Write-Up

RS Aero UK Southern Champs - Hayling Island, UK, 31May-1 June

Thanks to Hayling Island SC for their report;
With the memory still fresh from hosting the 2024 RS Aero World Championships, it was time for HISC to host 38 visitors to add to the 13 HISC entrants, to make 51 for the 2025 RS Aero UK Southern Area Championships. It turned out to be a continuation of that fantastic event, with 6 races in Hayling's best conditions. We had to wait until 14:00 on Saturday for a 5 knot South Westerly to appear out of the mist, into Hayling Bay West, but by the time we had reached the first mark it had already built to 8; by the 2nd beat was 12, and it kept going, to peak at around 20 knots by the end of race 3, with the sea state building accordingly.

By the end of 3 races on Saturday, reigning World Champion Ben Flower was leading the RS Aero 9s with James and Dom Hall from HISC in 2nd and 3rd. Regular podium occupant Craig Williamson leading the RS Aero 7s with Peter Barton and Jack Miller in close attendance. Recent transferee from the 7 rig, Joe Scurrah, led the 6-riggers, with Sam Blaker who just missed the podium at the Worlds in 2nd, with Spike Daniels of HISC completing the top 3. Recently-crowned European Champion Sammy Isaacs Johnson might have been leading the 5s, but for a BFD, which made the consistent Noah Carden overnight leader, with Iona Willows (HISC) in 2nd and Sophie Stockton in 3rd.

A white-knuckle ride over the bar on the ebb to get home, sapped the last remaining energy from many of the competitors, and recovery was the order of the day on Saturday night.

Racing commenced at 11:00 on Sunday in the face of a windy forecast and we were fully sitting out from the off; perhaps not fully depowered for the first race, but by the time the 2nd race was underway if was beginning to feel like a rerun of Saturday, except this time with sun; all of the sail controls were being wound on to the maximum. By race 3 the bay was in full effect with sensational offwind legs and the Westerly providing shifts off up to 15 degrees, to keep things interesting on the beats.

Ben dominated the RS Aero 9s and the status quo was maintained in the 7s. The only change to the podiums occurred in the RS Aero 5s and 6s when Sammy kept the right side of the line to record 3,2,1 to achieve a 6 point lead over Noah, with Iona retaining 3rd place. In the 6s, Sam and Joe had been the only race winners, until Spike grabbed the last race. Joe had had early issues in the first 2 races and had used great upwind speed to pull through to 3 and 4; but Sam, with 1,1,3 for the day was able to discard his 5th from race 2, to take the win by a point from Joe. Spike consolidated in 3rd with 2,2,1 for the day.

Thanks to Hayling Island SC for a great event! The race team, headed by PRO Adrian Ward set great courses and turned the races around very efficiently. Shore-side, the organisation was spotless; from entry and briefing, to tallies and trolley management and an awesome Freddie Covell disco on the Saturday night!

Thanks to Rooster for their support with the prizes.

PHOTOS thanks to Peter Hickson
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