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RS Aero Open at Spinnaker Sailing Club

by Jae Jones 26 Oct 2021 05:28 PDT 23 October 2021

Seventeen competitors took up the challenge posed by Spinnaker Sailing Club, just north of Ringwood in Hampshire, to take part in their inaugural RS Aero Open race event run by the club rear commodore (sailing) Tom Clay and his team of club volunteers.

The competitors, from clubs across the south coast from Warsash to Swanage, arrived to find glassy calm conditions on the pretty lake in the New Forest. The wind was forecast to strengthen during the day, so the 10:30 start was delayed until after lunch, with the first race starting at 13:10 as the southerly wind slowly started to build. A mix of all RS Aero rigs were present, the RS Aero 9, 7, 5 and three of the experimental RS Aero 6 rigs took part, all starting together in group handicap racing.

Blashford Lake, where Spinnaker Sailing Club resides, is a typical large ex-gravel pit having two islands in it, where the winds tend to be shifty and gusty. The first race, in light winds, saw the fleet stretched out, as tactical decisions made finding the pressure and taking advantage of the shifts, saw the leaders pull away. Peter Barton, who had sailed at Spinnaker as a student, took line honours and the first race win in his RS Aero 9.

The wind built quickly during the afternoon, and the increased challenges at Spinnaker of both small shifts and gusts, tested multiple aspects of sailing. With the last race taking place in 11kn average wind speed, and gusts recorded at 17kn, the RS Aero sailors experienced tight turns, exciting gybes, and the thrill ride of an RS Aero accelerating onto the plane.

With two 1sts, a 2nd and a 4th, Chris Jones (Sutton Bingham SC) in his RS Aero 7 managed to just pip Peter Barton (Lymington Town SC) to the top step, with James Rushden (Highcliffe SC) in his RS Aero 9 coming a very close 3rd place. Local sailor Jae Jones in his RS Aero 9 managed a creditable 7th overall, against a class opposition. 1st Master was Chris Jones, 1st Lady Iona Willows (Lymimgton Town SC) and 1st Youth was Alexander Mills Bowers (Poole YC). 1st RS Aero 6 was Sue Hunter after a hard fought tie break with Sarah Desjonqueres (both Highcliffe SC).

Many thanks to the Spinnaker SC volunteers for a fun day's racing and to Rooster for their support with the awards spread. The club intends to hold the event again in 2022 and hope that it will become a regular fixture in the calendars of the local RS Aero sailors.

Next up on the RS Aero UK calendar is the End of Seasons at Broadwater SC on Saturday 30th Oct followed by the Bowmoor Bubble on Saturday 27th November.

See the RS Aero UK Events List here...

Overall Results:

PosSail NoNameClubRigPYR1R2R3R4Pts
12550Chris JonesSutton Binham SCRS Aero 710652‑4114
23597Peter BartonLymington Town SCRS Aero 91014122‑35
32836James Rusden Highcliffe SCRS Aero 91014‑31326
43330Iona WillowsLymington Town SCRS Aero 71065‑534411
52875Andrew Bell RS Aero 71065‑975517
62619Simon ToppingPoole YCRS Aero 71065‑1056718
71120Jae JonesSpinnaker SCRS Aero 9101466‑8618
83502Mark LambdinBradford on Avon SCRS Aero 91014489‑1521
93805Alexander Mills BowersPoole YCRS Aero 7106511‑147927
101570Robert HoldwayPoole YCRS Aero 7106512‑1510830
112270Andrew PetterSpinnaker SCRS Aero 71065810‑141230
1268Sue HunterHighcliffe SCRS Aero 61100711‑131331
1367Sarah DesjonqueresHighcliffe SCRS Aero 61100‑189111131
143328Klaus HarrisSwanage SCRS Aero 71065‑1313121035
152883Hilary SparkesChichester YCRS Aero 51136151215‑1842
1669Mark HawkinsHighcliffe SCRS Aero 611001416‑171646
171788Nick SculleyPoole YCRS Aero 71065‑1818161448

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