CLUBS & CLASSES
RS Aero title goes to final day
The Rooster and Harken supported RS Aero nationals at East Lothian YC had it all: a Scottish heat wave, a full mix of wind and sea states, a beautiful seaside location, Scottish hospitality and intense RS Aero racing taken to the wire.
The wind started fresh and again softened on the final day and in the RS Aero 5s, Will Caiger (Sevenoaks School) did enough with a race win to close out the series ahead of Ned Stattersfield (Wells) and Liina Kolk (Estonia), who was first woman; first youth woman was Lily Barrett in ninth. This fleet had seven race winners and a different leader each day.
The RS Aero 7s saw Peter Barton (Lymington) clinch the title, while Craig Williamson (Staunton Harold) won the final day with a 3,1,1 to take second overall on tie break with Tim Hire (Lymington) third overall and 1st youth. First woman was Ellie Craig (Draycote) in 14th.
The RS Aero 9s had five race winners over eight races, with Liam Willis (Lymington), Greg Bartlett (Starcross) and Ben Charnley (Snettisham Beach) all very close going into the final day. Ultimately the title went to Willis with Bartlett second and Charnley third and top youth.
Ospreys hit by Lethal Weapon
After two years as the reigning Osprey national champions, Terry Curtis and Pete Greig had their title taken by DJ Edwards and Mikey Greig sailing Lethal Weapon. Over 10 grueling races at Mounts Bay, the south-westerly wind built each day as did the swell and by day three the wind was over 20 knots and the larger teams were starting to dominate, with battles going on through the fleet of 41 boats. Day one saw a wardrobe malfunction for Edwards/Greig (Tata Steel/Castle Cove), leading to a dash back to shore for a replacement trapeze harness for Mikey. But consistent performances thereafter got them back in the fight, to claim the title counting four wins and four seconds. Matt Burge and Vyv Townend (Poole/Bough Beech) also had a tricky first day, losing two races to jib sheave failure, but they finished runners up and Curtis/Greig (Castle Cove) finished third overall.
Big breeze masterclass from Cumbley at Solo nationals
A fleet of 70 Solos competed at the Magic Marine nationals at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy; with only one discard from the seven races sailed, the results would reflect consistency over a generally windy regatta.
