Write-Up

RS Aero 5 & 7 UK National Championship - East Lothian YC, North Berwick, Scotland, UK, 28 July - 2 Aug
The RS Aeros returned to North Berwick on the East coast of Scotland for our RS Aero 5 & 7 UK Nationals, 5 years after our last Championship visit in 2019. Entries travelled for as far afield as France and the USA to compete.

Similar to the 2019 event the RS Aeros coincided with a heat wave in Scotland  to enjoy 5 glorious racing days of sunshine and a good mix of breezes. Variety was key with something for everyone from excitingly breezy to nice light/medium days - which were very welcome after a couple of days hard hiking! As ever, the waves off the East Lothian coast were fantastic, providing exhilarating and technically challenging downwind legs. For that extra dose of variety the last race on Day 3 was an 'Island Race' home, cutting close past the clifftop shores of Craigleith with all its sea birds on the way to the Lamb before a beat home to return to a finish off the Fairway.

East Lothian YC were as ever the perfect hosts, welcoming and ever helpful. The Class enjoyed two splendid sociable meals in the clubhouse together with daily awards bringing the fleet together in the early evening. North Berwick is a fantastic venue with its excellent race areas, fine beaches and its bustling seaside town.

The RS Aero 7 saw another Goliath contest between the 2023 RS Aero 7 World Championship top 2, Peter Barton (Lymington Town SC and Jack Miller (Felpham SC). They picked up were they left off at last year's worlds, evenly matched across a variety of conditions and alternately trading races, never being more than a few of points apart. Ultimately the title went to Peter again, securing the Champs in the penultimate race. Ian Renilson (Dalgety Bay) took a solid 3rd, together with top Master and Grand Master, and was always biting at the heels of the leaders. Ian is loving his RS Aero which provides this seasoned competitor the motivation to compete due to its fun and simplicity. Nick Craig (Burghfield/Frensham SC) had an impressive string of 1sts, but you can only achieve so much during the lunchtimes of a working week!

The RS Aero 5s saw a similarly close tussle between the past RS Aero 5 World Champ Andrew Frost (Sutton Bingham SC) and past RS Aero 5 World Youth Champ, Jonathan Bailey (Hunts SC). Andrew was dominant on the three breezier days whilst Jonathan secured a clean sweep of wins on the two lighter days. Ultimately with an excitingly breezy final day Andrew powered home to take the title. Sammy Isaacs Johnson (Maidenhead SC) took 3rd overall and enjoyed a victory in Race 5. Top Youth was Adam Craig (Burghfield SC) and top Female was Sophie Stockton (Maidenhead SC).

Thank you to the East Lothian YC for hosting a wonderful Championship and to Rooster for their generous support of the awards.

Next up from 25-30th August the Class reconvenes on the south coast of the UK for the 6th RS Aero World Championship and with 170 competitors now registered it is set to be fantastic fun both afloat and ashore at Hayling Island SC.

PHOTOS thanks to Steve Fraser;
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Results

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