Write-Up

Four brand new boats kick start the new squad's winter training programme

The RS Aero5 squad kicked off their first of 5 training weekends in conjunction with the RS Tera squad in pleasingly mild temperatures, glorious sunshine and a perfect medium breeze. 5 keen young sailors and one, slightly less young, Tera parent joined the 55 Teras for a busy weekend of initiation. Four of the boats were brand new with 3 of the lucky young sailors eagerly taking delivery that morning. Simon Letton of RS was on hand to give a valuable induction covering all the bases from rigging and launching to boat care. (thanks Simon!)

The on the water focus was all about familiarity and fun in the new boats. We warmed up with many tacks, gybes and mark roundings. Then onto short course racing experimenting with sail controls and various techniques in order to try to understand how the variables made a difference. The medium/fresh breeze was perfect, enough to have a lot of fun, fully powered up and planning, whilst not windy enough to be overly testing on the first outing.

Having the bigger rigged Aero along and also a guest Phantom sailor on the course was interesting. When the breeze kicked in such that the bigger rigged boats were overpowered upwind and the 5s were planning downwind the '5's were looking very impressive!

At the end of day 1 true to the schedule coach, Peter Barton, instigated a capsize frenzy. Always sensible when you embark on a new to a class! We agreed on 3 drills:

1. The 'dry' capsize, hoping over the top
This was the easiest with the sailors hopping straight in as the boat came up.
With its light, sealed rig the Aero tends to come upright before you can fully climb on the centreboard. None of our sailors had a problem then climbing in amidships with a kick of the legs and a pull on the cockpit grab rails. Larger, less agile sailors have alternatively come in over the transom successfully.

Results