Straight after the UK Nationals a fleet of 16 RS Aeros convened at Lymington for the first RS Aero Open of the year (Eastbourne excluded) hosted by the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.

 

The Lymington Clubs are keen to get back to some open racing and the local RS Aero fleet is as strong as ever with an enthusiastic training posse meeting several times a week through the summer to prepare for the Nationals.

 

We certainly made the most of a good race day with a prompt start and 4 race back-to-back races scheduled. The challenge of a tide turn half way through and a steadily increasing shifty puffy offshore cross tide breeze provided many race-craft conundrums through what was a pleasantly sunny day.

 

In the RS Aeros 7s Tim Hire dominated the day, sailing cleverly and fast to three 1sts. Peter Barton pulled just 1 win back off him with a first beat left flyer coming good. Jack Miller of Felpham SC took 3rd with a 2,3,3  from new owner, Jonathan Burns of Spinnaker SC.

 

The RS Aero 5s proved to be a two way contest between the Youth sailors Tom Ahlheid of Frensham Pond SC and Abby Hire of Lymington with Tom taking three race wins for overall victory. Cathy Bartram of Chew Valley LSC took third and it was great to see possibly the worlds most senior RS Aero sailor 'Great Great Grand Master' (85+ years!), Peter Conway of Lymington, in amongst the action and finishing all four of the races as the breeze picked up.

 

Many thanks to the Royal Lymington Yacht Club for their enthusiasm to host and their setting up of the event and volunteers on short notice. After an unusual season it was great to have a day's open event with some good racing challenges and excellent sailing.

 

Next up is another one day event this Saturday 12th at Burton Sailing Club near Derby in the Midlands and a weekend event away on the pretty estuary at Salcombe, Devon on 26/27th. Full details on the RS Aero UK Events List.