RS Aeros were once again the largest adult class at the record entry 2023 Teignouse Cup in Quiberon over the long week end of 6-8th May which the French RS Aero fleet used as their second Open event of the year. Nineteen RS Aeros from all corners of France entered, mostly with RS Aero 7 rigs but with two 6’s and four 5’s for four days of sailing. Friday was a pre-event coaching day kindly provided by Nicolas Honor of RS-France and ex Olympian Florence Le Brun with a series of short races followed by a debrief in the clubhouse and a BBQ overlooking the bay.

 

Day 1 of racing was held in moderate 8-10 kts of wind out in scenic Quiberon Bay. The Port Blanc duo of Benoit Radier and Ludovic Roblin who have been training together all winter showed their efforts had paid off as these two swapped the leaderboard for all four races with Benoit Cailleux from Amiens showing consistency to lie third after the first day. Everyone then happily adjourned to a local restaurant.

 

Day 2 started grey and drizzly with a light northerly wind. The forecast was for the weather and wind to improve and Quiberon Bay delivered to provide a fantastic day of champagne sailing. The Race Officer held two “normal” races around the trapezoid course out in the bay then opted for the long distance “Raid” using cardinal buoys and landmarks in the bay. The sun was shining and the wind had steadily increased from an initial 10 kts for race one to 16 kts plus at the start of the long distance race. With a committee boat start and beat up to the first Cardinal buoy Jon Mills lead at the first mark closely followed by Ludovic Roblin. Not being entirely sure where the “landmarks" were Jon was almost pleased to be overtaken by Ludovic as the fleet continued up the long windy beat to Rocher de la Tortue and the short reach to an inflatable placed mark. A further leg stretching beat followed and at the furthest windward Cardinal buoy, Ludovic rounded first with a 30m lead from Jon who in turn had Arnaud Bouchez on his tail closely followed by series leader Benoit.

 

The next two legs were pure RS Aero champagne sailing. Ludovic and Jon stretched their respective leads on the windy downwind run to the gybe mark and the 3 km flat out, in the toe straps, screaming broad reach to the final leeward mark. Ludovic rounded with a convincing lead, Jon was comfortably second but Benoit managed to just sneak ahead of Arnaud on the relatively short beat to the committee boat finish. Ludovic had had a more consistent day overall with 2,1,1 against Benoit’s 1,3,3 to take the series lead as tired but happy sailors headed back for oysters provided by the club.

 

The final Day 3 saw a steady 12kt westerly with three back to back close races. Positions swapped constantly during all three but Benoit managed to reassert his lead with three bullets, Ludovic cemented second with three 2nds and Arnaud Bouchez came out on top of the tight scrap for third just ahead of Florence LeBrun and Jon Mills.

 

The Teignouse Cup and Quiberon delivered once again with fine weather, good breeze and its usual wonderful ambience. The race committee and club were excellent on and off the water. The only outstanding question being where was the rest of Europe and the UK for this excellently run, annual three day dinghy sailing treat? It will certainly be on the RS Aero calendar at the same time next year - Save the date!

French Gallery for larger photos
Video