RS Aeros UK Series – 44 RS Aeros enjoy round two at Lymington!

by Karl Thorne and Peter Barton on 20 Jun 2015 RS Aeros UK Series – A new record of 44 RS Aeros pitched up full of anticipation, with the Western Solent producing a wonderful variety of conditions over the weekend. Time in the boat, prudent rig choice and tidal skills were some of the keys to success in the Aero fleet at round two of the UK Series hosted by Lymington Town Sailing Club over the weekend of 13/14 June.

The forecast for the weekend was shaping up to be a mixed bag, big winds due on Saturday with a challenging western Solent chop and a dying breeze on the Sunday requiring good shift and breeze spotting. Some rig choices were to be made to optimise their regatta and build a series. With some justifiable knee quaking in the dinghy park on Saturday morning, many sailors opted to downsize and the five fleet swelled with a few more adults than normal with sailors up to about 70kg opting for it.

Race one was a mass start for all rig sizes, which turned out to be great fun and proved what a lot us had long suspected, if you have the optimum rig up for your size in a real blow there probably wasn¹t going to be much in it round the course between all the boats. This proved to be the case with David Ellis (Lymington Town) staying towards the front of the fleet in his five rig and coming out second overall on handicap. Peter Barton (Lymington Town) led the sevens and the race to take the PY win. A misreading of the SIs and some herd like instinct caused all of the other fives to sail one lap too few and be scored DNF, not a great start to the weekend!

Races two, three and four were back to single fleet starts. The fives were dominated by David Ellis and Karl Thorne (Royal Lymington) trading first places over the day. David was predictably very quick offwind, as were some of the lighter youngsters in the fleet, especially Matthew Caiger (Sevenoaks) who was a very creditable second in race two demonstrating great skills in the tough conditions in Aero 1562 that had just been delivered to Lym, definitely one to watch out for. Karl being probably the heaviest in the fleet had good upwind pace, being able to power-up and drive through the chop, a distinct advantage when the tide turned and the beat effectively doubled in duration. Former Radial sailor Phillip Gwyther (Lymington Town) came into his own with two third places in races three and four, borrowing his daughter's five rig. Full respect goes to Hugo Robathan(Oxford) aged 11 and 40kg and Ben Poe (Sutton Bingham) and Archie Hainsworth (Alton) both in the 50kg range for toughing out the conditions.

In the sevens Peter Barton led the fleet enjoying some close racing with RS Aero designer, Jo Richards (Gurnard), with Giovanni Belgrano (Gurnard) and Peter Townend (Chelmarsh) not far back. The western Solent chop was at its largest providing a really challenging sail but with the huge reward of a fantastic sleigh ride on the long downwind.

A hardy bunch braved the nine rig on Saturday and made it around in good shape. Everyone got near the front at some stage with Richard Watsham (Starcross) coming out on top in the end.

Ashore a weary but excited bunch of sailors traded their tales of the big day out in Lymington whilst fuelled by two kegs of sponsors Vibrant Forest beer, BBQ and live music supported by IT Computers. At the interim prize giving top performers were awarded ‘Where’s Harken?’ bobble hats. These can’t be bought, they can only be won!

Sunday saw much calmer conditions, we started off fully hiking upwind but by the end of the second race we were drifting and the smart decision was made to call it a day with six races already completed.

The first race of the day (race five) was again a mass start affair, this time the fives had a tougher time of it with the sevens and nines enjoying their extra power.

David Ellis once again prevailed to bank a win the fives with Matt Thursfield (Chelmarsh) in a nine and Peter Baton in a seven tussling for line honours, Peter taking the PY win.

For the second race on Sunday (race six) it became light. David Ellis won the fives again, with Karl second to secure a second overall and Louise Johnson (Lymington Town) third which gave her first Lady and fourth overall behind Matthew Caiger in third and first Youth. Peter Barton narrowly led the sevens with RS Aero newbies Nigel Wakefield (St Denys) and Alex Hayman (Royal Lymington) revelling in the lighter conditions. Matt again led the nines, this time ahead of Tom Kennedy (Thorney Island).

Overall Peter won the sevens with Jo second and Alex and Nigel coming through to third and fourth with good results in the lighter breeze.

Richard Watsham nailed the nines overall from Aussie Aero Ashes champion, David Rickard (Gurnard), and Tome Kennedy.

A fantastic array of prizes was supplied by Harken, Magic Marine, RS Sailing and Wildwind.

Many thanks must go to the Lymington Town SC and its army of volunteers for a great weekend, and also to the host of generous sponsors including Harken UK, Vibrant Forest Brewery, Magic Marine, RS Sailing, Wildwind and IT Computers.

Roll on the Nationals in Weymouth over the August Bank Holiday weekend! Here.

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