellent consistency finished 2^nd and Stevie Wilson who had never sailed a Vareo before this event showed rapid improvement to finish 3^rd. Race 5 saw a strong battle out front between Stevie and Andy with Andy managing to clinch it, Stevie 2^nd and Richard Willows who is always in the mix posting a 3^rd. Race 6 and the present National Champion, Chris Larr posted his 2^nd bullet. Jonathan Nutall who again was improving through the Championship was 2^nd an Matt was 3^rd. Race 7 was dominated by the ‘heavies’ with Andy 1^st Matt 2^nd and Jonathan 3^rd.

Sunday arrived with the forecast of less wind. This soon become unfounded as it soon established itself into the same pattern as the two previous days. Both Matt and Andy at this stage had only fallen out of the top three once and it looked like these two were the bookies favourites. Race 8 and the older generation decided it was time to strike with Chris wedged between the two of them. Richard Willows sailed a superb last run to blast past Nigel. Chris held on at the leeward mark and then had the comfort of the short beat to win, Richard was 2^nd and Nigel who had recovered from the previous day to take 3^rd. Race 9  resulted in the lead changing hands on numerous occasions. Nigel arrived at the final leeward mark 1^st where he covered Matt up the  beat to win. Matt 2^nd and Mathew Moore who was snapping at their heals came a close 3^rd. At this stage it appeared that the Championship would be decided on the last race. Andy was at this stage having a bad Sunday with a broken halyard in Race 8 and a 7^th in Race 9. Matt had a slight dip in Race 8 with a 5^th. The final race resulted in a huge swing to a port hand bias. John Regan hit the pin end and Port tacked the entire fleet. Chris Larr who had already secured 3^rd sailed a strong race to win. Stevie continued his improvement with a 2^nd. Andy and Matt both understandably  preoccupied with one another finished 3^rd and 4^th with Matt edging it.

After a very close contest Matt Yallop became Vareo National Champion for 2009. Andy Temple was 2^nd. And Chris Larr was 3^rd. Richard Willows took the Masters trophy, Richard Kemp- Salt the Grandmaster and Michael Barnes the Youth Trophy. 

Thanks goes again from the Vareo fleet to Netley Sailing club on a very well run event both on and off the water that was enjoyed by everyone.