RS Aero UK Northern Championship at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club

RS Aero UK Northern Championship at Yorkshire Dales © Paul Hargreaves Photography

Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club hosted the RS Aero Northern Championship for nineteen RS Aeros from six clubs who enjoyed fabulous champagne conditions with a good breeze and sun both days.

There was a great fleet of sixteen RS Aero 7s with one RS Aero 5, one RS Aero 6 and one RS Aero 9 on the fringes, so a 'full house' of rig sizes enjoying the very close and competitive racing.

RS Aero UK Northern Championship at Yorkshire Dales - photo © Paul Hargreaves Photography

The winner wasn't decided until the last race with Ian Escritt from Yorkshire Dales and Joe Scurrah from Carsington virtually equal on points. They'd traded firsts and seconds on Saturday and indeed most of the weekend with just an occasional slip. Overnight, Joe held a narrow lead, but Ian had the better total and discard.

The beer and curry social on Saturday evening was supplemented with a hot tub - enjoyed by some, while others chatted, had more beer, and admired the Yorkshire Dales sunset. Sunday started in similar conditions to Saturday, but got gradually windier.

RS Aero UK Northern Championship at Yorkshire Dales - photo © Paul Hargreaves Photography

First Joe and then Ian each won a race on Sunday morning, leaving the seventh and final race as the decider. Joe managed to get a slightly better start than Ian, and despite being passed by first Callum E, and then Keith E, Joe found the extra gear he needed to get through to take the first in the race and win the event with Ian coming in fourth and so second overall - just one point behind Joe. Close!

Third, fourth and fifth positions overnight had been occupied by Tim Sadler (YDSC's newly crowned Enterprise National Champion), Ellie Craig (Ladies National champion from Blackpool & Fleetwood) and Keith Escritt (also YDSC).

RS Aero UK Northern Championship at Yorkshire Dales - photo © Paul Hargreaves Photography

After a good Sunday with two second places and a third Keith took the third overall, with Tim slipping one place to fourth, and Ellie who - despite finding the windier conditions a little tougher for her lighter frame - used her fitness and skill to finish a strong fifth and first lady. Second lady in eighth was Cathy Lunn from Leigh & Lowton using her 6 rig to good effect on both days.

The whole fleet was highly competitive, with most usually finishing only seconds apart and with a few different faces fighting for places just behind the top pair. For example race six was led for two legs by Great Grandmaster Bill Pickup (16th overall). To summarise, it was a superb event and produced a worthy RS Aero Northern Champion in Joe Scurrah.

RS Aero UK Northern Championship at Yorkshire Dales - photo © Paul Hargreaves Photography

Overall Results: (please notify Y&Y of any errors)