2022 - the year of the RS500?
by Sally Campbell 7 Jan 2022 08:08 GMT
RS500 fleet © Sportography
In 2022 the RS500 Worlds takes place at the RS Games, WPNSA, a full RS500 Rooster National Tour has been announced and the fleet are planning coaching events to get sailors ready for the worlds, with the 'Worlds Warm Up' already confirmed.
Before all that there will be an RS500 on the stand at the RYA Dinghy Show on 26th/27th February. Current and potential RS500 sailors are encouraged to come along and meet fellow sailors and share boat tips, plans for the year and a drink or two - watch out for communications about a fleet meet-up.
The RS500 season-proper starts with the multi-fleet RS Sprints at Rutland on 2nd and 3rd April, the popular short, sharp racing format a great way to get back in shape after the Winter and GP1 of the RS500 Rooster National Tour. For those hardier souls sailing through the Winter months, do post details of the events you plan to do on our RS500 class facebook group, so that others may join you.
After Rutland the Rooster National Tour takes in Filey Regatta, Bristol Corinthian - which is a race & train event for all levels - Lymington Dinghy Regatta, Burghfield and finally the End of Seasons.
For those wanting even more practise, sunshine sailing and to check out the competition for the Worlds there is a full European series, which we are seriously hoping will be much more accessible to UK sailors in 2022. As most RS500 sailors will know the class is massively popular in Europe. One young UK sailor, who has sailed the RS500 for 6 years says "The RS500 is a well-kept secret in the UK, it's a fabulous, friendly, accessible class to sail, an easier step-up from the junior and youth classes than some of the more extreme boats, yet still a massive blast with the kite up, sending it on the trapeze. It can take a bigger, less agile crew than some skiffs or dual-trapeze boats too, so I can even sail it with my Mum, not that she's my first choice helm - sorry Mum!!!".
The World Championships at WPNSA, 1st-5th August, part of the unique festival of RS Sailing that is the RS Games. We will be looking for boats for International and UK sailors for the event, so if you have one you'd like to charter or sell, this is the time. For charter offers or requests please contact