Results / RS Vareo Fat Face Racing Circuit Northampton SC - 23/10/2004

With many potential competitors apparently discouraged by the weather forecast (Force 7 Saturday, Force zero Sunday) 8 Vareo sailors from as far afield as Teign Corintian and Filey convcerged on Pitsford Reservoir for the last event in the 2004 season. The first race started in good winds (albeit only about Force 4) on a long upwind/downwind course. Sadly, for the heavier amongst us, the wind died dramatically during the race and after some place changing at the front of the fleet Luke Fischer showed how important down-wind speed and direction were to take the line from Nicholas Crickmore (Waveney) and Chris Larr. Retiring ashore for lunch and a general discussion about which bit of the boat Chriss larr wuld break this weekend turned into an extended wait while the wind (against all predictions) dropped completely and led to a postponement for the afternoon. It did however give everyone the chance to discuss possible rule changes, breakages and possible solutions, events for next year and to spend more in the excellent canteen - so it wasn't a complete waste of time. Race 2 saw the greatest dramas of the day with the top 4 boats rounding the wrong windward mark (note - READ the course on the back of the committee boat), with only one, Carl Whitehead, making good and not being required to retire after finishing. Local sailor Richard Willows won the race with Carl making his way through the fleet to finish second. Many capsizes and a strengthening wind meant that a depleted fleet braved the conditions for Race 3 - Chris Larr winning by a good margin and demonstrating that the boat is really much more controllable with the kite up downwind - if you have enogh bottle in a Force 5 gusting 7 to put it up in the first place! Sunday saw 3 more boats join the racing, and Richard Willows again showed the benefit of local knowledge (we all know NOW that there is no wind down the middle of Pitsford) to take Race 4. I blame my own abysmal performance to arriving on Sunday with a newly refurbished drysuit only to find that the feet had been put on backwards - sailing the whole course in reverse is making life too difficult! Race 5 followed the familiar pattern, with Chris Larr winning from Luke Fisher and carl Whitehead (who with 4 3rds was the most consistent sailor all weekend). A short break for lunch and to allow for club racing meant that the fleet (and the 200's) seemed reluctant to get back on to the water - and Carl decided to capsize on the way to the start to "just get it out of his system" - "yeah right" as my kids would say! There was all to play for in Race 6 if Chris Larr finished 1st or second he would win overall - in fact he managed to overtake carl on the last leg rounding off an excellent 3,RAF,1,2,1,2 to take the winners slot from an unlucky Luke Fisher (1,RAF,2,3,4,1) by a single point. Unfortunately Dave Machin suffered an injury in the last race and had to retire - but it was good to see so many familiar faces braving the forecast conditions. The Merit prize went to Hugh Wray-McCann - who finished every race and has shown great determination and improvement during the season. Many thanks to Northamption Sailing Club, to the PRO, Bruce, who set good courses in testing conditions, and to the rescue boats who were needed quite a lot!