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New 2023 RS Aero 6 PY Numbers, UK
The new Feb 2023 RYA (UK) PY numbers are out and the RS Aero 6 is '1105'.
https://www.rya.org.uk/racing/technical/handicap-systems/portsmouth-yardstick
This remains on the Experimental Number list based on fewer returns whilst the RS Aero 6 Class continues to grow. With the RS Aero 6 rigs only being supplied since May 2022 the we can expect that the Feb 2023 number is based on significantly more race data than the initial publication in August 2022 of '1094' . In my view the change now puts the RS Aero 6 the right side of the ILCA 7 which is now +1 to 1101. Results to date show that it is not often that well matched RS Aero 6s will beat ILCAs on the water. The best opportunity of that happening is likely when it is windy.
The March 2023 Great Lakes (UK) PY numbers are also out now and their new RS Aero 6 number is also '1105'. http://greatlakes.org.uk/The-Data.php
This is an increase of +5 on the 2022 GL number, but not relatively as much as RYA increase as the GL numbers are generally a little higher at this level (the RS Aero 5 & 7 are both 6 points higher on GL scheme.
The Great Lakes numbers are predominantly used at the large winter events in the UK (like the SailJuice and Southwest Series) and are calculated slightly differently, see the link for info on that.
The first stab at a 'Class Recommended' number for the initial prototype RS Aero 6 was suggested to be about midway between the RS Aero 5 & 7 on any particular PY scheme. For the final production version a sliver of area was taken off and the sail made flatter to reduce the optimal weight range by a little following feedback from sailors. With the power of the production RS Aero 6 now skewed slightly closer to the RS Aero 5 than the RS Aero 7 the new RYA PY number being equally skewed below the mid point is as we might expect.
It is great to see fantastic uptake in the RS Aero 6 both in the UK and Worldwide. This will serve to produce an ever increasing amount of race data and we can expect the RS Aero 6 to be added onto the main RYA list before long.Reply 03/03/2023 16:15:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4971
Combining a duplicate thread into this one;
07/12/2022 Blake Newman posted;
Looks as if RYA have published an experimental PY number for the RS Aero 6 of 1094, apposed to the Class recommendation of 1100 as originally mentioned at launch.
My club is now adopting the 1094 handicap, to be fair I feel difference between 6 is so marginal it's not going to make a big impact.
How are others currently getting on within handicap racing and do you feel ~1094/1100 is a good ballpark?
08/12/2022 David Gibson posted;
At Tata Steel Sailing Club we are currently using 1104 for the RS Aero 6. Although I have not yet sailed many races with the 6 rig, using 1094 is going to make me even less competitive, especially in lighter non-planing airs. Maybe I am just getting too old!
12/12/2022 Gordon Syme posted;
I'm currently crewing a Fireball in our local winter series. The organisers are using 1094 for the RS Aero 6s and they are doing just fineReply 03/03/2023 14:44:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4971
09/12/2022 12:08:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4971
Peter,
Thank you for your comprehensive reply - most helpful. I have passed your comments onto our club Vice-Commodore. As someone who has recently got the 6 rig and races in a competitive club handicap fleet, I shall be interested to see how the actual assessed PN pans out over the course of time. As a club we always provide our results to the RYA.
Regards
David Gibson - 3398
Reply 20/05/2022 08:02:00
David Gibson
Posts: 10
Hi David,
There is no official RYA PY number for the RS Aero 6 yet as it requires sufficient race data to produce and the production rig is new this month. Hopefully we will have that by the Feb 2023 annual release.
Based on extensive testing and racing of the prototypes against other RS Aero rigs and similar classes over the past 3 years a number near the mid point between the RS Aero 5 & 7 numbers (on whatever local or national corrected time scheme is being used globally) has proven about right and this is what new RS Aero 6 owners ought be suggesting to race organisers as a 'Class Recommended' number.
On the UK's RYA PY scheme this gives '1100' as the current 'Class Recommended' number.
The UK's Great Lakes Scheme (predominantely used for the SailJuice UK Winter Series events) is more dynamic and has already published a number of 1104 with limited data, just faster than their RS Aero 5 & 7 mid point.
Whilst a good pool of data would help validate any proposed number we really do not expect too many suprises here. The RS Aero 5 & 7 each have a huge amount of race data now and the RS Aero 6 is quite literally about half way in between. I expect that any refinement on the Class Recommendation is likely to be of less than 0.5% (that is 5 points on the UK numbers and just 12 seconds in a 40 minute race).
If necessary for RS Aero 6 sailors and race organisers to agree a number, I can provide links to the ever increasing amount of good race data. Just request that from me.
UK RS Aero 6 Sailors should please ensure your UK club and race organisers are returning their race data returns to the RYA, so that an official RYA PY number may be produced as early as possible.
As new owners race their RS Aero 6s at clubs and events they could report their sailing & PY experiences here which will help the global Class share an understanding. Reply 19/05/2022 11:32:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4971
What is the official Portsmouth Number for the Aero 6. Is it 1100, 1104 or something else? It is not listed on the RYA 2022 List.Reply 19/05/2022 07:11:00
David Gibson
Posts: 10