Please select your home edition
Edition
Sailingfast 2018 728x90

Lago Maggiore International RS Aero Regatta in Maccagno, Italy

by Jon Mills 1 Jun 13:42 BST 19-21 May 2023

Beautiful Lake Maggiore delivered great sailing conditions yet again for the three day Lago Maggiore International RS Aero Regatta held over the European Bank Holiday weekend from the 19th - 21st May.

Thirty-four RS Aeros from six different countries (Switzerland, Holland, Germany, Italy, France and the UK) entered with all rigs sizes represented including a large fleet of RS Aero 9s with 14 entries. Three days of excellent training had kindly been organised by Jorn Domres from Germany in advance of the regatta. Twenty one RS Aero sailors from three different countries were put through their paces by top Italian sailing coach Raffaele Ravaglia.

With winds ranging from a moderate Southerly on the Friday afternoon to a strong Northerly on Saturday morning, which was stronger still on Sunday morning, the race committee did an excellent job of running back to back races quickly and efficiently on a trapezoid course. The social side was as good as the sailing, with a group meal at a local hotel on Friday night and pasta with wine at the organising club Unione Velica Maccagno on the Saturday.

With everyone helping each other with rigging tips, launching and recovery and sailing hints, the beach atmosphere helped make this years event one to remember with promises to return next year. The event has consistently grown over the years thanks to the hard work of organiser Ulli Scheu from nearby Switzerland, as evidenced by the number of different nations represented. Without going into the detail of all four fleets, a few standout points worth mentioning are:

  • Mark Cole from the Netherlands won the RS Aero 7 fleet and was matched by his daughter Aimi Cole who won the RS Aero 5 fleet.
  • Eric Rieve dominated the RS Aero 9 fleet winning all nine races though the competition immediately behind him was both very close and very enjoyable.
  • Vincent Viool from Holland spread his family across three fleets with Vincent sailing a 9, Noa sailing a 5 and Thirza sailing a 7.
  • The Netherlands made a clean sweep of the RS Aero 5 fleet podium.
  • The sole UK entrant Jeff Jackson won the RS Aero 6 fleet.
  • With six nations present, all of them were represented on the podiums!

Many thanks to Unione Velica Maccagno for another splendid event on Lago Maggiore. We look forward to returning again next year!

Find full results here

Related Articles

Felpham RS Aero Open
Glorious sunshine but light winds in Bognor Regis, West Sussex Sailors for the RS Aero Felpham Open arriving on Saturday were met with glorious sunshine but light winds. Racing was due to start at midday on the Saturday but was delayed by the RO for an hour as the wind increased. Posted on 12 Sep
RS Aero Worlds at Calasetta, Sardinia overall
Youth, Junior, Overall as well as Master and Grandmaster titles awarded The fifth World Championship of the RS Aero class, organised in Calasetta by the Lega Navale del Sulcis, in collaboration with the Italian Sailing Federation and the RS Aero class, ended with two more races and a thermal mistral wind of 8-10 knots. Posted on 30 Jul
RS Aero Worlds at Calasetta, Sardinia Day 4
Penultimate day very long due to the variable wind Sunday sees the conclusion of the RS Aero Worlds with the awarding of the rainbow titles in the various classes and categories, including youth and junior with many Italians in the podium zone. Posted on 29 Jul
RS Aero Worlds at Calasetta, Sardinia Day 3
Very light winds mean only one race is possible The RS Aero Absolute and Youth - Junior Worlds, which began on Wednesday in Calasetta, after two days of strong to medium-strong mistral winds, had much lighter winds on the third day of racing, enough to contest just one race. Posted on 28 Jul
RS Aero Worlds at Calasetta, Sardinia Day 2
Perfect conditions today in Calasetta A fantastic second day at the RS Aero Worlds organised in Calasetta by the Lega Navale del Sulcis: after Wednesday's strong mistral, today the wind intensity, again from the mistral, was perfect, staerting with 10-12 knots, reaching 16-18. Posted on 27 Jul
RS Aero Worlds at Calasetta, Sardinia Day 1
Eagerly anticipated Mistral winds provide a thrilling spectacle The RS Aero World Championship has kicked off in Calasetta with the eagerly anticipated Mistral winds providing a thrilling spectacle, blowing at 18-20 knots. Posted on 26 Jul
RS Aero Worlds & Youth World at LNI Sulcis Preview
The fast growing RS Aero fleets in Sardinia has enticed 140 entries from 19 nations Calasetta stands on the island of Sant'Antioco off the south-western tip of Sardinia, a town with fascinating history, traditions, maritime cuisine, dreamy beaches and the sailing is fabulous! Posted on 21 Jul
RS Aero Worlds at Calasetta, Italy preview
140 racers from 17 nations are expected Calasetta and the Lega Navale del Sulcis are ready to host the RS Aero World Championships. Posted on 13 Jul
Lee-on-the-Solent RS Aero Open
20 helms ventured to the seaside to enjoy two days of close fought racing Twenty RS Aeros ventured to the seaside to enjoy two days of close fought racing from Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club. With the wind set to be predominantly light to medium, the fleet gravitated towards a good sized 17 boat RS Aero 7 fleet. Posted on 22 Jun
2023 Irish RS Aero National Championships
24 entries, the largest Irish RS Aero fleet to date, competed in six races over two days Paul McMahon (Howth YC) is the 2023 Irish RS Aero National Champion after a masterful display of sailing, winning the event with a race to spare - counting four firsts and a third. Posted on 19 Jun