RS Aero World Championship at Cascade Locks, Oregon, USA - Day 4
by RS Aero International Class Association 1 Jul 2022 16:29 AEST
26 June - 1 July 2022
Day 4 of the RS Aero Worlds followed the lay day with the fleet returning refreshed ready for more Gorge action. Lay day pursuits included summer skiing/snowboarding, water board sports, trekking, sightseeing, wine tasting and even RS Aero sailing for fun and mid regatta training. Some even took the opportunity to relax tired bodies!
The westerly breeze came in again but this as a time slightly lighter with 12-16kn. Narrow gust lines and some treacherous light patches kept sailors on their toes all day for three more races.
Again the dilemma of the day was whether to take the start line bias, the left shift off the Oregon shore or the strong current in the deep channel on the right on the Washington side. Often the various options all came in very close at the top mark with the differentiator being the finer detail of tagging a good localised shift or lay line precision - good speed always helps too!
In the RS Aero 5s Dieter Creitz (USA) sealed the title on the penultimate day with a 2,1,1 from his Seattle club mate, Ryan Zehnder (USA), who sealed 2nd with a 1,2,4. A tight battle is unfolding for the Bronze however between Yannick Gloster (USA) on 28 points and Catherine Young mounting a big comeback now just four points back on 32.
In the RS Aero 7s Noah Rees (GBR) won the day with a 1,2,2 to move into a solid 2nd overall. Dalton Bergan (USA) scored 3,1,3 which was enough to seal the Gold in the large RS Aero 7 fleet. The win in the last race today went to Peter Barton (GBR) who enters the final day in a close match for the Bronze just a point behind Jay Renehan (USA).
The RS Aero 9s enjoyed great close racing again and three more race wins gave the big rig World title to Seattle's Dan Falk (USA). There is a close battle for the Silver and Bronze unfolding with Michael Johnson (USA) just 1 point up on Keith Hammer (USA) going into the final day's two races tomorrow.
Again the day concluded with after sailing drinks and snacks and a fleet debrief this time led by Peter Barton who attempted to unravel the dark art of RS Aero sail settings and upwind mode changes when necessary for gusts, lulls and a desired pointing angle across the course. The Jury provided an insightful debrief on their observations and a summary of the yellow flags so far to help sailors understand the limitations of where the fine line of RRS42 is drawn, promoting fun and fair racing.
On Friday the fleet will race the last two races and the forecast predicts a strong breeze coming in early. Everyone is set for a big final day to conclude what will be a fantastically memorable championship series.
Thanks to all the RS Aero Worlds supporters - West Coast Sailing, RS Sailing, Seattle YC Foundation, Prism Kites, Rooster and Kingfisher Ropes.
Full results available here.
The 2023 RS Aero World Championships are set for Calasetta in Sardinia from 24-28th July and the fast growing Italian fleet look forward to welcoming the International RS Aero Class to one of their favourite dream venues. For more information click here.