RS100 awarded ISAF Class status

by Martin Wadhams on 5 Dec 2012 Since the RS100’s launch in 2010 it has been the world’s fastest growing performance single handed class. Numbers have built quickly across the globe and in November at the ISAF Annual Conference the RS100 was awarded ISAF Class status.

ISAF status marks a significant step in the development of the 100 Class, with acceptance in many countries heavily influenced by it. Only ISAF classes are allowed to hold world championships and the RS100 Association is now planning their first Worlds, late in the 2013 season, on mainland Europe. Around forty competitors are expected from central Europe, eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, the USA and of course the UK – full details will be announced shortly and posted on the RS100 Class Association website.

From the outset, sailors have been attracted by the RS100s relatively user friendly handling and performance across the wind range. At the end of its first season the 100 won the prestigious 'Sailboat of the Year' award in the USA, 'Dinghy of the Year' in the UK and 'Coup de Coeurs' in France.

The 2013 event calendar includes a series of events across Europe - some on the established open skiff scene and some alongside other successful RS classes, joining in their fantastic social scene. Sweden looks set to become the latest nation to start RS100 racing in 2013, while on the other side of the world the Australian fleet has grown significantly over the last six months.

As if all this were not enough, the RS100 has also become one of the coolest accessories in super-yacht toy cupboards. An increasing number of yachts have shipped RS100s aboard, with the charge led last year by the keen dinghy sailing Dyson family (of vacuum cleaner fame) on their beautiful classic motor yacht. Rumours of an RS100 regatta alongside a super-yacht event are starting to circulate so perhaps it’s only a matter of time… Now that would be glamorous.

You can find full details of the RS100 on the manufacturer’s site and the Class Association site.