RS Aero UK National Championships at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club - Preview
by RS Aero UK Class Association 31 May 20:23 BST
31 May - 3 June 2018
All set for the RS Aero UK Nationals at Abersoch © South Caernarvonshire YC
69 RS Aeros are assembled on the beach at Abersoch set to contend the 2018 UK Championship. With 133 RS Aeros now entered to this summer’s World Championship at Weymouth as well, the UK Nationals will provide a great build up in preparation. Rooster are on hand supporting the racing at both championships both off the water with prizes and kit and on the water with their race team.
With a likelihood of light breezes the RS Aero 9 fleet has swelled to whist the RS Aero 7s fleet remains the largest with 45 entries.
All three of the 2017 UK Champions are returning. Team Estonia has fielded a three sailors team chartering RS Aeros from RS, with Liina Kolk returning with the RS Aero 5 trophy she took home last year. 2017 RS Aerocup Champion, Rooster’s, Kate Sargent, will go head to head with RS Aero Florida State Champ Julie Willis and Sammy Isaacs-Johnson who tussled for the title at the recent Southerns.
Reigning RS Aero 7 Champion Sam Whaley may not have it all his own way this year with some stiff new competition signed up, especially after giving away his top tips during his pre event coaching session! Jack Hopkins and Craig Williamson join the fleet together with Sam’s brother, Ben Whaley, looking to step up a place from his 2nd last year! RS Aero World Champion Steve Cockerill will be keen to add the National title to his extensive list.
In the big boys rig, the RS Aero 9, Chris Larr and Peter Barton will pick up the close battle they had at last year’s champs. Greg Bartlett will look to build on his 3rd place at the recent Southerns in his new RS Aero. One to watch out for is Liam Lightening Willis who is right on the pace having dominated the racing at the recent Southerns but he will must hold a series together for a shot at the title.
The Top Club’ champs sees Team Estonia’s Pirita Svertpaadiklubi returning to defend their title whilst large teams from Yorkshire Dales SC and Lymington Town SC will hope to keep the title in the UK. Brothers Whaley will aim to defend their family title against six other family teams that they won last year
Thanks to the generous support of Selden Mast and RS Sailing returned tallies will be exchanged for beer. National Judge, David Battye will be close to the action monitoring Rule 42 with his yellow fag and providing informative debriefs after racing. Green Sea Photography will be on hand to capture the racing with the beautiful north wales backdrops with their camera.
All is set to enjoy a great 4th Champs with some top racing enjoying the hospitality of South Caernarvonshire YC on its cliff top perch on the wonderful North Wales coast!