Last weekend, October 7 and 8, a new stage of the French Breizhskiff Series took place, this time at La Baule. Eight RS Aeros joined the event ready to rumble alongside the 30 mixed class skiff classes.

The lucky ones got to hit the water on Friday for a little training session exploring the coast in a light but sufficient breeze. The day continued for some of them with a pizza evening in the center of Pouliguen with the organisers.

Saturday serious things began. At 10:30, confirmation of registrations and preparing the boats. We are anticipating... a lot... the layout is set at 1:30 pm... Reading the race instructions. Questions to the Committee because we don't necessarily know the terms of different rules. We are learning...12:30, boats are ready, so are the Race Committee. Everything is looking good! Let's go, launch and sail out. The wind is not strong and also getting weaker. Never mind, the motivation is there.

The committee sets the course, waiting for the wind. Time flies, boats go round. A mini-breeze comes by from time to time but not enough. In spite of it all, there is hope! The committee starts the proceedings. The RS Aeros are "throwing" on their first-round assault. Timeo takes the lead followed by Nolwenn, Florence and Luc. The door under the wind is in sight and is getting closer. The wind is getting weak again and pfff, more wind... Hardly time to slowly finish the first round that the Committee prefers to cancel the round. Here's a pavilion that beginners (or not) in regatta can remember...

Here we go again for waiting. We turn, we lie, we wait, we tan, we chat... The committee decides to move the course. Wind (although light) appears to be a bit higher offshore. Hope is reborn . The volunteers are quickly changing the course. But ... the wind does not deserve to stabilize, neither in force nor in direction... We're waiting a little longer. You gotta make a reason though... Committee pronounces the return of boats ...

And that's how to end the first day of racing... Half a race was  run.

The Committee advances the first warning signal set for 9:30am on Sunday morning. Like the day before, we anticipate (almost all). We believe in it. The committee is not late. The wind is weak, weaker than forecasted and should fall quickly.

The committee starts the procedure for this first round of the day. Nolwenn and Claire take the lead in the first up to the wind but you have to hold on, the opponents are close! They walk through the doorway... fatal mistake ... Florence and Luc make the prudent choice of the starboard door and take the lead on the second upwind. At the finish line Luc is finally first, Florence second within a few seconds (but in RS Aero 5) and Nolwenn just behind. Anthony in fourth, Claire in fifth and Eric in sixth. Timeo, who arrived late, unfortunately missed this validated first round.

Here we go again for a while. As predicted, the wind is dropping... The committee is trying its best but the conditions are difficult.... The start is a struggle, boats are neither moving or very little... Like the day before, the committee prefers to cancel the race and hope the wind picks up. The wind did not return. After a bit of waiting again, the Committee isent the fleet back to the shore...Finally just only one race acieved this weekend.

The Committee did its best in difficultt conditions. Many thanks to its president, the jury and all the volunteers. Thanks also to CNBPP for hosting. For many La Baule was a new location and no doubt they will return there in the future!

Thanks also to all the RS Aeroists for their friendliness and solidarity with launching, recovery and assitance together.