RS Aero European Championship at Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy - Day 1
by RS Aero International Class Association 2 Aug 06:03 BST
1-5 August 2022
RS Aero Europeans at the WPNSA day 1 © Phil Jackson / Digital Sailing
Opening week two of the 2022 RS Games, Day 1 of the 4th RS Aero European Championship kicked off alongside the RS Teras and RS500s on a sparkling afternoon on Weymouth Bay.
After a short postponement waiting for the wind it then arrived on cue with 3 afternoon races with 13kns increasing to a lively 19kns through the afternoon. The sun shone and the water sparkled under blue skies for some glorious racing for the four RS Aero Classes, RS Aero 5,6,7 & 9.
The much-anticipated clash of the titans in the RS Aero 5s produced many excellent battles. Roscoe Martin (GBR) took race one and the day after backing it up with two 2nds. Chloe George (GBR) took two race wins, sliding away from the boys down the runs. Last week’s Youth Worlds podiumers Tom Ahlheid (GBR) & Sam Blaker (GBR) are back at the front again with consistent scores giving them 2nd and 3rd so far respectively. Lijia Xu (CHN) scored two 4ths speeding though the fleet downwind.
The RS Aero 6 fleet had a fantastic start to its first international championship with 21 boats on the line. Dominant on Day 1 and taking the Gold bib into day two was Chris Hatton (GBR) with an impressive 1,1,1. Luca Mitchell (Devon, GBR) had an awesome day scoring 2,3,2 on his borrowed RS Aero 6 rig, so much so that he bought his own new RS Aero 6 on coming ashore! Ants Haavel (EST) rounds out the podium with a 3,2,3 whilst Abigail Larr is top lady in 6th.
The RS Aero 7s are the largest fleet with 53 entries and Lithuania picked up were they left off at the RS Aero Youth Worlds last week, this time with two sailors
Vejas Strelciunas (LTU) and Martis Pajarskas (LTU) taking the race wins.
The RS Aero 9s revelled in the medium breeze with demanding up-winds and exciting down-winds weaving through the waves Chris Larr (GBR) took the first race and Peter Barton the next two. Rounding out the podium was Ben Charnley (GBR) with a solid 3,3,2.
Big winds are likely on Day 2 with racing starting early for a 3 race thrash around Portland Harbour. The RS Aeros love the waves of the Bay, but they also enjoy the speeds attainable in flat water too when the breeze is up. Lets go!
Results can be found at www.rssailing.com/rs-games-results
Check out the photos of the day by Digital Sailing with 50% Discount code 'RSGAMES’ until 20th August - www.digitalsailing.co.uk
Thanks to all the supporters of the RS Games; RS Sailing, Rooster, Selden, Harken, Noble Marine, Kingfisher Yacht Ropes, LifeJacket Skin Protection, Spinlock, Fernhurst Books, Hyde Sails, MarkSetBot, Digital Sailing and Allen Sailing.