RS Aero Forum

Day 1 & 2: From Big Breeze to Light Airs 🌊⛵

The RS Aero Europeans & Youth Worlds got underway in spectacular style at Travemünder Woche, with Mother Nature keeping everyone on their toes from the very start.

Day 1 dawned grey and overcast, with gusts nudging 30 knots and some impressive waves rolling into the bay. The Race Committee wisely held the fleets ashore while the strongest breeze and biggest seas settled, giving sailors just a little longer to sip coffee, tweak their settings and keep one eye firmly on the forecast.

Eventually, the breeze eased just enough, and the fleet launched into what can only be described as an unforgettable day on the water. Huge rolling waves provided the perfect playground, with sailors enjoying exhilarating downwind rides, spectacular surfing and plenty of spray. Judging by the smiles back ashore, nobody minded the wait once they got out there!

Three races were completed for the RS Aero 5 and 6 fleets, while the RS Aero 7 and 9 fleets powered through four races, setting up some fascinating battles across all four classes.

If Day 1 was all about big breeze and surfing down waves, Day 2 couldn't have been more different! ☀️

The sunshine returned, but the wind didn't quite get the memo. Light, shifty conditions kept both sailors and race officials on their toes as the breeze played hide-and-seek across the course. After one challenging race afloat, the decision was made to bring the fleets ashore rather than wait for a breeze that never really settled.

Far from being disappointed, sailors made the most of an unexpected afternoon ashore, soaking up everything that Travemünder Woche has to offer. Whether it was wandering around the bustling waterfront, grabbing an ice cream, enjoying the festival atmosphere or catching up with friends over coffee, it was a welcome chance to recharge before the championship resumes.

RS Aero 5

The RS Aero 5 fleet wasted no time getting down to business. With over 60 boats on the start line, consistency quickly proved to be the key.

Estonia's Jorgen Kuivonen made the strongest start, putting together an impressive scoreline of 3, 1, 2 to lead the fleet on just six points. Britain's Jonathan Bailey sits just five points behind after a solid and consistent day (6, 4, 1), while Teddy Dunn rounds out the top three after opening with a race win before adding two sixth places.

The fight for the top spots is already shaping up to be a close one. Noah Carden enjoyed an excellent day with finishes of 4, 3 and 8 to sit fourth overall, while Chloe George recovered brilliantly from seventh in Race 1 to finish second in Race 2, ending the day fifth overall.

RS Aero 6

The RS Aero 6 fleet produced some of the closest racing of the championship, with just one point separating the top three after three races.

Ukraine's Sofiia Naumenko leads the way with an impressively consistent 3, 2, 5 scoreline. Just one point behind are Australia's Rhett Gowans, who opened with back-to-back race wins, and Britain's Sam Blaker, whose consistency keeps him firmly in the title hunt.

Andrew Frost rounded off the day with victory in Race 3 to move into fourth overall alongside Germany's Andreas John, ensuring the battle at the front remains incredibly close.

RS Aero 7

The RS Aero 7 fleet belonged to Sweden's Aron Wärnberg, who produced a flawless performance with four race wins from four starts. It was a masterclass in consistency that gives him an early lead.

Behind him, Britain's Jack Miller and Noah Rees occupy second and third after equally impressive opening series, while Mark Ripley and Dominic Hall complete a highly competitive top five.

RS Aero 9

Canada's Baabii'O Flower matched Wärnberg's perfect start in the RS Aero 9 fleet, claiming four wins from four races to establish an early lead.

Sweden's Erik Wahlberg sits second after an equally consistent run of second places before finishing third in the final race, while fellow Swede Erik Engström holds third overall. Britain's Chris Larr and USA's Boris Mezhibovskiy complete the top five after excellent opening performances.

Two days in, the championship has already delivered everything from survival conditions to tactical drifting, huge waves to glassy patches, and plenty of smiles both on and off the water. With discard races now coming into play and the forecast promising more variety, the battle for the European and Youth World titles is only just getting started.

#RSAero #RSAeroEuropeans #YouthWorlds #RSGames #TravemünderWoche #Sailing #RaceWeek #BigBreeze #LightAirs #SeeYouOnTheWater 🌊⛵

Getting Your Boat to the RS Games 2026: Travel Webinar with James Curtis

RS500 UK Class Chair James Curtis will host a ‘Travemünde Travel Tips’ webinar at 7pm on Wednesday 25^th March for sailors who are planning to attend the RS Games 2026, in Germany. With multiple travel routes, transport options and the ever-present question of “how do I get my boat there?”, James will share practical advice for sailors travelling from the UK to Germany.

Held every four years, the RS Games is the biggest celebration of RS sailing worldwide. In 2026, 12 classes have been invited to compete, with 13 championships taking place across the 10 day schedule - including Worlds and Europeans! The format allows sailors to hop between classes and take part in back-to-back events if they wish.

The Games will run in partnership with Travemünde Woche, one of the largest sailing festivals in Northern Europe. With its lively waterfront, packed racing schedule and social programme, the event promises an incredible festival atmosphere and is firmly one for the diary this summer!

More than 1,000 sailors are expected to take part, and entries already represent over 24 nations. The UK contingent is shaping up to be particularly strong.

Practical Advice for Travelling with your RS

An avid RS sailor with experience towing on the continent, James brings plenty of experience to the discussion.

“After spending the last 15 years trekking around Europe for RS500 Worlds and Eurocups I've got a few lessons to share and hopefully encourage some traditionally domestic boats to come and enjoy one of our favourite venues.”

James will also be joined by Michiel Geerling, Head of Commercial at RS Sailing. Michiel is not only instrumental in organising the RS Games but he’s also lived and breathed RS Sailing as a sailor, having spent more than two decades competing across Europe in RS classes - including plenty of long-distance towing trips of his own!

“One of the things that makes the RS Games so special is seeing sailors from all over the world come together in one place. We’re already seeing sailors planning the journey from all across Europe, but also from as far away as Canada and Australia! When people are willing to travel that far with their boats just to be part of the event, you know it’s going to be something really special.”

Topics the Webinar Will Cover

• How to get there: ferry routes, driving options and travel planning
• Towing in Europe: key rules and requirements in different countries
• What to expect at the Games: venue setup, racing, atmosphere and experiences from previous events

How To Join 

Sailors can join the webinar via Microsoft Team using the following link: 

• Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/32072643833563?p=LoiuBby4IxIG1IBjGR 
• Meeting ID: 320 726 438 335 63
• Passcode: Zi9mf7NJ

The session is open to all RS Class Association members, as well as sailors considering joining an RS Class and taking part in the RS Games 2026.

Have a specific question you’d like answered? Submit it in advance via this Question Submission Form.

A big thank you to James for hosting and sharing his knowledge - we’re looking forward to it!

For more information about the RS Games 2026, visit: https://www.rssailing.com/rsgames2026/

• Dover – Calais / Dunkirk
• Newcastle – Amsterdam
• Rosslare – Dunkirk

Hi Emmet,
See post below. 

The RS Aeros will on the Grunstrand green with other RS Classes.
The Grundstrand is identified as area 2 on the attached map image, or check the below location link.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aWti4YcQg4iyeffC9?g_st=ipc