Write-Up

Lymington Town SC Open - Hampshire, UK, 13th May

31 RS Aeros turned out to the Lymington Open to enjoy the western Solent at its best. Blue skies and a medium breeze were complimented by an upwind tide which turboed the breeze and provided a nice free ride back upwind.

Judging the priority between start line bias, tide and shifts with the cross-offshore NNE breeze was critical. Picking the tide assisted starboard layline well was an opportunity to gain good distance. Then the technique challenge on the long downwind into the tide with small waves to catch and weave through. Dreamy!

3 races were scheduled with no discard, to avoid wasting a third of such a pleasant day's racing with a thowout. Having all three races counting kept the results sheet fully live right up to the end of the final race. RS Aeros are reliable and un-complicated enough to not need a discard for breakdowns and if sailors have racing incidents they have the option to exonerate or return to start. 

The largest fleet was the RS Aero 7s where Craig Willliamson (Staunton Harold SC) won the first two races. However, with Stuart Hudson (Royal Lymington YC) winning the last race after two 2nds Craig then needed a top three to take the win. Craig made a come back to 2nd in the last race for the overall win from Stuart in 2nd and Chris Carden (Lymington Town SC) in 3rd.

Eight RS Aero 9s enjoyed the gusts which were just enough to promote planing when turning on the waves down the run. Rory Cohen (South Cerney SC) took 3rd with 3,3,4, with Richard Watsham (Starcross YC) taking 2nd on tie break with 2,2,6. With just a little more speed and consistency Peter Barton (Lymington Town SC) took 1st with a straight 1,1,1.

Consistency upset the RS Aero 6 rankings with both some course confusion and OCSs not returning to start. It was Richard Mayo (Lymington Town SC) with three top 3 results of 1,3,2 that secured the win from Graham Tribbeck (Lee on Solent) in 2nd with 3,4,1 and Chloe George (Lymington Town SC) 3rd. First place in the RS Aero 5s went to James McStay (Royal Lymington YC).

Thanks to all the volunteers at Lymington Town SC who made the great day's racing possible and to Rooster and Recycled Sail Bags for the awards at the prize giving.

Next up for the UK RS Aeros is POSH at Paignton 20/21st May followed by the RS Aero 6 & 7 Nationals at Weymouth on 27-29th May.
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