21 RS Aeros hammered it out around a tight course at the top of the Lymington River in fresh gusty breeze for the annual festive edition of the showcase RS Aero Lymington Stadium Racing.

 

The fleet was quickly seeded into two flights to fit onto the compact course and like a grid of Go-Karts headed off the start line on a planing reach and into the first corner. RS Aero 7s and RS Aero 5s raced the breezy qualifiers together 'off scratch' before splitting into separate finals. The crowd of onlookers were not disappointed as the fleet sped around the course, stretching and compressing as ferocious gusts rattled down with little warning across the river. A few crazy swims were inevitable but all in all great fun, excellent exercise and great training (especially for the 4 competitors who are off to the World Champs in Australia after Christmas!) and on what was a chilly but sunny day.

 

After 6 brutal sprints of 2 laps each, giving about 10 minutes races, scores were totted and the finalists announced. We all know deep down that you are only as good as your last race and ultimately it was the RS Aero 9 European Champion Greg Bartlett who stepped up to clinch the RS Aero 7s.  Lily Barrett seized her opportunity to take early control of the RS Aero 5 final to cross the finish line in 1st as the crowd went wild!

 

Adjourning to the warmth of the Club for lunch the real conquest began - who had 2019s best Christmas Jumper? One keen reveller out classed all others. Having raced all morning in one fine festive knit he then had his second favourite seasonal garment ready to slam dunk the title over lunch. RS Aero Lymington Christmas Jumper 2019 title goes to....Will Taylor!

 

Thanks to Lymington Town SC and all the volunteers who made the exciting season closer possible.