RS Aero Virtual Regatta Championships starts today
by Matt Thursfield 4 May 2020 10:24 BST
4-7 May 2020
RS Aero Virtual Regatta Championships © RS Aero Class
This week sees the RS Aero Classes holding their Virtual Regatta Championships supported by RS Sailboats. With a strong fleet of well over 100 helms, this event promises to see who really is the fastest across the water, whether it be a 5, 7 or 9 rig.
The forecast is likely to be variable, with past experience of the European venues unlikely to make that much of a difference to the final results - our fleet's weather-guru will no doubt be using his latest computer modelling software to get the most up to date prediction on wind direction
to make up for his perceived lack of VR experience.
Kiel is usually the venue for the port fliers, Cagliari has the greatest chance of a light wind race, Fécamp in northern France gets the South Westerley up the English channel, and Aarhus just up from Kiel may just be too cold for the Southern Europeans in the fleet. There is a possibility of a few other venues popping up in the regatta, with San Francisco & Portsmouth amongst the potential destinations for the fleet.
So who's in this to trouble the scorers. As part of the entry system, RS Aero sailors were asked to reflect on their Virtual Regatta prowess; only a couple had the confidence to 5-Star themselves, the majority of the experienced sailors holding back their rating for fear of being the moving target on the racetrack.
Across the rig sizes we have RS Aero National, European and World champions from the UK, racing alongside entries from around the World Time Zones who's alarms will be set for the 18.30 BST at 3.30 in the morning.
Thanks to RS Sailing we have prizes of easily post-able, cross gender, one size fits all RS Sailing Buffs.
Racing starts on Monday 4th, a second reseeded flight night on Tuesday, a day to recover with the RS Aero Zoom Quiz on Wednesday, with the 38-strong finals night on Thursday to crown the fleets' first VR Champions.
Those wanting some last minute tips, Virtual Regatta Sailing Tips with Sam Whaley is well worth a watch, as is Adam McGovern's experience of the platform here. RYA eSailing VR Coaching - Starting & Upwind Top Tips with Adam McGovern.