Twenty RS Aeros from all over the Hexagon and Germany met last weekend for the 3rd French National Championship of the class. Not perfect weather but a friendly and sporty weekend...
Friday 16th: Coaching
The National's festivities began on Friday with a coaching day under François Husson's guidance. In a short time, the RS Aeros have stepped onto the Pointe Saint-Gildas waterfront to perfect their downhill, cunningham and edge settings. We shoot from one side, we release the other, we open the veil, we make it "flap-flap" the gate, the edge, the crane, everything goes! ... RS Aero is sport and concentration.
After a few hours on the water, coaching ended with very explicit videos on the good and bad of doing on the small boat. A big thank you to François Husson for his explanations and pedagogy. Now everyone will have to practice to move forward again and again.
The participants couldn't stay there, they all met at Luc's for an aperitif and barbecue. Local elder wine, Breton beers, northern beers, prefou, troutpinette... The Aperitif is like the RS Aero, everything goes there too.
But everything coming to an end, 22 hours, falling in the night, everyone finds his penalties, serious things start the next day. A very good evening! To be updated on future sites. A big thank you to Luc for his welcome and to all those who brought regional products.
Saturday 17th, day 1:
Mid-day, clear sky, no wind... The committee will test the water plan offshore. Despite the petroleum, the decision is made, we launch hostilities... but slowly ....
The first leg is short in a mini breeze, it's "easy" for some, hell for others. Ludovic, Benoît, Nicolas, Florence and Arnaud are in front.
And some crack-boom! The storm is brewing in. The committee is playing safe and prefers to send everyone down as long as the storm cell passes. Lucky for us, it doesn't last long and we're sent back out on the water to continue the Regatta with lightning in 'background'.
The wind rises to the great satisfaction of the regatiators. For the 2nd round, if the race head is still led by Nicolas H. , Ludovic and Benoît, Cédric whose first time sailing in Aero made a nice 4th place and Nolwenn 5th.
The 3rd and final innings of the day continues to beat the cards. A good part of the race was led by Nicolas, Luc and Nolwenn. Top 2 retain their place at the finish line. Nolwenn, who somehow forgot to drift down the very last edge, is swallowed by Ludovic and Benoît before giving Olivier another spot on the very last edge.
At the end of this first day, the first 3 (Nicolas H. Ludovic and Benoît) begin to break out in the ranking with 2, 3 and 5 points respectively. The following are tight: Luc (10 points), Cédric, Florence, Nolwenn and Arnaud (11 points).
It's a little more complicated for Serge, Timéo and Nicolas who have more trouble to compete in a short time in Aero 5.
Sunday 18th, day 2:
It is raining ... Showers happen, so do storm cells. We are patient. Drinking coffee, nibbling on the leftovers of the regatta party. Getting the boats ready when the rain stops.
Around 11:30, like the day before, the committee left to test the water plan. Midi, battle swing on the harbor! Everyone jumps in their wet suit, wet for many and as it rains intermittently, those lucky enough to have a dry suit will not enjoy it for long! It's in a beautiful petroleum and current that the regators join the boat committee, it's the first test of the day! We're still waiting, on the water this time, we wait. No wind... The committee discusses, consult the registrars....... what to do??? Do we bow or do we wait? Cedric states that at 2 pm, the wind will start to return. The decision has been made to wait for 14h. Until then the committee moves and anticipates the route, it will be small. No start can be given after 3pm, it has to be played fine. As expected, the winds are picking up (slightly)
The first leg of the day is underway. The first opponent of the Regatiers is the current... There are many who have to repair the "touch" of the wind buoy. Arriving in the lead of the round Nicolas H. , Cedric and Ludovic
Tick tock, tick tock... It's almost 3 pm! The committee is doing everything possible to play a final round. Maybe even this last round is slightly past 3pm but everyone is happy and the breeze is picking up. The final round is beautiful! Bless the victory over John and Cédric.
Congratulations to Cédric and Luc (4th and 5th), the Prefaillais who defended themselves well on their water level.
Well done Pierre and Eric starting in Aero but not giving up for the 2 days.
Congratulations to Serge, Timéo and Nicolas for their perseverance in Aero 5. Probably with more wind things would have been different.
Congratulations to Benoît, Thomas, Olivier, Nolwenn, John, Arnaud, Jom and Florence who make absolutely honorable places!
Thank you all for your participation and good humor!
Personally, I support this National:
- As a regatta, nothing is played in advance. If some dominate the class, for others, the cards are defeated in the wire and everyone can find themselves in the end. Don't give up on anything!
- That RS Aeroists are extremely friendly! (But no one doubted it)
- That I definitely don't like the little time...
- That I can fit myself in certain conditions.
Thanks to the race committee led by Thomas Romont and to Ode Papaïs for the arbitration.
Thanks to the Loire Sailing League, to Stéphane from the municipal sailing school, to Alizon du port.
Thanks volunteers for a great weekend. Without the volunteers, no demonstration is possible.
Thanks to Ben for the zodiac and Briag for the photos.
See you next year for Nationals 2024! But until then, more adventures await...
-Nolwenn