Despite the discouraging weather forecast last weekend eight Vareo sailors converged on Pitsford Reservoir for the last Fat Face event of the season. The first race started in good winds but the wind died during the race and after some place changing at the front of the fleet Luke Fisher showed how important downwind speed and direction were to take the line from Nicholas Crickmore and Chris Larr.

Race 2 saw the greatest drama of the day with the top four boats rounding the wrong windward mark – only Carl Whitehead making good and not being required to retire after finishing. Local sailor Richard Willows won the race with Carl finishing second. A depleted fleet braved the conditions for Race 3, with Chris winning by a good margin and demonstrating that the boat really is much more controllable with the kite up – if you have enough 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 again showed the benefit of local knowledge to take Race 4.

Race 5 followed the familiar pattern, with Chris winning from Luke and Carl (with four thirds, the most consistent sailor all weekend). There was all to play for in Race 6. If Chris finished first or second he would win overall – in fact he managed to overtake Carl on the last leg to take the winner’s slot from an unlucky Luke Fisher by a single point.

The Merit prize went to Hugh Wray-McCann – who finished every race and has shown great determination and improvement during the season.