Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S-Series LEADERBOARD

RS Aeros at the Steve Nicholson Memorial Trophy

by RS Aero UK Class Association 5 Feb 2016 14:16 UTC 30 January 2016
RS Aeros at the Steve Nicholson Memorial Trophy © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Blue skies and breeze!

From a pre-entry of 15, 11 hardy RS Aeros braved the brisk breeze and icy snow melt Northants waters for the 2016 Steve Nicholson Trophy and Round 6 of the RS Aero UK Winter Series in aid of Asthma UK.

On arrival with blue skies and a gentle breeze, it was easily to be deceived. However, our class meteorologist Richard Watsham was on hand with his magic seaweed explaining how the transient ridge would soon be displaced by a crazed front of compacted isobars, or something like that. Lo and behold, as promised with ten minutes to the start the seaweed's prophecy came true with a sudden increase to about 20kn. The fleet was pleased to be all 7 and 5 rigs with the one exception of local hero Jack Fraser in his 9 rig.

With a westerly gusting at an angle off the shore a trapezium was set but due to the shape of the lake the course was biased towards beating and running without a great deal in the way of planing reaching, where the Aero has proven to excel. Nonetheless, three RS Aeros were delighted to make it into the back of the top ten from the 50 starters and the enjoyment and tightness of racing was fantastic throughout the fleet. There was even a photo finish with Chunky and Peter tied in the 2nd race! RS Aero owner Finlay Barnham and his dad Jasper also took the overall double handed win in their 2000, well done Finlay! We will be watching out for him trying to hoist a kite on this Aero this season.

Emily Davis was awarded a very hard earned and well-deserved 'Perseverance Prize' for finishing both races in the blustery conditions. Well done to Jack too on getting round in good shape in his 9. A thrilled Emily commented:

"The wind picked even more after lunch but I felt I was more settled; despite having a few more capsizes I righted them quickly! On the final lap most people behind me had retired which meant they missed out as the wind had built and shifted round giving a fantastic reach at the bottom of the course, a tricky gybe and then an amazing run. I was sailing by the lee and have never been so fast in my life! The RS Aero took off and was so stable it felt perfect. I was pleased that I didn't come last overall in either of the races; 6 months ago I would have struggled to sail this boat in these conditions, let alone race. A great day, with good company! Thanks again for jumping the car!"

Our Class webmaster, Anthony 'Chunky' York, had been in intense training for his big home event, commenting:

"As a first event sailing against other RS Aero sailors I was very pleased with my position, although I had to work hard having not hiked for a long time!

"I sail the Steve Nicholson Trophy every year without fail and this was one of the most competitive I've sailed in, with multiple World, National and European champions donning the fleets.

"The class has rekindled my interest in the sport and since having the boat I haven't missed a weekend sailing, you never know I might even travel to a few events as well! A fun boat, great fleet and friendly sailors!"

Overall Results: (overall results can be found here)

RS Aero PosSNT OverallRigSail NoHelmClubR1R2Pts
17thRS Aero 71175Peter BartonLymington Town SC69.515.5
28thRS Aero 71676Anthony YorkNorthampton SC79.516.5
39thRS Aero 71208Matt ThursfieldChelmarsh SC13720
415thRS Aero 71298Richard WatshamStarcross YC / RNSA161632
525thRS Aero 91306Jack FraserNorthampton SC292958
627thRS Aero 71302Karl ThorneLymington Town SC263662
734thRS Aero 51301Emily DavisGreat Moor MSC403474
843rdRS Aero 71792Andy HillHayling Island SC38DNC103
944thRS Aero 71340Lewis BowenNorthampton SC42DNC107
1646thRS Aero 71551Nigel RolfeBurghfield SCDNCDNC130
1646thRS Aero 91581Ben RolfeBurghfield SCDNCDNC130
1646thRS Aero 51685Lucy GreenwoodNewHallSchool/Alton WaterDNCDNC130
1646thRS Aero 71509Peter CraggsYork RI SCDNCDNC130
1646thRS Aero 710Gary LivingstoneNorthampton SCDNFDNC130
1646thRS Aero 71141Jonathan RickelsGrafham WSCDNCDNC130

Videos (by Anthony York)

Thanks to Northampton SC and the event sponsors for a great day out with a whole load of money raised for Asthma UK.

Three more events remain in the RS Aero UK Winter Series:

  • Tiger Trophy - Rutland, 6/7 February
  • Roadford Rocket - Devon, 28 February
  • RS Aero UK Spring Championships - Grafham, 19/20 March
Keep in touch with Everything Aero via the Class website at www.rsaerosailing.org and facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/rsaeroclass

Related Articles

European Team Race Youth RS Aero Champs overall
Italy 2 with Alice Sussarello and Filippo Vincis triumph in Cagliari After three splendid days of variable, but mostly sunny weather and wind always between 15 and 20 knots, the third edition of the RS Aero Youth Team Race European Championship ended with an extraordinary victory for Italy 2. Posted on 28 Oct
RS Aero UK Inlands at Draycote Water
a weekend of variety for the 47 helms The RS Aero UK Inlands provided a weekend of variety for the 47 RS Aeros! Saturday saw sunshine and medium/light breezes with 4 races gifting a wonderfully pleasant autumn day's racing. The forecast for Sunday was quite the opposite. Posted on 28 Oct
European Team Race Youth RS Aero Champs day 2
Alice Susarello and Filippo Vincis takes the lead at the conclusion of the round robin An intense second day of the RS Aero European Youth Team Race Championship, held in the picturesque Su Siccu basin (between Luna Rossa's base and the Marina di Bonaria) in Cagliari-Italy, ended today. Posted on 26 Oct
European Team Race Youth RS Aero Champs day 1
37 matches completed out of the 66 scheduled for the round robin The first day of the European RS Aero Youth Team Race Championships in Cagliari opened with 37 matches completed out of the 66 scheduled for the round robin. Posted on 25 Oct
RS Aero Youth Team Race Championships preview
The event starts in Cagliari, Sardinia on Friday Società Canottieri Ichnusa and Lega Navale del Sulcis the FIV clubs organising the continental team event. Posted on 24 Oct
Salcombe RS Aero Open and UK Masters Champs
30kn gusts from a variety of angles alternated with 0kn calms every few seconds The Salcombe RS Aero Open doubled as the RS Aero UK Masters Champs and despite a challenging forecast 7 RS Aero visitors travelled to Salcombe joining the Solos, K1s and the local Yawls to enjoy and be challenged by Salcombe's high sided tidal ria valley. Posted on 4 Oct
Trin Ollinger on the RS Aero US Women's Nationals
David Schmidt checks in with the regatta co-chair Sail-World checked in with Trin Ollinger, who serves as regatta co-chair for the 2024 RS Aero Women's National Championship, via email, to learn more about this high-level women's-only event. Posted on 2 Oct
RS Aero Youth Team Race Europeans preview
It promises to be an unforgettable event in Cagliari, Sardinia Get ready for an international competition filled with youthful camaraderie, late-season sunshine, and the stunning backdrop of Cagliari, Sardinia! Posted on 23 Sep
RS Aero Cycle Challenge day 1
Towing a boat via bicycles 200 miles The RS Team set off from Coningsby, Lincolnshire, this morning, officially marking the start of the RS Aero Cycle Challenge after weeks of build-up. The chilly conditions were nothing compared to the warm send-off. Posted on 12 Sep
RS Marine Group marks 10 years of its RS Aero
Moving manufacturing to the group's in-house facilities in Cowes on the Isle of Wight After 10 years of being built by external manufacturer MTAG Composites, production of RS Marine Group's renowned RS Aero will now take place at the group's facilities in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, alongside its RS21, RS400 and RS500 models. Posted on 5 Sep
Savvy Navvy 2024Maritimo 2023 S600 FOOTER