RS Aero Open at Broadwater Sailiong Club

Sunshine and a good strong breeze provided excellent conditions for the sixteen boats competing in Broadwater's novel pursuit race format RS Aero Open.

The keen local RS Aero fleet fielded 8 RS Aeros whilst another 8 visitors travelled from Bowmoor, Burghfield, Island Barn, Lymington, Hertford, Littleton and Oxford.

Fortified by bacon butties and with the course and lake anomalies all explained, the fleet hit the water for the first of four 40 minute races. The Pursuit was set with the RS Aero 5 start first with the race finishing on the mobile finish line 40 minutes after that first start. Each Class started at 1.5 minute intervals based on RYA PYs, with the four boats choosing RS Aero 6s set off with a 1.5 minute lead on the main fleet of 11 RS Aero 7s. Finally, Peter Barton in his RS Aero 9, started a further 1.5 minutes later. He had the benefit of the start line to himself, but the challenge of working through the fleet ahead.

Broadwater SC RS Aero Open - photo © John Greaves

The testing conditions (gusty, and swinging unpredictably) helped the RS Aero 6s maintain their lead over most of the larger rigs although youngster Joe Jones (Burghfield SC), showed some impressive speed at the front of the RS Aero 7 fleet and won both of the morning races. Local sailor David Cherrill (Broadwater SC) led the 6s and hence secured two second places with Callum Salt (Oxford SC) and Peter Barton (Lymington Town SC) picking up the other podium places.

After an excellent Broadwater SC lunch, the afternoon saw some course changes from race officer, Andy Wheeler, as the open meeting provided part of the lake for the junior sailing group. With boisterous gusts providing some exciting planing, boats were continuing to exercise the safety teams and places changed regularly due to mistakes and of course the dark art of reading the Broadwater SC shifts and perky gusts.

Broadwater SC RS Aero Open - photo © John Greaves

Joe wrapped things up with a second and a third, but was given a much harder time as some of the many Masters competing showed their stamina (or started to wake up?!). Peter powered his way to a strong win in race 3 but couldn't quite repeat his weave up the fleet in the final race as Dave Cherrill stayed just ahead up the last beat to win race 4 and secure second overall. A great result for Broadwater SC, with other local boats battling for the mid-fleet positions.

Competitive racing in a fresh breeze in shorts and T-shirts is just what makes summer sailing a joy, even if you're not winning! Broadwater's friendly atmosphere will certainly draw even more people to this fun event next year.

Broadwater SC RS Aero Open - photo © John Greaves

Thanks to all the Broadwater SC volunteers for a fantastic day's racing and being such welcoming hosts, and to John Greaves for his excellent photos capturing the day's fun on the water. Thanks to Rooster for supporting the prizes!

Next for the UK's RS Aeros is Beaver SC in the North on Saturday 21st or Restronguet in the southwest on 21/22nd June. That is followed by Draycote in the Midlands on Saturday 28th June and a two day weekend at Lancing SC on 5/6th July for some excellent sea sailing, as they host their first RS Aero open.

RS Aero UK Events List

Broadwater RS Aero Open - The Movie!

Overall Results: