RS VAREO WELSH CHAMPIONSHIPS & GUL GRAND PRIX

Another exciting round of the Vareo roadshow brought 8 visitors to the Llandegfedd Sailing Club to join with 6 home boats for a fleet of 14.

An event of 2 halves, the first day lighter winds followed by a second day and gusting 7!

Race one saw local sailor Jeremy Symons master the shifty conditions to lead at the first mark followed by Richard Willows and Andrew Wilson. Symons held the lead until he inexplicably capsized on the final leeward mark to allow Willows to sneak up and take a victory by 2 yards!

Second race, similar conditions with Symons again stretching out a lead followed by another local John Regan. No silly capsizing on this occasion allowed Symons to seal a victory followed by Wilson and Regan after Willows took a wrong tack on the final upwind leg.

The wind picked up for the third race, and the 3, Symons, Willows and Wilson vied for first place with some good blasting down the lake. Willows held out to win followed by Wilson and Symons. Andrew Davies sailed well to pass Regan into fourth place.

Sunday, Race 4 and the wind rose to 5 gusting 6. Vareos were capsizing here and there, with some taking cover of the boat paddock. Wilson and Willows were away sailing well followed byRegan, Symons and Davies. That order stayed to the finish.

Race 5 and still blowing hard. Vareos down to 8 boats. Wilson off at a rate relishing the conditions to secure a commendable win. Symons seemed to have second secured until another capsize on hoisting the spinnaker allows Willows and another local Alex Howard to make for a tight tussle up the final leg. Willows took second by 5 yards from Symons and Howard takes fourth.

Race 6 and really blowing now (force 7 gusts), and we’re down to 7 boats. Wilson commands a lead followed by Willows and Regan, and what a sight to see all Vareo’s flying spinnakers a full tilt down the lake. The gybe is critical and Willows takes a swim (and throws in the towel) allowing Symons and Regan to chase the distant Wilson. The remaining 6 boats press on and its hanking! Big gusts drive Symons and Regan after Wilson. At the leeward mark, Wilson gets into irons and then almost capsizes to allow Symons a final victory with Regan third and Howard fourth.

The final results are in and the strong winds have given Wilson the opportunity to overtake the overnight leaders to gain a deserved win. Second and third and settled on a count back and Symons loses out to Willows, ruing the capsizes in races 1 and 5.

All in all an exceptional good sailing event enjoyed by all visitors. Onto the next event at Midde Nene and then to Roadford.