RS Aero UK Eastern Championship at Thorpe Bay YC supported by Sailing Chandlery & Greene King
by Sam Blaker 10 Jul 17:12 NZST
6-7 July 2024
The growing RS Aero fleet at Thorpe Bay YC hosted the RS Aero UK Eastern Championships over the windy weekend of the 6/7th July. Sailors arrived on Saturday morning with severe winds exceeding 40 knots and torrential rain which meant the club house was a central hub with sailors enjoying the bacon rolls and coffee that was provided by the club's kitchen and bar.#
Howard (race officer) and his race committee made the smart decision to postpone the day's racing and to push forward Sunday's start time with the aim to fit in 6 shorter races with Sunday's forecast looking fantastic.
Although sailing was cancelled for the day sailors returned to the club to watch England's quarter final match with a tasty free meal and drink provided by the event sponsors Greene King. A big thanks goes to all Thorpe Bay YC kitchen and bar staff throughout the weekend for keeping sailors fed and hydrated.
Sailors arrived at the club on Sunday raring to go with the expectation of a big day's sailing with strong winds forecasted. A massive well done and thanks to the race committee for setting up quickly in order to get racing under way as soon as possible. All four classes started together for some exciting handicap racing. Noah Rees got off to a strong start with two bullets in the opening races with Sam Blaker close behind in second and Jonathon Bailey in third. Noah and Sam continued their strong start in the 3rd race until a huge 53mph gust (as recorded by Southend Pier's weather station) came through which caused the front of the fleet to capsize allowing Jonathan to storm through to take the win with Yana Skvortsova in second and Myles Mawditt in third with the Pye brothers not far behind on handicap in their RS Aero 7s. Torrential rain paused play before another two races were fitted in. In both races, honours went the way of Sam Blaker with Jonathon Bailey in second and Joe Blaker in third.
Sam Blaker took the overall win in his RS Aero 6 with Jonathon Bailey finishing a close second and Joe Blaker in third. Everyone agreed that the long day in testing conditions was a great way to prepare for the RS Aero World Championships at Hayling Island 25-30 August.
www.rsaerosailing.org/index.asp?p=event&eid=2736
Thanks to RS Sailing for delivering two RS Aero demo boats which were used by two Thorpe Bay members. They were very pleased and impressed by the performance of the RS Aero. Also thanks to club members David Maynard and Nick Alston for taking some amazing photos out on the water.
Thank you to event sponsors Sailing Chandlery for sponsoring the event with vouchers for all prize winners which they can spend on their wide variety of products including sailing kit as well as a vast range of rope and blocks for sailors to replace or upgrade their RS Aero.
Full photo galleries thanks to NWA Photography and Alleycat Photographer.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | Class | PY | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 2739 | Sam Blaker | Thorpe Bay YC | RS Aero 6 | 1102 | 2 | 2 | ‑5 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 2 | 3929 | Jonathan Bailey | Hunts SC | RS Aero 5 | 1141 | ‑3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| 3 | 2195 | Joe Blaker | Thorpe Bay YC | RS Aero 5 | 1141 | 4 | 5 | ‑9 | 3 | 3 | 15 |
| 4 | 136 | Fergus Pye | Draycote Water SC | RS Aero 7 | 1061 | ‑6 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 19 |
| 5 | 2214 | Yana Skvortsova | Island Barn SC | RS Aero 5 | 1141 | ‑8 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 21 |
| 6 | 1020 | Harrison Pye | Draycote Water SC | RS Aero 7 | 1061 | 7 | ‑9 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 21 |
| 7 | 2058 | Myles Mawditt | Thorpe Bay YC | RS Aero 5 | 1141 | 5 | ‑8 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 22 |
| 8 | 73 | Noah Rees | Torpoint Mosquito SC | RS Aero 7 | 1061 | 1 | 1 | 7 | (DNC) | DNC | 26 |
| 9 | 2739 | David Blaker | Thorpe Bay YC | RS Aero 5 | 1141 | 9 | 6 | (DNC) | 7 | DNC | 39 |
| 10 | 3931 | Helen Bailey | Hunts SC | RS Aero 5 | 1141 | ‑13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 42 |
| 11 | 3666 | Sophie Boygle | Thorpe Bay YC | RS Aero 5 | 1141 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | (DNC) | 42 |
| 12 | 3930 | Phil Bailey | Hunts SC | RS Aero 7 | 1061 | 10 | 12 | 8 | (DNC) | DNC | 47 |
| 13 | 1507 | Alex Farrall | Thorpe Bay YC | RS Aero 9 | 1008 | 11 | 10 | RET | RET | (DNC) | 53 |
| 14= | 1507 | Alex Warrington | Thorpe Bay YC | RS Aero 7 | 1061 | RET | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | 67 |
| 14= | 3303 | Luke Markey | Thorpe Bay YC | RS Aero 5 | 1141 | RET | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | 67 |