RS Aero Sustainability Challenge at Papercourt Sailing Club

RS Aero Sustainability Challenge trophies © RS Aero UK Class Association

A forecast of an entire day of thunderstorms didn't do much to encourage many entries to the annual RS Aero Sustainability Challenge at Papercourt SC. Thankfully, the promised storms didn't turn up and 6 committed RS Aero sailors fuelled up on bacon butties and took to the water in light and shifty conditions.

As a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Papercourt was an ideal venue to showcase sensitive management of the environment alongside sailing with our latest brood of signets watching over the launching.

In race 1, Mark Carleton was first to the windward mark having picked out some breeze on the left of the course with Sam Tozer, on his first outing in an RS Aero, chasing in hot pursuit. Jamie Robinson did well to stay in touch in his RS Aero 6 which he was sailing in competition for the first time.

There was much place swapping after lap 1 with Jamie dropping back to get into a tussle with Liz- Hill-Smith and Nic Allen. Nic showed some good pace to fight up the fleet and have a spell in second place before getting in a mainsheet tangle and slipping back. Sam had already snuck through into first but found his own private breeze to make his lead unassailable to take the first win.

A big header just before the start of race 2 kept everyone on their toes and Sam and Liz made the most of it to lead from the now-favoured end of the line. Jamie made some good gains downwind having chosen to sail low on the first run. The fleet ended up very spread out as the wind dropped and the consequences of a bad decision became very painful.

Sam, having got the hang of the RS Aero by now, led for most of the race, but on the final reach Mark got overlapped on the inside which turned the race into a match-race. A luffing match followed, then a tacking duel, followed by splitting tacks to race to opposite ends of the line. Following a photo-finish, Sam was confirmed as victorious for a second time just as the breeze died completely.

Lunch was a hearty and leisurely affair as the fleet waited in hope for the breeze to pick up. But unfortunately the wait was in vain and the afternoon racing was cancelled. Boats were packed up before returning to the clubhouse for trophies courtesy of The Green Blue and copious cake!

Congratulations to Sam Tozer 1st RS Aero 7 and 1st overall, Jamie Robinson 1st RS Aero 6 and 5th overall and to Susan Lewis securing 1st RS Aero 5 in her first event in the boat.

Thanks to Fraser Hayden and his race team for running smooth racing in such tricky conditions and to Jill Hamment and the galley crew for their warm hospitality and healthy portions!

Next Up for the UK RS Aeros on 28/29th September is the Salcombe YC Open which doubles as the RS Aero Masters Champs, the Notts County SC Open and the Scottish RS Aeros are at the Dalgety Bay SC Regatta. RS Aero UK Events List here.

Overall Results: