RS Aero UK River Championships at Avon Sailing Club, Gloucestershire

RS Aero UK River Championships © Antony Lynall

Light winds and fair weather were the order of the day and we had a total of 23 RS Aero's competing on the River Severn for the fourth RS Aero UK River Championships.

Class racing was held with fourteen sailors opting for the RS Aero 9 rig and nine choosing the RS Aero 7. The 16 visitors came from as far afield as Fowey and were all greeted with teas, coffee and a bacon roll on arrival.

Racing got cleanly under way with the RS Aero 9's in the light Northerly breeze with the windward mark being about a mile up-river. David Lynall from Bowmoor SC got off to a good start and managed to keep in the front for the whole race. Charlie Sansom and Chris Hatton, also from Bowmoor followed into 2nd & 3rd place. Matt Banbrook from Bowmoor finished strongly with a 4th place.

In the RS Aero 7 fleet, it was a similar story, with Ellie Craig from Draycote Water keeping the lead throughout, closely followed by Jacob Miller and Fi Lucas from Avon Sailing Club.

After lunch, the RS Aero 9 fleet were all a little keen to get away but only did so after two general recalls and the black flag. The RS Aero 7 fleet went off first after the 9's were relegated to the back of the start queue and Ellie Craig, Jacob Miller and Fi Lucas all finished in the same 1,2,3 positions.

RS Aero UK River Championships - photo © Antony Lynall

In the 9 fleet, David Lynall again got away but this time was being chased closely by Chris Hatton. Race 2 ended with Lynall in front, Hatton 2nd and Sansom in 3rd.

Race 3 got away cleanly in both fleets but the wind had dropped to very light so Race Officer Peter Keighley set a much shorter course.

This time, Charlie Sansom took the lead in the nine fleet and was closely followed by Al Keck from Bowmoor with Hatton coming in third and Lynall fourth.

In the 7 fleet, this time Jacob Miller got ahead and managed to keep the lead with Craig and Lucas coming in second and third.

Thanks to Rooster for their support in providing a selection of their race gloves for all the winners and to Avon SC for hosting another excellent day out at their lovely location on the River Severn with many of the visitors staying over and camping on site with a barbecue and disco into the early hours!

Overall Results:

RS Aero 9
1. David Lynall - Bowmoor SC
2. Charlie Sansom - Bowmoor SC
3. Chris Hatton - Bowmoor SC
4. Al Keck - Bowmoor SC
5. Matt Banbrook - Bowmoor SC (First Junior)
6. Tony Freer - Bowmoor SC
7. Antony Lynall - Avon SC
8. Phil White - Bowmoor SC
9. Nick Holt - Avon SC
10. Ian Pickard - Bowmoor SC
11. Tony Jukes - Chelmarsh SC
12. Mark Tissiman -Chelmarsh SC
13. Tony Hughes - Avon SC
14. Mark Lambdin - Bradford-on-Avon SC

RS Aero 7
1. Ellie Craig - Draycote Water SC (First Female)
2. Jacob Miller - Avon SC
3. Fi Lucas - Avon SC
4. Lucy Haydon - Bowmoor SC (First Junior)
5. Mike Adams - Avon SC
6. Marcia Lynall - Avon SC
7. Chris Holt - Chelmarsh SC
8. Rosemary Dillworth - Bowmoor SC
9. Elliot Toms - Fowey Gallants SC