Write-Up

The RS Aeros formed part of the hugely popular RS Classes event which max out at its 160 boat capacity a month in advance! There were a total of 27 RS Aero entries across the three RS Aero rig sizes, with the largest being the ‘7’ fleet with 15 boats. The fleet was grouped into two starts, with the 5 & 9 rigs going together shortly followed by the 7 rigs.

In the ‘5’ fleet, the racing was a close battle between recently crowned National Champion Archie Hainsworth and Matthew Caiger representing Sevenoaks School. In the end Matthew came out on top by a point. Both of these youth sailors showed excellent skill especially on the Sunday in testing wind over tide conditions and pushed each other hard in every race.

The ‘7’ fleet was dominated by local sailor Chloe Martin who counted four 1st places and discarded a 1st. Pretty convincing really, and hardly surprising given the level of results in Laser Radials that Chloe has previously achieved. It certainly set a high benchmark and everybody enjoyed getting a momentarily look at "how to do it properly”. Another young local sailor and Scorpion fleet legend Alex Hayman was 2nd overall counting only podium results. In 3rd place was Isle of Wight based Jane Peckham showing blistering upwind speed in Sunday’s breeze. Special mention needs to be made of Ffinlo Wright travelling from the Isle of Man for the event achieving 4th place, taking a long break from sailing whilst he studied for his GCSEs.

In the ‘9’ fleet regular class travellers Richard Watcham, Nigel Rolfe and Matt Thursfield slugged it out for the Top 3 positions, with Class met expert and jolly nice bloke Richard coming out on top with 3 wins. A mention in dispatches is required for Burghfield sailor Peter Chaplin taking a win on Saturday and then backing it up with two OCS to celebrate on Sunday!

Results