A very warm and windy Saturday, a cooler and a calmer Sunday provided a good range of sailing conditions for the GYGSC Vareo Open. Held in conjunction with the club’s annual beach regatta the promenade and beach were busy with boats and locals enjoying the lovely weather conditions we are currently experiencing. Early arrivals enjoyed the fish and chip supper on Friday night which seems to have become a tradition.
Stating amongst the Regatta fleet
Saturday -Warm and windy
Rigging and staying upright played a major part in the days results. Dave’s day didn’t start well, having been bitten by a dog just before launching his main halyard snapped just before race one requiring a quick return to shore to fix.
Nick and Chris were having the first of many close battles however, on the first downwind leg Chris realised he had rigged one to his spinny sheets inside the shroud. Nick gained a thirty second lead by the finish, followed by Chris with Richard, using his Storm sail thirty seconds behind.
Race two- a race of capsizes for some. Dave’s day was still not running smoothly as his spinnaker pole was reluctant to self launch. Nick was the first to enjoy a swim leaving Chris and Dave leading. Dave was next after the mainsheet caught the tiller on a gybe which left Chris with a comfortable lead. Nick recovered quickly and managed to hold of Richard for second spot.
Race three- The shifty and gusty conditions were taking its toll on everyone, Chris was suffering from cramp and his fingers were locking up, requiring more frequent use of the mainsheet cleat which could be a risky strategy given the conditions. Dave and Chris were close all three laps with Dave just in the lead. On the final run Dave caught a big gust and was unceremoniously ‘dumped’ leaving a grateful Chris to take line honours. Dave made a quick recovery to take second. Richard proved a Storm sail could hold its own in strong winds holding off Nick to take third.
Thoughts of the day – Regular boat maintenance is essential, as is checking your rigging ! Staying upright is the fastest option.
Despite all the room you could want Nick and Chris spent a lot of time fighting it out
After sailing and with boats packed away for the night we soaked up the sun sitting outside the club, sampling a few beers and sharing stories of what might have been if only……. It’s fair to say the Phantom fleet, who were also competing over the weekend, easily out gunned us on the drinking front. Full marks to the GYGSC ‘Catering Team’ who along with working tirelessly all day, also prepared a splendid evening meal for all the competitors.
Keith leads Dave to the leeward gate
Sunday- Cooler and calmer
With all boat and rigging issues resolved and a steady F2-3 from the NE, there were no dramas during the day. HW scheduled at mid day, the tide was still flooding as the racing started. This encouraged everyone, well almost everyone to stay inshore up the beat and attempt to correctly time the tack out to the windward mark. Offshore the tide was in full force!
Race four- Starting at the committee boat end Dave managed to find a clear channel up the beat to lead after lap one. Nick and Chris were a few seconds apart with Nick just in front, followed by Keith, sporting his dazzling new pink spinnaker, then Richard and Adrian. Lap two Nick tried an offshore beat tactic with proved costly as Chris edged ahead. At the finish Dave took line honours, Chris held of Nick and Keith held of a charging Richard (now with full size sail)
The inseparable blue spinnakers
Race five-Nick and Chris had a race long tussle with only a few seconds between them all race. After lap one Nick lead by 10 seconds. Behind Dave was just ahead of Keith. Lap two, positions remained the same but Nick had opened the gap a tad on Chris. Lap three Nick was having to cover a charging Chris but managed to hold onto his lead by a few seconds. Dave took a third followed by Keith.
Race six – Dave and Richard worked the first beat well to take an early lead at the windward mark. Positions remained the same after lap two with just over 10 seconds separating Nick, Chris and Keith. Dave crossed the line first, with Richard holding off Nick and Chris.
Thought of the day – stay out of the tide !
After two days, winds from F2-F5 and six races there were two race wins apiece for Chris, Nick and Dave. Chris proved the more consistent with a top two finish in five races and taking overall honours with Nick second.
Thanks to the visitors who joined us, hopefully worth the trip as Costa del Gorleston turned on the great weather conditions for us.
Next stop is the Vareo Nationals at the Lymington Town Dinghy Regatta on July 19 & 20 at the Lymington YC.
Full results on the club website http://gygsc.org.uk/results/2025-results/
Many many pictures on the club Flickr site
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums/
Many thanks to the Onshore and Offshore teams who looked after us so well all weekend.