RS Aero River Championships 2024 - Avon SC, Gloucester, Saturday 8^th June 2024

Visitors and members were greeted with a moderate to light westerly breeze. A total of 9 RS Aeros attended the event with 2 visitors.

After bacon rolls and a briefing from the Race Officer, Jon Wood, the sailing got under way. Three competitors chose the RS Aero 9 rig with the rest opting for the RS Aero 7 rig. Two back to back handicap races were held in the morning and two more after lunch, with 3 out of 4 results to count. The wind turned out to be incredibly shifty and gusty, changing direction 30 to 40 degrees in seconds and going from very light to allowing the boats to plane on occasion.

Race 1 saw Andrew Cooney (Broadwater SC) work his way to the front of the fleet closely followed by Fi Lucas (Avon SC). Matt White Avon SC) with the 9 rig coming 3^rd.
Race 2 saw the lead changing many times but Andrew Cooney managed to land another first place. Fi Lucas was again sailing well but came victim from a sharp gust and went for a swim to windward. Antony Lynall (Avon SC) came 2nd followed by Andy Warren (Avon SC) in 3^rd with the 9 rig.

Lunch was provided and the breeze didn’t change.  The course was moved down river for variety and in an attempt to be in a more favourable stretch for races 3 & 4.

Race 3 saw Antony Lynall get off to a great start, only to be another victim of the shifty wind, taking an early swim to windward. In this race, the leading two 9 rig boats got away with Andy Warren coming in first, followed by Matt White and then Fi Lucas with the 7 rig. Heath Adams (Avon SC) showed consistent good boat speed mixing it up with the lead boats.
Race 4 had it all to play for with any one of the top 5 boats still being able to win overall.  This time, Fi Lucas dominated the race and finished well ahead with Matt White in 2^nd & Andy Warren in 3^rd. Andrew Cooney came in 4^th.

The overall results of the top 4 boats were separated by just one point with Andrew Cooney taking the win after his successful morning. A superb day's racing and no rain to be seen!

4 races, 1 discard

1   Andrew Cooney - Broadwater SC - 6 points
2   Fi Lucas - Avon SC - 6 points
3   Andy Warren - Avon SC - 7 points
4   Matt White - Island Barn RSC - 7 points
5   Antony Lynall - Avon SC - 11 points
6   Heath Adams - Avon SC - 17 points
7   Mark Lambdin - Bradford-on-Avon SC - 19 points
8   Peter Lewis - Avon SC - 21 points
9   Tony Hughes - Avon SC - 26 points

Next Up for another unique RS Aero river sailing experience is the Bradford on Avon SC event in Wiltshire on Saturday 17th August. The light and nimble RS Aero provides a really rewarding and enjoyable river racing challenge, being easily manoeuverable and quick to accelerate! River sailing requires some specific skills providing a uniquely interesting challenge that can then improve your open water sailing too.