Vago Open Meeting
May 1st 2010
Boats from as far as field as West Kirby braved the not so great forecast
for the first Laser Vago open event of the year hosted by Banbury Sailing
Club. The Laser Vago is a one or two man asymmetric skiff-style dinghy
with a trapeze for some exhilarating sailing.
Race Officers Tim Matthews and Charlie Innes certainly had their work
cut out with 180 degrees shifts and 4 knots maximum on the water during
the day, but successfully managed to get 3 races away.
Race 1 – saw the best of the wind and first to take
advantage from one of many shifts were locals Nigel Parkinson and Martin
Hooker in 537, followed closely by Clive and Amanda Sleath in 408, Paul
& Katherine Welch in 92. The newest converts to the Vago, Neil and Paula
Kelsall in their borrowed boat from Laser Performance seemed to be enjoying
the very close racing at the midway point well amongst the pack of chasing
boats. Trading places in the shifts saw many take the lead with Ed Deacon
164 finally taking the honours, closely followed by Paul and Katherine
92, taking second place from Clive and Amanda 408 in 3rd.
Race 2 – With a change of course Nigel and Martin 537
edged out a small advantage from the pin end. Ed Bolton-King and Oli 1276
with their borrowed new sail (did you put in back in the van boys?) taking
this from them forging a substantial lead right up the middle of the 1st
beat. An interesting shift then had everyone pulling for the kites before
the top mark. Needless to say more places were changed with Ed Deacon
164 just managing to take the lead from Ed and Oli 1276 and Hugh Blaxill
and Liz Hood 440 leading the charge with the chasing pack. The ever decreasing
breeze saw the shortened course go up with Hugh and Liz 440 managing to
work the puffs to take the honours followed in 2nd by Ed Deacon 164 and
Ed and Oli 1276 in 3rd.
Race 3 – Another amendment to the course saw the committee
boat end the clear favourite with Hugh and Liz 440 leading the way to
the windward mark, followed by, John and Jack 1067, Neil and Paula 1,
Paul and Katherine 92 and Ed 164. to kite or not, was the choice for the
rest of the race with the wind not really helping anyone. At the halfway
point the early positions had reversed with Ed Deacon taking the final
bullet, followed by Ed & Oli in second with Hugh & Liz taking 3rd.
Honours of the day went to Ed Deacon 164 from St Edmundsbury Sailing
and Canoeing Association in Suffolk, with Banbury Sailing Club locals
Hugh & Liz taking a well deserved 2nd spot and Ed Bolton–King also from
Banbury Sailing Club and Oli in 3rd spot.
A cracking turnout and we’re looking forward to welcoming the Laser Vago
Fleet to Banbury again next year. Thanks go to the duty and galley teams
of the day for a great event.
Steve Hopkins, Laser Performance
Results |
