2023 RS Aero World Championship at Hayling Island Sailing Club: A Premier Sailing Event
RS Aero World Championship at Hayling Island Sailing Club – Day 2
26-30 August 2024
Day 2 was filled with glorious sunshine and lighter breezes, providing a refreshing change after the excitement and exertion of the previous day’s stronger winds. The competition, featuring 175 entries, was divided over two courses, allowing for maximum variety in conditions each day.
Racing commenced with about 10 knots of wind, gradually dropping to around 5 knots towards the end. This allowed competitors of all sizes the chance to perform well across the four rig sizes, with three races completed on each course. The shifting conditions brought about significant changes in the ranking throughout the day.
In the RS Aero 5 category, Roscoe Martin (GBR) won two races, taking the lead over UK Class coach Sammy Isaacs-Johnson (GBR), who finished the day in second overall. Ex-RS Aero World Youth Champion Jonathan Bailey (GBR) climbed to third with a score of 7, 1, 2. Notably, the RS Aero 5 Class, with 53 entries, showcased impressive gender parity, achieving an approximate 50% male/female split.
For the RS Aero 6 fleet, RS Aero European Champion Sofiia Naumenko (UKR) managed to recover from a UFD penalty, taking the lead with consistent results of 2, 2, 5. Dan Venables (GBR) had a strong showing, finishing the day first with scores of 1, 6, 1, while past RS Aero 5 World Champion Andrew Frost (GBR) climbed to third with a score of 6, 1, 4.
In the RS Aero 7 Class, Finley Dickinson (GBR) held a slight lead over Arthur Farley (GBR), with Tim Hire (GBR) in third place. The RS Aero 7 fleet was the largest, boasting 65 entries.
The RS Aero 9s took advantage of their larger sail sizes in the lighter breeze. Ben Flower (CAN) excelled in the first two races, but glory for Canada faded in the final race when Peter Barton (GBR) claimed victory. Sweden’s Erik Wahlberg (SWE) had an impressive day as well, finishing with scores of 2, 3, 3 for a strong third overall at the halfway point.
Post-race, competitors gathered for refreshments, thanks to support from Seldon. In the evening, Selden generously provided prizes for the Daily Awards, where leading sailors shared valuable insights and tips on their winning strategies from the day.
The competition for the World titles remains fierce, with a mix of past Worlds medallists, emerging talents, and new competitors joining the RS Aero Class from other sailing classes. Day 3 promises to be another spectacular sunny day with different wind conditions to challenge the sailors representing 18 nations. Stay tuned for more exciting action!
Full results can be found at sailevent.net/noticeboard/12s.
Explore a complete gallery of photos captured by Oli King at www.olikingphotography.com/rsaeroworlds2024.
Thanks to all supporters of the RS Aero World Championships! Rooster is providing prizes and has a tent on-site for gear needs, along with the RS Aero Worlds event shirts. RS Sailing has supplied a large fleet of charter RS Aeros and is responsible for event support, including after-sailing drinks. Selden is backing daily awards and the evening’s after-sailing refreshments, while Harken is also sponsoring the daily awards, and Noble Marine remains a long-time supporter.
Additionally, the RS Aero World Championship is supporting the charity Macmillan Cancer Support through the RS Bike Challenge fundraiser, featuring a raffle for a brand new RS Aero sail kindly provided by RS Sailing. Further details regarding the bike challenge are available at www.rssailing.com/rsaerocyclechallenge.
Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.