RS Aero UK National Championships and International Open at East Lothian YC - Preview

RS Aero UK National Championships & International Open 2019 © East Lothian Yacht Club

Over eighty RS Aeros are now registered for this week's RS Aero UK National Championships & International Open. This is the Class' 5th Nationals and the first visit of the Champs to Scotland. With so many making the trip north to join the Scottish fleet a big week of good racing and sociable fun ashore is in stock.

The early arrivals are already unloaded on the green during an afternoon of clear blue skies, incredibly warm temperatures and a lovely fresh breeze. "It's aye lake thes haur", stated the locals confidently.

The RS Aero 5s are straight off the back of their whopping 40 boat fleet at the UK Youth Champs, with a fleet of 20 in Scotland this week. Jonathan Bailey heads the rankings with a trio of victories already this season in the Spring, Southern and UK Youth Champs. Will Caiger scored some top results at the Youth Champs and is fired up to make a result stick in Scotland. The Young Brits will be pushed hard by Liina Kolk from Estonia, runner up at last year's 60 boat RS Aero 5 Worlds. Sammy I-J remains a consistent performer near the front whilst Class newcomers, David Peaty and Lou Boorman, are ones to watch as they quickly learn the finesse of the RS Aero.

The RS Aero 7s are the largest fleet with nearly 50 boats. Top seeds include Craig Williamson 4th at last year's Worlds and speedy Tim Hire who comes fresh from his win in the UK Youth Champs over the weekend. Noah Rees claimed a dominant win at the 2018 Inland champs, whilst the other top Youths Ned Stattersfield and Roscoe Martin are likely contenders if the wind goes light, with Roscoe looking to go one up on his 2nd place from last year. Peter Barton was 2nd in the 2015 champs and returns this year to the RS Aero 7.

The RS Aero 9s sees a clash of the titans with the 2017 Worlds medallists Liam Willis and Greg Bartlett going head to head for the big boys title. Our UK Youth Co-ordinator Ben Rolfe, will make sure they don't have it all their own way, as will Ben Charnley who is a past race winner.

International visitors represent Germany, Estonia and Holland aided by the large charter fleet supplied in support by RS Sailing. Eleven family teams of partners, parents and siblings will chase the Family Team prize. So far seven Clubs qualify with at least 3 sailors for the Club challenge with large teams from the host club of East Lothian YC, Lymington Town SC and Yorkshire Dales SC all looking strong.

Pre-event coaching is set on the green at 11:00 Wednesday to help bring those sailors who are new to the fleet or more isolated up to speed. The RS Aero Challenge Cup follows in the afternoon - an all RS Aeros PY race to warm up for the championship series proper.

The Championship series runs Thursday-Sunday with 10 races scheduled to decide our new UK Champions. National Judge David Battye will be out on the water keeping a close eye on any misdemeanours to encourage fair racing and to assist in helping educating the fleet with his briefings and debriefs where possible.

Thank you to Rooster, Harken, NB Gin, Edinburgh Orthodontics and Airshed for their event support.

Keep up to date on the daily championship results via the at club website.