This is a chronicle on Zampa´s and Francés´s POV:

Spanish Vaurien Championship in Laredo

Finally, after a year-long break mainly due to family reasons, we returned to the Vaurien Championship. We were very excited.

In Laredo, the wind is usually variable in direction and intensity, there are tidal and river currents, and the coastline is lined with cliffs. All these factors make the races very interesting.

All boats passed the measurements carried out by Nacho and Mercedes without any problems. On Thursday, the day ended at the club with the opening ceremony of the championship. For the first time, the new banner of the Spanish Vaurien Championship was presented, listing all the championships held up to today. The ceremony concluded with a traditional Dance of the Spears.

First Day of Racing

The first day of racing was marked by light to medium E-NE winds and an outgoing tide, with current flowing out of the estuary and the bay.

At the first start, I already noticed many young sailors I didn’t know (or didn’t remember) were solidly holding their positions on the starting line: Alba and Maria, Miguel and Matteo, Adrian and Antón, Paula and Maria Elena. All defending their spot on the line… uff, this is going to be tough — time to fight.

On the beat, I tried to recall the strategy from previous regattas but without success. Some, however, had it clear: Martina, Revolution, Padaone, and Panthos were leading.

The second race had a bit more wind, with similar current conditions and wind shifts.
Having learned from the first race, we headed to the right, tacked early at the layline, and, thanks to the outgoing current, rounded the windward mark in second place.

Sissel, with a good start and smart strategy, was first. Pablo was third. Having Pablo chasing you downwind with the spinnaker is always a threat…
We managed to keep him behind and eventually passed Sissel too.

The third race was similar but with even more wind.
We messed up a bit at the start (these young sailors have great starts!!) but recovered during the beat. We were lacking some speed and couldn’t hold our position. Sissel and Pablo sailed very fast and overtook us. We ended up fighting with Paula and Alain.

Second Day of Racing

The weather forecast for the second day of racing wasn’t promising: little wind and very unstable conditions. The fleet stayed onshore waiting for better conditions.

When the Delta flag was hoisted, it felt like a competition where whoever left last would win: Pablo, Nacho, and we were among the last to launch.
We reached the starting line just at the warning signal.
The President didn’t make it in time for the start (uff, how confident we were).

Today the wind was light from the SW and very unstable, with the current still flowing out. Depending on the moment and gusts, either the left side or the right side of the course would pay off.
Eventually, the wind dropped completely and racing was canceled (I think it was a spell from the President 🙂 ).
We waited a bit more, and this time the conditions improved.

The wind picked up significantly, and when there’s strong wind, Lenda is always up front.
The beat was governed by changes in intensity and direction. Martina and Lenda rounded the first mark ahead.
The first reach was quite tight, and strong gusts came from that side of the course, so we didn’t hoist the spinnaker.
Pablo did hoist it and passed five or more boats at stratospheric speed. Martina capsized during the gybe. Lenda took the lead.

The second reach was broader, and we dared to hoist the spinnaker.
A very strong gust carried us at incredible speed, allowing us to overtake Lenda.
As soon as the gust ended, we dropped the spinnaker. We were leading by 100 meters and didn’t want to take unnecessary risks.

The wind stayed strong and gusty. We remained in the lead with a good margin, and even though the downwind wasn’t too windy, it was unstable enough that we didn’t hoist the spinnaker.
Some boats behind did, but they didn’t get much closer.
A strong gust hit us during the gybe, and we decided to tack instead — again, better not to take useless risks.

The wind dropped completely again, and we waited.
When the breeze returned, a start was given, but when the leaders were reaching, the wind disappeared again and the race was canceled.
For the record, Sissel and Fernando were leading with a good margin.

Finally, the wind came back strongly and stayed steady for the whole race.

At the first mark, Sissel, Pancha la Pera, Pablo, and Ence rounded ahead.
Positions changed a lot during the race; some gusts were very localized and strong.
Downwind, sometimes it was better not to hoist the spinnaker.

In the final beat, the wind remained unstable with many shifts.
Esperanza and Eduardo won ahead of Sissel.

Third Day of Racing

Saturday brought back NE winds, initially light but strengthening throughout the day.

In the first race, the current was still outgoing, like on the first day.
This pushed the fleet over the line and caused a general recall.
In the good start, we headed to the right and, because of the current, it was key to tack before the starboard layline.
We did so and rounded the windward mark with a good margin to control the race.
Behind us, the fleet was relatively compact.

The second race followed the same pattern.
You had to go right but not overstand the layline.
Sissel, with good speed, took the win.

In the third race of the day, the wind increased, and the current changed.
The favored side was still the right; Pablo and Lenda were leading with great speed.
The second reach was tight and tough, with long planning runs.
In the final beat, the current at the windward mark didn’t help lift the boats but pushed them sideways…
That’s why we hit the finish mark, spun a penalty turn, and… capsized…

Final Day of Racing

The final day promised strong wind already on land.
The wind was W-SW, very intense and gusty.

On the beat, you had to take advantage of every wind shift.
At the windward mark, Martina, us, and Lenda (who always does well with strong wind) rounded first.
Panthos, Revolution, and Pablo were close behind.

On the first reach, there wasn’t much wind but it was very unstable.
Pablo, as usual, hoisted the spinnaker.
Everyone else played it safe.
On the second reach, very strong gusts arrived from the right, and without a spinnaker, we were planing at dizzying speed.
Pablo’s speed with the spinnaker was insane.

Martina stayed ahead.
Downwind, the gusts were very localized, with some calm patches and some very pressured zones.
Those without a spinnaker in a gust were much faster than those with a spinnaker in a lull.

Eventually, Martina capsized after an unexpected gust, and we found ourselves in first place.
Pablo also capsized.
Lenda, Revolution, and Panthos were right behind us.

And that’s how the races ended.

Conclusion

In Laredo, you find light, medium, strong, gusty, and shifty winds, variable currents, short chop, long swell, and sometimes flat water.
All these conditions make the races very interesting and fun.
I saw many young sailors very active both on the water and on land helping with the class organization.

In the two canceled races, Sissel was always leading — it makes you wonder how the championship might have ended if those races had been completed.

Onshore, the atmosphere was always friendly; it really felt like being part of one big family.

I see that the future of the Vaurien class in Spain looks very promising.