RS Vareo National Championship at Bassenthwaite Sailing Club

Mike Cowan leading Race 2 during the RS Vareo Nationals at Bassenthwaite © Alistair Duncan

Mark Somerville being presented with the 2013 RS Vareo National Championship Trophy by his wife Kirstie © Alistair Duncan

The holiday weekend saw the RS Vareo National Championship sponsored by Volvo being held at Bassenthwaite Sailing Club. Twenty-four entries were received with competitors travelling from clubs as far away as Devon and Kent. Llandegfedd SC even tied with the home club in fielding no less than seven entries.

Everyone knew that the forecast was for light winds but no one expected the dire sailing conditions which beset the Event. By the time of the briefing at midday on Saturday the Race Officer knew he would be up against the elements later in the weekend and planned for four races to be held on the first day. But, from the outset, the wind was light and variable resulting in a short postponement.

With some perseverance, three races were completed, all of which were won by defending champion, Mark Somerville from the home Club. In Race 1 Jeremy Symonds was second and Phil Davenport third, in the next Mike Cowan took second and Richard Willows third and in the final race of the day it was, again, Cowan second ahead of Symonds.

After a long postponement the fleet stared a race on Sunday morning but the wind died and it was abandoned. There was some wind in the late afternoon but insufficient for a National Championship so an informal race was held to keep competitors occupied.

On Monday conditions were as light as on the previous day and visiting competitors decided to pack boats and camping gear away ready for a departure after the midday prize-giving.

So the results of the three Saturday races decided the Championship with leading positions as follows.

Overall Results: