RS Aero Palermo International Training Camp and Regatta at Circolo della Vela Sicilia
by RS Aero International Class Association 23 Mar 2022 09:57 PDT
18-20 March 2022
A convoy of 24 RS Aeros on three vehicles left Rome after competing there two weeks earlier for three days training followed by a race day in Mondello, Sicilly.
They arrived off the ferry from Naples early in the morning the day before the event allowing time for the Sardinian Youth Team and some local Sicilian youths to get afloat for a long day on the water training and test sailing before the event started.
International Umpire, Luigi Bertini, led the training sessions with a focus on Rule 18 at the windward mark and Rule 42 on propulsion. Marco Iazzetta used GPS tech for performance analysis in an attempt to gauge differentials whilst Peter Barton was on hand to advise on RS Aero specifics.
Day 1 - Training
With large waves with medium/light breeze we had a focus on the dynamic relationship between body movement, main sheet and steering. Sail settings needed to be powerful but without overdoing it. For upwind hiking we discussed an effective and efficient position and for downwind sailors needed a stance that was agile and comfortable to help turn in waves. On the starts sailors needed to be aware of the critical moment when Plan A had failed and they needed to commit to Plan B.
Luigi got up close on the detail of Rule 18 - 'Who has mark room? Who has right of way? Rights to tack, obligations when tacking...'
Day 2 - Training
Another Interesting training day in Sicily! Again we had very large waves with medium breeze, but this time the wind was coming straight out of the cliffs of Monte Pelligrino (how does that work?!) and the waves were rolling at 90' across the wind direction - great for acceleration but very tempting to surf fast away from your destination!
Day 3 - Race day
Three races as the breeze slowly filled in and the Sicilian sun came out!
Congratulations to all the winners, all the competitors and supporters for a fabulous event, Circolo della Vela Sicilia for being excellent hosts and of course to the organisational mastermind building the Italian RS Aero Class - Guido!
The Tognazzi Rome fleet generously left two of their RS Aeros on loan in Sicily to help grow the local fleet there. We look forward to returning again in greater numbers as the class continues to grow. Mondello has excellent sailing, beaches, mountains and cuisine - everyone should take an opportunity to visit!
A large Italian team is set to travel to the UK this summer for the RS Aero Youth Worlds and RS Aero European Championship at the RS Games and the team have an exciting schedule preparing in the build up to it.
Overall Results: (top three)
RS Aero 5
1st - Chiara Sussarello, LNI Sulcis, Sardinia
2nd - Elias Nonnis, LNI Sulcis, Sardinia
3rd - Alberto Autore, Circolo della Vela Sicilia, Mondello
RS Aero 7
1st - Filippo Vincis, LNI Sulcis, Sardinia
2nd - Giulio Sirolli, Tognazzi Marine Village, Rome
3rd - Lorenzo Matta, LNI Sulcis, Sardinia
See overall results here...