Write-Up

DAY 1 & 2
54 RS Aero 5 & 7s have been enjoying Tenby in South Wales to contest the 2023 RS Aero 5&7 UK Nationals. Tenby’s vibrant town, welcoming sailing club and wonderful beaches provide an excellent setting for this year's week long champs.

For the first two days breezes have been fresh from the southwest with wonderful waves creating exhilarating sailing with splendid downwind surfs and then a free ride back upwind on the ebb tide! Three races each day with three laps on each of the inner and outer loop courses with downwind gates have given the racers plenty to think about. Tired but smiling bodies return ashore with abundance of race stories at the end of each day.

The RS Aero 7 fleet is tightly contested at the front. Tim Hire (Lymington) is a couple of points clear with three 1sts. Jack Miller (Felpham) is close behind after a 1,2,3 on day 2. A few points back are Noah Rees (Torpoint Mosquito) and Peter Barton (Lymington) with a win each.

In the RS Aero 5s Tom Ahlheid (Frensham) has been revelling in the fresh conditions with a string of four solid 1sts. In the chase are Andrew Frost (Sutton Bingham) counting 2s and 3s, Mark Ripley (Paignton) and Sam Blaker (Thorpe Bay) with a win each and Tristan Ahlheid (Frensham).

A full social programme is arranged in Tenby’s lovely clubhouse on the harbour quay. The Commodore’s Reception provided an excellent spread of tasty food which followed the Race Briefing and pre-event coaching session ashore. Daily awards and Top-Tips from the leaders at the end of Day 1. After Day 2 it was the Class annual AGM followed Penderyn Welsh Whisky tasting evening which proved very popular sampling four of their best single malts.  Penderyn are generously providing six of their popular Madeira casked whisky as prizes. Later in the week are the BBQ, Disco and Band evenings. Every day has a Happy Hour at Tenby Sailing Club!

DAY 3
The RS Aero 5 & 7s launched for another breezy day for DAY 1 of this year’s UK Nationals. The wind was slightly lighter than the day before with 15-18kn and nice waves, but slightly smaller waves due to the more offshore wind.

In the RS Aero 7s Tim Hire (Lymington) extended his lead with a 1,2,1. The big mover of the day however was Craig Williamson who made big gains on the leaders with a 2,1,1. Jack Miller (Felpham) retains 2^nd overall with a 3,4,3 and Noah Rees (Torpoint Mosquito) 3^rd overall with a 4,3,4.

The RS Aero 5s saw series leader Tom Ahlheid (Frensham) have another solid day with a 1,5,1. Andrew Frost (Sutton Bingham) retains 2^nd overall with a 2,2,4 and Mark Ripley (Paignton) steps up to 3^rd with a second race win.

Tuesday night was Disco night flowing the BBQ at Tenby’s lovely clubhouse on the harbour quay.  There was much revelling before competitors relax into Wednesday’s lay-day and the talk of exploring the enchanting local area before beach cricket at low tide in the afternoon; Great Britain vs Australia!

DAY 4
A tricky day with two races in a lighter shifty offshore breeze and tide running downwind. An opportunity for the lighter weights to bounce back!
In the RS Aero 7s Peter Barton took the first race from Joe Scurrah (Carsington) and in the second race Joe Scurrah won from Rupert Stock (Royal Lymington).
Last year's RS Aero Youth Worlds and UK Nationals champion, Jonathan Bailey (Hunts), won the day in the RS Aero 5s with a 3,1 from Yana Skvortsova (Island Barn) with a 4,3.
The fleet enjoyed an awesome band in Tenby Sailing Club that night.

DAY 5 - Overall
Just 1 race in a tricky light breeze before the Race Officer sent the fleet home after the bay went calm again.
Joe Scurrah won another race in the RS Aero 7s and Jonathan Bailey won again in the RS Aero 5s. Tim Hire rounded out his series with a 2nd to take his second RS Aero 7 UK Nationals title and Tom Ahlheid retained his lead to take his first RS Aero 5 UK Nationals title.

1st Family was Tom & Tristan Ahlheid, Frensham Pond SC, with 1,5 narrowly beating Tim & Abby Hire’s 1,6. Lymington Town SC retained the Club title for the 9^th consecutive year with a 1,4,6, just ahead of Royal Lymington’s 1,6,7

Aussie visitor, Gary Ratcliffe (Georges River, NSW), took 1^st Master in the RS Aero 7s and Gurnard’s Kingsley Brown took 1^st Grand Master. In the RS Aero 5s top Youth was Tristan Ahlheid (Frensham) with George Lenney (Restronguet) winning the Junior award. Top Female was Abby Hire (Lymington). 1^st Female Master was Robyn Ratcliffe (Georges River, NSW) and top Master David Ellis (Lymington).
Congratulations to everyone, especially the winners!

Thanks to Tenby Sailing Club for hosting an excellent week's championship and to Rooster and Penderyn Welsh Whisky for their support.

Photos
Summer 2023 Gallery for larger photos
Facebook Album
Full Gallery on the Tenby SC site

Results