RS Sailing: A Year of Celebration, Competition, and Community in 2024

A Year of Celebration, Competition, and Community in 2024 © RS Sailing

As we reflect on an incredible year, RS Sailing extends a heartfelt thanks to all the dedicated members of the racing community, from those organizing small local regattas to the passionate competitors and volunteers involved in high-profile international World Championship events.

The spirit, camaraderie and commitment to the sport of sailing is what drives RS Sailing forward, and we're immensely grateful for everyone who helped bring these experiences to life in 2024.

A Historic Start: RS Fest Miami

The 2024 season kicked off with the inaugural RS Fest Miami, marking RS Sailing's first-ever multi-class event in North America. Held at Coconut Grove Sailing Club, this landmark event saw RS21s, RS Aeros, RS Fevas and RS Teras racing under the warm Florida sun. The event laid the foundation for RS Sailing's growing presence in North America and provided sailors of all levels the chance to experience the excitement of competitive racing, the RS way.

A 30th Anniversary to Remember

From May 17th to 19th, 452 sailors in 287 RS boats gathered at Hayling Island Sailing Club to celebrate the 30th Anniversary Regatta. This milestone event honoured 14 of RS Sailing's iconic racing classes and the dedicated sailors who have made them legendary.

The atmosphere ashore harked back to the early days of RS, when the company brought together different classes at events to boost participation. There was a vibrant mix of youthful enthusiasm from RS Tera and RS Feva sailors, alongside the seasoned camaraderie of RS legends who have been part of the community for three decades.

While the sailors competed fiercely in the challenging light winds, they also relished the festivities onshore, perfectly embodying the balance for which RS Sailing is renowned. Thank you to all the sponsors and the 130+ volunteers who made the event a success. During the prize-giving, RS Sailing's Co-CEO Jon Partridge expressed his gratitude to everyone involved, a moment you can relive here. The regatta was a fitting tribute to three decades of RS Sailing's commitment to inspiring and shaping the dinghy sailing community.

The RS Aero: A Decade of Success

The RS Aero marked its 10th anniversary in 2024, and what a decade it has been for this iconic British-built single-hander. With multiple events throughout the year, culminating in a memorable World Championship, the RS Aero continues to serve as a catalyst for one of the most vibrant single-handed classes in the world.

The anniversary also marked the production shift of the RS Aero to RS Sailing's own facilities in Cowes, Isle of Wight. This move ensures tighter quality control, a lower carbon footprint, and reduced build costs, all of which benefit the customer. The first RS Aero hulls manufactured in Cowes were released in the autumn of 2024, with high demand already ramping up for 2025 deliveries.

Charity Challenges and Community Spirit

In addition to the racing calendar, RS sailors also embraced several charity challenges this year, using the trusty RS Aero as a tool to raise awareness and funds. Among the most remarkable was the Three Lakes Challenge - a non-stop, dinghy version of the famous Three Peaks Challenge, where Ken Fowler and RS Aero Class Manager Peter Barton, sailed the three longest lakes in Scotland, England, and Wales, covering a staggering 1,336 miles in total. This challenge, following on from Ken's incredible efforts in 2023, raised significant funds for Cancer Research UK.

In a similar vein, a team led by RS Sailing's Operations Director Richard Frost, embarked on a gruelling journey, cycling over 200 miles (including 5,000ft of elevation) from Coningsby, Lincolnshire to the Southampton International Boat Show. This 3-day challenge wasn't just cycling; the team towed an RS Aero behind them. The event raised over £14,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, in memory of the late, much-loved colleague Maciej Nowaczyk, who sadly lost his battle with cancer in February this year.

A Season of World-Class Competition

2024 was packed with exciting international competitions. One of the standout events was the RS Feva World Championship, held in Bruinisse, where 340 sailors from 18 nations gathered for an unforgettable week of racing. This event exemplified the global growth of the RS Feva class, with sailors from diverse countries making their mark in the top 20.

Shortly after, the RS500 World Championship was hosted in Bruinisse as well, with many RS Feva sailors stepping up into the RS500 class, continuing the progression of competitive sailing within the RS community.

The RS Tera World Championship broke records before it began; selling out registrations more than three months in advance of the event. 120 sailors took to the waters in Greve, Denmark, with some excellent racing and plenty of new friendships made.

The RS21 World Championship in L'Escala, Spain delivered fierce competition, with big winds and big waves providing a challenging and exhilarating week for competitors. Similarly, the RS Venture Connect World Championship, held in Rutland, UK, also saw plenty of wet, wild and windy conditions for sailors to enjoy.

New Horizons: The RS CAT12

RS Sailing also expanded its offerings in 2024 with the RS CAT12, a new catamaran designed to be lightweight, fun, and perfect for beginners, hire centres, and sailing schools. The RS CAT12 launched at La Rochelle Boat Show in October, embodying the spirit of simplicity and accessibility for the growing beach market.

Celebrating the RS Community

At the heart of everything RS Sailing does is the community. From local training weekends to World Sailing international competitions, the growth and success of RS Sailing is fuelled by its passionate sailors and dedicated partners. As Commercial Director Michiel Geerling puts it, "The RS Family is more than just a group of sailors and sales partners; it's a vibrant community of passionate sailing enthusiasts, each contributing to the growth and success of the brand in their own way."

Looking ahead, Co-CEO Jon Partridge added, "As we look to 2025, RS Sailing is poised for an exciting year of doing what we do best; making boats for sailors, by sailors. Thank you to our team, our worldwide dealers, our partners - and most importantly, the sailors - for your continued dedication."

Here's to another year of growth, innovation, and community as we enter into 2025 with excitement and enthusiasm! RS Sailing - celebrating the past, embracing the future.