Rooster RS Aero World Championship at Yacht Club de Carnac - Day 1

Champagne sailing for 96 RS Aeros as a fresh breeze and glorious sunshine blessed France's Brittany coast.

Sundays practice race saw the first attempt was abandoned on the first lap as the wind died. Marc Jacobi USA and Madhaven Thurmali USA where leading the 9s. Vladimir Ivanovski RUS and Sarah Cockerill GBR 'Rooster' were leading the 7s. New breeze then arrived quickly from the west with vengeance!

The 5s stopped early after one lap, saving themselves for the main event whilst the 7s completed a triangle-sausage enjoying blast reaching and an exciting run.
 Peter Barton GBR led the 7s home followed by Marcus Walther GER and Steve Norbury GBR.

A welcoming Opening Ceremony followed after racing with buffet, speeches, 16 national flag ceremony and prizes.

Rooster RS Aero World Championship day 1 - photo © YCCarnac

The twenty RS Aero 9s looked fantastic, challenged by the fresh breeze. Marc Jacobi USA led all three races, chased hard by Liam 'Lightning' Willis GBR. Chelmarsh's Matt Thursfield GBR holds third place after day one.

"It was awesome out there today. Testing at times but I never once wanted my 7 rig," said a beaming Liam. At only 17 years old he is already the current UK Winter Champion.

The 60 boat RS Aero 7 fleet had a busy startling, the largest RS Aero class start to date. With the breeze over 20kn at times Peter Barton GBR led the first two from start to finish. Steve Cockerill GBR took the third race after two second places earlier. Paul Bartlett GBR secured three top three finishes and Marcus Walther GER finished the day in fourth overall.

"I was trying to work on my fore aft positioning and whether to lift the dagger board up a little upwind," said Steve, who after just two months in the class is already up to speed.

Top Youth is Noah Rees GBR in 14th and top Lady is Liina Kolk EST in 16th.

With good winds forecast all week the RS Aero 5 entry has swelled to thirteen, ensuring good sailing for those smaller sailors who have made a big commitment to travel to Carnac. Andrias Sillaste EST leads with two firsts from race one winner Andrew Frost GBR (top Youth) and Ben Poe GBR in third. Fourth overall in the 5s is Kate Sargent GBR, also first Lady.

Rooster RS Aero World Championship day 1 - photo © YCCarnac

International Social Coordinator (ISC) Ben Rolfe is doing a cracking job herding the fleet after hours with 31 for dinner in Carnac.

Day prizes are awarded thanks to the generous prize haul from Rooster Sailing – helping replace lost visors and worn out gloves from day 1!

It is all on again for day 2 with up to four races, blue skies and a fresh breeze again.

5 Rig after day 1:

7 rig after day 1:

9 rig after day 1: