2025 RS Aero European Championships at Circolo Vela Arco - Overall
by Elena Giolai 28 Apr 12:36 BST
24-27 April 2025
The RS Aero European Championships 2025 concluded on Sunday 27 April on Lake Garda, Trentino, organised by Circolo Vela Arco in collaboration with the Italian Sailing Federation and the RS Aero Italian and International Class Associations.
Racing took place across the RS Aero 5, 6, 7, and 9 fleets, distinguished by sail area. Sixteen nations were represented, with Poland making its debut in the class and two helmsmen travelling from Iceland. Almost 120 competitors took part in the event.
The championship offered four splendid days of sailing, further enriched by the warm atmosphere of friendship and sportsmanship that defines the RS Aero class philosophy: sport, sailing, tourism, friendships and social life.
Despite a forced break on Saturday, due to the funeral of Pope Francis, the event concluded successfully: all scheduled races were completed, apart from the RS Aero 5 fleet, which sailed 10 races instead of the planned 11.
The rest day turned into a valuable opportunity for international sailors to discover the Garda Trentino region: some cycled around Lake Garda, others went hiking or sightseeing by car, while many enjoyed convivial barbecues, reinforcing the spirit of community that the RS Aero class promotes beyond competition itself.
From a technical perspective, the wind conditions remained consistently medium to light, providing fair and competitive racing. The first day saw racing with the northerly "Peler", followed by the southerly "Ora" in the subsequent days, with wind strengths never exceeding 14 knots.
Overall Results:
RS Aero 5
Victory went to Great Britain's Sammy Isaacs-Johnson, who finished five points ahead of Estonia's Andreas Sillaste.
Third overall, and first Under 17, was Enrico Loi (LNI Cagliari, Italy). Fifth overall and first Under 22 was Sweden's Theo Eriksson.
In the women's division, success went to Estonia's Jessica Jöesaar (also first U22), followed by Britain's Sophie Stockton and France's Nathalie Jacobs, who was crowned first female Master.
In the Under 17 girls' category, Anna Maddaloni (LNI Cagliari) claimed the European title.
RS Aero 6
One of the largest fleets with 45 entries, the RS Aero 6 saw a very close battle for the title. Victory was claimed by Britain's Andrew Frost, who beat Italy's Filippo Vincis (LNI Sulcis) by just two points.
Third place, with a greater points gap, went to Estonia's Kristo Ounap.
The top Master was Daragh Sheridan (Ireland), finishing eighth overall. The top Under 22 sailor was Leonardo Nonnis(LNI Cagliari, Italy), who finished tenth overall.
In the women's division, the talented Ukrainian sailor Sofiia Naumenko was first woman and fourth overall.
Italy's Alice Sussarello (LNI Sulcis) secured the Youth U22 European title, while the Dutch sailor Joke Krijgsman was the top female Master.
RS Aero 7
Italy's Mattia Di Lorenzo (Fraglia Vela Riva) delivered a remarkable performance, winning both the Overall and the Under 22 European titles - despite being an Under 17 sailor himself.
Second overall, and top Master, was Britain's Peter Barton, President of the RS Aero International Class Association.
Third overall and first Under 22 was Britain's Mark Ripley, with American sailor of Ukrainian origin Madhavan Thirumalai finishing fourth overall (on equal points) and second Master.
During the event, Madhavan Thirumalai, in collaboration with the RS Aero Class Association, launched a fundraising initiative to support humanitarian activities in his war-torn homeland, Ukraine.
RS Aero 9
Victory in the RS Aero 9 fleet, the division with the largest sail area, went to Canadian sailor Baabii'O Flower.
Full satisfaction was expressed by Circolo Vela Arco for the successful management of the event both on and off the water, confirming the club's position as one of the premier international sailing venues on Lake Garda.
The club's racing season will continue on 13 June with the national regatta for the 29er skiff class, while the Optimist, Open Skiff and Waszp teams will soon be competing in national regattas.