Rooster RS Aero World Championship at Yacht Club de Carnac - Day 2

Rooster RS Aero World Championship day 2 © YCCarnac

Rooster RS Aero World Championship day 2 © YCCarnac

A second day of breeze up to 20 knots, but this time slightly more off-shore producing a more manageable sea state and some great sunshine.

In the RS Aero 9s Marc Jacobi USA did not have it all his own way this time after a couple of unscheduled dismounts. British Youth, Liam Willis GBR and Greg Bartlett GBR both took race wins with Greg jumping up onto the podium with a 1,2,3 for the day.

A goliath battle is emerging at the end of day 2 at the front of the RS Aero 7 fleet. Steve Cockerill GBR and Peter Barton GBR both started and finished the day tied on points. Steve took two wins to Peter's one with an incredible display of downwind speed through the waves. Peter was very pleased to win the second race of the day as Steve rounded right on his tail going on to the final run. Steve is a recognized worldwide guru on downwind wave technique in single-handers.

"Steve is the 'Rooster' off wind, and to match him on that final run to still lead at the bottom was a huge step for me. I let the kicker go a little more to open the leech, reduce stability and thus aid my turns. Then I hunted every good wave I could with some big angles at times both by the lee and up turning to a planing reach at times too. I recommend Steve's 'Boat Whisperer' DVD to all RS Aero sailors if you want a chance of hanging with him downwind!" laughed Peter.

Paul Bartlett GBR maintained his third overall with Marcus Walther GER in fourth Noah Rees GBR holds his Top Youth spot in sixteenth and top Lady is Liina Kolk EST in eighteenth but with Juliane Barthel GER now just seven points behind.

Sander Puppart EST blitzed the RS Aero 5 scoreboard leap-frogging to the Gold Medal position after a 3,2,1 to lead by one point from Andrew Frost GBR (top Youth). Andrias Sillaste EST and Kate Sargent GBR (top Lady) are tied for third. Andrew Wilde GBR took a race win in race 5 in his super cool unique dark grey RS Aero.

The RS Aero 5 entry has increased again to seventeen now with good breeze set for the week. The option to choose rig allows sailors to enjoy their day's sailing to the max, increases participation (both starting and finishing) and helps keep the fleet safe too. Several sailors changed before the start of the Championship based on forecast with several more 're-entering' with a smaller rig after a testing first day. Those later rig changers will have a challenge to produce a new series having lost Day 1 but having made a large commitment to travel some big distances to Carnac will still be able to enjoy some great racing to the best of their potential in the conditions.

An International Class Meeting was held after racing producing plans, structure and a whole host of great ideas to take forward with a good number of RS Aero nations represented. This finished in perfect time to flow straight into the Beach Party with Carnac weather indulging us with fine sunshine.

Rooster Day prizes were awarded both before and after racing, catching up from Day 1. No sailor may win more than one day prize during the week and you have to be there to collect in person, otherwise it is awarded down the fleet! Rooster Podium race bibs were handed to the top three in each fleet to wear today, adding more interest on the racecourse.

Day 3 already has 15-18kn on the race course so it looks like the RS Aero World is in for their third fresh and occasionally fruity day.

Keep in touch via the RS Aero Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/rsaeroclass

5 rig after day 2:

7 rig after day 2:

9 rig after day 2: