Irish RS Aero Southern Championship at Greystones Sailing Club

Irish RS Aero Southern Championship at Greystones © Greystones SC

The RS Aero Irish Southern Championships were run this weekend out of Greystones Sailing Club. This late-season event attracted 11 RS Aero entries, who sailed with the RS200 and RS400 fleet on a windward / leeward course under the watchful eye of Race Officer Michael Conway of Wexford.

With an ever ominous forecast, event organisers moved the start time an hour earlier on the Saturday to get a weather window. Of 10 RS Aeros that launched, only 6 made it to the start line, and only 4 finished the race, with winner Daragh Sheridan the only boat not to capsize. It was a remarkable feat given that it was gusting over 30kns and with strong south going tide of nearly 3knts, the waves were huge and slab faced. At one stage, most of the competitors on the course were capsized. Not surprisingly, racing was abandoned for the rest of the day.

Irish RS Aero Southern Championship at Greystones - photo © Greystones SC

The Sunday was a much better day with winds only gusting in the high 20kns instead of 30kns! The wind swung more to the West for the Sunday, giving competitors an easier seaway but much trickier wind shifts. Again Sheridan (RS Aero 7, Howth YC) showed the way, winning the event with ease over the four races held on day two. Second place was close fought with Andrew 'Hammy' Baker (Strangford Lough) in his RS Aero 7 taking 3rd place, pipped by Roy Van Maanen (Greystones) who took two race wins in his RS Aero 5 to take 2nd place overall. Sarah 'Skinny' Dwyer ((RS Aero 5, Greystones and Royal St. George) was first lady and Rob Howe (RS Aero 7) a new boat owner from Monkstown Bay SC was first Senior.

Commenting, class President Brendan Foley said "Congratulations to all our winners and all who sailed. The event while challenging was an excellent chance for those not in the top medal positions to work on their technique in big breeze and waves, while also having the tactical challenge of such a strong tides across the course. This year was the first full circuit year for the Irish RS Aeros, with an Easterns, Northerns, Southerns and Nationals completed, with over 30 people sailing the RS Aero this year. The top sailors in this friendly class all shared what they found worked and didn't across all the events and the standard now in the fleet is very strong, while offering newcomers a well behaved and exhilarating boat to learn in."

Irish RS Aero Southern Championship at Greystones - photo © Greystones SC

The RS Aero Class will run a number of demonstration days across Ireland to give people a chance to try out this brilliant boat as it spreads across Ireland.

Overall Results: