RS Aero UK Nationals & International Open at Paignton Sailing Club - Day 3
by RS Aero UK Class Association 31 May 2022 00:13 BST
Day 3 of the 2022 RS Aero UK at Paignton brought another increase in wind and new faces to the front of the leader boards. An energetic 8-16kn veered through the day by some 100 degrees as forecast which kept James Ripley's race team and even more so the mark layers very active all day. Ultimately they managed four good and varied races for the four fleets with the RS Aero 5, 6 & 7s catching up to their schedule ready for the final day.
In the RS Aero 5s Jonathan Bailey (Hunts) and Chloe George (Lymington Town) go into the final day just a couple of points apart. With two 1sts today Tom Ahlheid jumps to 3rd.
Ellie Craig (Draycote) and Sam Mettam (Papercourt) continue tightly locked a point apart in the RS Aero 6s whilst today it was nice to also see two new race winners in Graham Tribbeck (Lee on Solent) and James Dowrick (Porthpean, Cornwall).
The RS Aero 7s saw Jack Lewis (RYA) regain the lead. Jack Miller (Felpham SC/Paignton) had a tougher day than most taking his final Exeter University exam at 07:30hrs before jumping into a fast car to Paignton, changing in the car as it sped and stepping into his pre-rigged RS Aero on the beach! Our own 'James Bond 007' of RS Aero racing deservedly finished the day in second overall ready to challenge for the title.
Rupert Stock (Royal Lymington) and Dominic Hall (Hayling) are just a few points back ready move and shake up the rankings on the final day. Ireland's Paul McMahon (Howth) came to form with two wins today to step up to fifth overall.
More breeze on Day 3 suited Peter Barton (Lymington Town) who struck out with a 1,1,1. Another big climber was Chris Larr (Draycote) with a 2,2,2 who steps up to third just a few points behind Steve Norbury (Warsash) in second.
Two more races conclude the 2022 RS Aero UK National Championships tomorrow - bring it on!!!
Phil Jackson of www.digitalsailing.co.uk was on the water today to catch the action with and awesome gallery of photos (see above). Thanks to Rooster and RS Sailing for their support of the Championship which has allowed sociable daily awards through the fleet.
Today that followed an informative Juror debrief from David Battye explaining yellow flag penalties so far and helping sailors understand where the line of the rules are drawn, promoting fairer and hence more enjoyable racing. Tonight is Paella night in the marquee on the quay before those still with any energy hit Torquay's late night scene!
Find full results at paigntonsailingclub.co.uk/open-events-championships/rs-aero-national-championships-2022