RS Aero Open at Papercourt Sailing Club

by Mark Carleton 5 Oct 2021 05:16 BST 26 September 2021

Mirror-calm conditions and bacon butties welcomed 22 RS Aeros on arrival at Papercourt's fourth RS Aero open and there was much rig-swapping as competitors up-sized to suit the conditions for the best day's racing. Thankfully, the breeze lived up to the forecast and filled in just in time for the first start.

Race 1 saw Sam Mettam sailing an RS Aero 7 demonstrate his local knowledge and how readily he has taken to his first season in RS Aeros staying with the RS Aero 9s all the way to the finish and winning with a comfortable margin on handicap.

In Race 2, Gareth Griffiths was first over the finish line in an RS Aero 9, but the locals looked to have it sewn up again on handicap with Mark Carleton and Sam Mettam rounding the last mark only seconds behind. However, Sam tried a little too hard to get passed Mark and ended up doing two(!) lots of turns giving Abby Hire an opportunity to sneak through into third.

Time for a refuelling stop and the combination of the ever-friendly RS Aero fleet, Papercourt's warm hospitality and generous provisions made for a very convivial lunch.

Back on the water for Race 3 and everyone remained very friendly and relaxed and most of the fleet were miles behind the line on the gun! The fleet was incredibly close for a lap and a half before Tim Hire showed why he is national champion, put his foot down and gained a full two minutes on the rest of the fleet.

In the final race of the day, the breeze picked up significantly making things a bit tougher for the RS Aero 9s. But nothing could stop Tim from claiming a second bullet and first place overall. Claire Power got her best result of the day with a 10th to take the prize for first RS Aero 5.

Finally ashore for trophies and copious quantities of cake! Congratulations to Tim Hire, 1st RS Aero 9 and 1st overall, Sam Mettam 1st RS Aero 7, Claire Power 1st RS Aero 5, Tom Ahlheid 1st Youth, Gareth Griffiths 1st Master and Abby Hire 1st Lady.

Thanks to Fraser Hayden and team for running a slick event on the water and to Jill Hamment and the galley crew for the fabulous spread.

Next up for the UK's RS Aeros is the Royal Lymington Open on Saturday 9th Oct followed by the RS Aero Inland Championship at Draycote on 16/17th Oct.

RS Aero UK events list available here.

Overall Results:

Pos	Sail No	Helm	Club	Rig	R1	R2	R3	R4	Pts
1st	1586	Tim Hire	Lymington Town SC	RS Aero 9	3	‑8	1	1	5
2nd	3437	Sam Mettam	Papercourt SC	RS Aero 7	1	‑4	2	3	6
3rd	1575	Mark Carleton	Papercourt SC	RS Aero 7	6	1	4	‑8	11
4th	2077	Tom Ahlheid	Frensham Pond SC	RS Aero 7	2	5	5	‑7	12
5th	3175	Gareth Griffiths	Island Barn RSC	RS Aero 9	4	2	7	‑11	13
6th	2439	Abby Hire	Lymington Town SC	RS Aero 7	5	3	‑9	6	14
7th	3877	Paul Haswell	Hayling Island SC	RS Aero 7	10	‑15	3	2	15
8th	2071	Sam Blaker	Thorpe Bay YC	RS Aero 7	8	6	‑12	4	18
9th	3305	Richard Bullock	Itchenor SC	RS Aero 7	‑9	7	6	5	18
10th	603	Tristan Ahlheid	Frensham Pond SC	RS Aero 7	‑19	11	8	12	31
11th	3127	Adam Thomson	Shoreham SC	RS Aero 7	‑17	10	15	9	34
12th	3003	Andy Hicks	Frensham Pond SC	RS Aero 7	14	9	13	(DNC)	36
13th	1574	Richard Guy	Papercourt SC	RS Aero 7	7	‑16	16	15	38
14th	1566	Joe Blaker	Thorpe Bay YC	RS Aero 7	13	‑14	11	14	38
15th	1230	Paul Halliwell	Red Wharf Bay SC	RS Aero 9	12	13	‑14	13	38
16th	1603	Rob Ahlheid	Frensham Pond SC	RS Aero 9	11	12	‑17	17	40
17th	1705	Tom Wharmby	Lymington Town SC	RS Aero 7	16	‑17	10	16	42
18th	2321	Claire Power	Emsworth Slipper SC	RS Aero 5	15	18	‑21	10	43
19th	2286	Evelyn Tinker	Papercourt SC	RS Aero 5	(RET)	20	18	19	57
20th	2505	Neil Wharmby	Lymington Town SC	RS Aero 9	18	‑22	19	20	57
21st	1583	David Rose	Papercourt SC	RS Aero 9	20	19	20	(DNC)	59
22nd	2724	Justin Meredith	Papercourt SC	RS Aero 7	21	21	‑22	18	60