Write-Up
Papercourt RS Aero Open - Surrey, UK, 26 Sept
Thanks to Mark Carleton for his report;
Mirror-calm conditions and bacon butties welcomed 22 RS Aeros to Papercourt's fourth RS Aero open and there was much rig-swapping as competitors up-sized to suit the conditions. Thankfully, the breeze lived up to the forecast and filled in just in time for the first start.
Race 1 saw Sam Mettam sailing an RS Aero 7 demonstrate his local knowledge and how readily he has taken to his first season in RS Aeros staying with the RS Aero 9s all the way to the finish and winning with a comfortable margin on handicap.
In Race 2, Gareth Griffiths was first over the finish line in an RS Aero 9, but the locals looked to have it sewn up again on handicap with Mark Carleton and Sam Mettam rounding the last mark only seconds behind. However, Sam tried a little too hard to get passed Mark and ended up doing two(!) lots of turns giving Abby Hire an opportunity to sneak through into third.
Time for a refuelling stop and the combination of the ever-friendly RS Aero fleet, Papercourt's warm hospitality and generous provisions made for a very convivial lunch.
Back on the water for Race 3 and everyone remained very friendly and relaxed and most of the fleet were miles behind the line on the gun! The fleet was incredibly close for a lap and a half before Tim Hire showed why he is national champion, put his foot down and gained a full two minutes on the rest of the fleet.
In the final race of the day, the breeze picked up significantly making things a bit tougher for the RS Aero 9s. But nothing could stop Tim from claiming a second bullet and first place overall. Claire Power got her best result of the day with a 10th to take the prize for first RS Aero 5.
Finally ashore for trophies and copious quantities of cake! Congratulations to Tim Hire, 1st RS Aero 9 and 1st overall, Sam Mettam 1st RS Aero 7, Claire Power 1st RS Aero 5, Tom Ahlheid 1st Youth, Gareth Griffiths 1st Master and Abby Hire 1st Lady.
Thanks to Fraser Hayden and team for running a slick event on the water and to Jill Hamment and the galley crew for the fabulous spread.
Results
*Results amended on 4th Oct correcting PSC handicaps and rig sizes used 4 races, 1 discard, PY scoring
RANK |
SAIL |
NAME |
CLUB |
CLASS |
RATING |
R1 |
R2 |
R3 |
R4 |
TOTAL |
NETT |
1st |
1586 |
Tim Hire |
Lymington Town SC |
RS Aero 9 |
1024 |
3 |
-8 |
1 |
1 |
13 |
5 |
2nd |
3437 |
Sam Mettam |
Papercourt SC |
RS Aero 7 |
1068 |
1 |
-4 |
2 |
3 |
10 |
6 |
3rd |
1575 |
Mark Carleton |
Papercourt SC |
RS Aero 7 |
1068 |
6 |
1 |
4 |
-8 |
19 |
11 |
4th |
2077 |
Tom Ahlheid |
Frensham Pond SC |
RS Aero 7 |
1068 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
-7 |
19 |
12 |
5th |
3175 |
Gareth Griffiths |
Island Barn RSC |
RS Aero 9 |
1024 |
4 |
2 |
7 |
-11 |
24 |
13 |
6th |
2439 |
Abby Hire |
Lymington Town SC |
RS Aero 7 |
1068 |
5 |
3 |
-9 |
6 |
23 |
14 |
7th |
3877 |
Paul Haswell |
Hayling Island SC |
RS Aero 7 |
1068 |
10 |
-15 |
3 |
2 |
30 |
15 |
8th |
2071 |
Sam Blaker |
Thorpe Bay YC |
RS Aero 7 |
1068 |
8 |
6 |
-12 |
4 |
30 |
18 |
9th |
3305 |
Richard Bullock |
Itchenor SC |
RS Aero 7 |
1068 |
-9 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
27 |
18 |
10th |
603 |
Tristan Ahlheid |
Frensham Pond SC |
RS Aero 7 |
1068 |
-19 |
11 |
8 |
12 |
50 |
31 |
11th |
3127 |
Adam Thomson |
Shoreham SC |
RS Aero 7 |
1068 |
-17 |
10 |
15 |
9 |
51 |
34 |
12th |
3003 |
Andy Hicks |
Frensham Pond SC |
RS Aero 7 |
1068 |
14 |
9 |
13 |
(23DNC) |
59 |
36 |
13th |
1574 |
Richard Guy |
Papercourt SC |
RS Aero 7 |
1068 |
7 |
-16 |
16 |
15 |
54 |
38 |
14th |
1566 |
Joe Blaker |
Thorpe Bay YC |
RS Aero 7 |
1068 |
13 |
-14 |
11 |
14 |
52 |
38 |
15th |
1230 |
Paul Halliwell |
Red Wharf Bay SC |
RS Aero 9 |
1024 |
12 |
13 |
-14 |
13 |
52 |
38 |
16th |
1603 |
Rob Ahlheid |
Frensham Pond SC |
RS Aero 9 |
1024 |
11 |
12 |
-17 |
17 |
57 |
40 |
17th |
1705 |
Tom Wharmby |
Lymington Town SC |
RS Aero 7 |
1068 |
16 |
-17 |
10 |
16 |
59 |
42 |
18th |
2321 |
Claire Power |
Emsworth Slipper SC |
RS Aero 5 |
1120 |
15 |
18 |
-21 |
10 |
64 |
43 |
19th |
2286 |
Evelyn Tinker |
Papercourt SC |
RS Aero 5 |
1120 |
(23RET) |
20 |
18 |
19 |
80 |
57 |
20th |
2505 |
Neil Wharmby |
Lymington Town SC |
RS Aero 9 |
1024 |
18 |
-22 |
19 |
20 |
79 |
57 |
21st |
1583 |
David Rose |
Papercourt SC |
RS Aero 9 |
1024 |
20 |
19 |
20 |
(23DNC) |
82 |
59 |
22nd |
2724 |
Justin Meredith |
Papercourt SC |
RS Aero 7 |
1068 |
21 |
21 |
-22 |
18 |
82 |
60 |
|