Write-Up

Draycote Dash (SailJuice) - Draycote WSC, Midlands, UK, 20/21st Nov

87 mixed class boats enjoyed a busy weekend of racing at Draycote to start the Selden SailJuice Winter Series. 8 RS Aeros had entered with 5 RS Aero 7s forming one of the larger fleets. 

A benefit of the two day mixed class handicap events is that a change in windstrength overnight can be a good equaliser of any bias between the light and strong wind performers. Light winds on day one saw several known light wind experts  (RS200, RS Vareo, Enterprise) at the front whilst on day two those with a heavier air preference (Topper, 420, Challenger) had their chance to answerback. Several classes proved to be all-rounders, capable in both the light and stronger airs (RS Aero 7, RS400, 505) and that assisted them in forming a reliable series of scores in the mixed conditions.

Saturday saw 4 handicap races in 5-8kn. It was a tough day's racing but enjoyable for it with a large variety of boats in the running. The RS Aero 7s finished the day with 2 boats in the top 10 from 87, in 6th and 10th. That was both pleasing and relieving after a tricky day when you never really know the damage until the corrected time results are published.

Sunday had one none discardable pursuit race in more wind of about 14kn. Some perky gusts added to the exitement and glorious sunshine shone all day. In the non discardable pursuit Peter Barton finished 9th to move up to 4th overall. Steve Norbury motored through to 16th and Ellie Craig took 30th, whilst a little overpowered in the RS Aero 7, to hang onto 11th overall and Top Lady.

In the SailJuice Series Top Class rankings the RS Aero 7s are now running 3rd out of 35 classes after the first event! Scoring is based on best three results for each class across every race.

Thanks to Draycote Water SC and SailJuice for an excellent mass event and to our very own Richard Pye and his race team for so efficiently running such excellent racing over the weekend. Event sponsors Fernhurst Books provided a wonderful array of books for the prizes and it was fabulous to have the SailJuice Series sponsor Steve Norbury of Selden out mixing it in his RS Aero.

Winter 2021-22 Gallery for larger photos

Next Up in the SailJuice Series is Datchet on 11/12th Dec followed by split venues at both Burghfield and Yorkshire Dales on Monday 27th Dec. Our last RS Aero open of the season is this Saturday 27th at Bowmoor and for those in the sunny southwest it is the Paignton Christmas Cracker on Sunday 5th Dec. Lots of Class coaching going on with fixtures at Eastbourne, Draycote and Bowmoor before the end of the year. There is no excuse to slow up - especially with the Class Member's 20% discount at Rooster so you can stay warm, smart and comfortable! 

Full details of all UK events are on the RS Aero UK Events List

Results