RS Aero UK National Championship & International Open at the WPNSA - Overall

A fantastic entry of over 104 RS Aeros contested the RS Aero UK National Championship & International Open at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy for four days 28-31 August. International visitors travelled from the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Australia, together with a strong contingent of seven RS Aeros from the Isle of Man.

Over the four days the breeze blew hard and Portland Harbour provided the perfect race area for excellent high wind racing with most of the racing held in winds of over 20kn and gusts occasionally exceeding 30kn. A full schedule was achieved leaving sailors weary but elated, recounting many a stories of wild reaches and exciting downwind runs.

First Female Master Aero 5, Rachael Jenkins - RS Aero UK National Championship & International Open at the WPNSA - photo © Phil Jackson / Digital Sailing

The largest class this year was the RS Aero 5s with 54 competitors and achieving gender parity with 50% male/female. Joseph Jones (Burghfield) scored a string of four firsts on day 2 to pull out a healthy lead which he defended to the finish.

Reigning champ Andrew Frost (Sutton Bingham) kept it close to take second by just three points. Teddy Dunn (Isle of Man) took third and Tom Wharmby (Lym Town) fourth.

First Overall Aero 5, Joseph Jones - RS Aero UK National Championship & International Open at the WPNSA - photo © Phil Jackson / Digital Sailing

The RS Aero 5 fleet always supports a wealth of categories and diversity. First Female Junior (U17) was Lettie Hyett (Manx S&CC, IOM) and first Male Junior (U17) was Henry Marks (Castle Cove). First Female Youth and first Female overall was Abby Hire (Lym Town/RLym). First Male Youth was Joe Jones.

First Female Master (O45) was Rachael Jenkins (Bowmoor), first Female Grand Master Charlotte Hitchmough (Bowmoor) and first Female Great Grand Master, completing an impressive five races, was Izzy Langman (Exe).

First Female Aero 5, Abby Hire - RS Aero UK National Championship & International Open at the WPNSA - photo © Phil Jackson / Digital Sailing

RS Aero 6s were looking great in the strong breezes. Jon Emmett (Castle Cove) won five of the eleven races to take the title. Joe Scurrah (Notts County) mounted a strong series for second. Jack Miller (Felpham) found his mojo to comeback with three race wins on the final day for third, with Sam Blacker in fourth.

First Youth (U22) was Archie Munro-Price (Castle Cove) and first Master (O55) was David Stockton (Wimbleball)

First Overall Aero 6, Jon Emmett - RS Aero UK National Championship & International Open at the WPNSA - photo © Phil Jackson / Digital Sailing

The RS Aero 7s loved the brisk conditions, wild reaches and technical runs. Tim Hire (Lym Town/RLym) showed incredible upwind pace to dominate by nailing seven wins to his score card. Peter Barton (Lym Town) took a clear second, counting 1s and 2s. Mark Ripley (Paignton) took third and Top Youth (U22) with Noah Rees fourth after a close final day tussle. Robbie Lawson (East Lothian) took Top Master (O55).

The RS Aeros 9s enjoyed exciting close racing in the L/XL fleet, showing off the RS Aero 9 in the fresh breeze. Ben Flower (Paignton) edged out Rory Cohen (South Cerney) to take the title with Rory a solid second.

First Overall Aero 7, Tim Hire - RS Aero UK National Championship & International Open at the WPNSA - photo © Phil Jackson / Digital Sailing

Tim and Abby Hire won Top Family award and the Top Club was Lymington Town SC (top three sailors).

The RS Aeros proved their ease of use and robustness over the four days and eleven windy races. Many sailors with in the 104 overall achieved their personal goals of launching, starting races and finishing races. A motto that could be heard chanted across the breeze towards the back of the fleets was 'just one more mark...', until the finish lines finally were crossed!

The RS Aero Class UK AGM was a huge success with a record turnout of 75 (maybe due to the Daily Awards and Top-Tips first!). All roles on the new committee were filled. A huge thank you to the outgoing committee members!

Second Overall Aero 7, Pete Barton - RS Aero UK National Championship & International Open at the WPNSA - photo © Phil Jackson / Digital Sailing

BBQ night was held indoors due to the gales (!) which provided a nice social together in WPNSA's Spinnakers Bar and an opportunity to award Steve Norbury (Warsash) the Winter Champs trophy from Oxford in February. On the Friday night the RS Aero Class booked out an entire Indian restaurant in Portland which provided a lovely occasion before retiring to The Cove Inn.

Thanks to WPNSA and their team of volunteers for a great event Bob 'Arky' Wainwright for excellent racing and a full series. RS Sailing provided event support / charter fleet and Rooster for their support of the awards.

RS Aero UK National Championship & International Open at the WPNSA - photo © Phil Jackson / Digital Sailing

RS Aero 9 Results:

RS Aero 7 Results:

RS Aero 6 Results:

RS Aero 5 Results: