New class interest leads to RS Aero North Americans

(July 24, 2015) – The first ever RS Aero North American Championship will take place this weekend in the breathtaking Cascade Locks, Oregon, just 45 minutes East of Portland. The RS Aero, first launched in March 2014 in the UK, has all but exploded onto the singlehanded dinghy sailing scene. There are now over 600 RS Aeros sailing worldwide in 39 countries, and build slots are booked up at RS right through September.

In just nine months since the first RS Aero arrived in the States, the first RS Aero North American Championship is set to achieve over 20 entries with sailors expected from all corners of the U.S. Three boats are making the long drive north from Santa Barbara, California, with another journeying from San Francisco Bay. One competitor is flying in from Florida and two more all the way from Hawaii. The mountain venue of Park Lake City, Utah, is also fielding a competitor, together with a good splash of ‘local’ Portland and Seattle boats.

The Santa Barbara fleet could be ones to watch having enjoyed more sailing hours after receiving their boats in January in the warmer southern climate. However, Pacific Northwest sailor Michael O’Brien dominated the Seattle fleet’s POD regatta in May and Eric Aker won the first Boston fleet event. In such a new class, with sailors coming together from such a large area, it remains near impossible to conclude any meaningful guide, providing much anticipation as the fleet revs up to the first start line.

Peter Barton, the International Class Association Manager, from the UK is coming to run the ‘Lift‐Off’ coaching day today (Friday), before he competes over the weekend. “Having followed the recent Moth and Tasar World Champs at the Gorge I have been really keen to race here and I am very excited to now have the opportunity with the RS Aero Class,” said Peter.

Today, opening day will conclude with the RS Aero GPS Speed Challenge. Each sailor will have 10 minutes to post their fastest time on the Velocitek SpeedPuck reaching across the river.

The main championship will take place on Saturday and Sunday, July 25th and 26th, with all 3 RS Aero rigs scheduled to start together. This could provide some interesting results with the likelihood of good breeze. Short course racing will be held with plenty of downwind angles for sailors to make the most of the fantastic wind and waves at the Gorge.

West Coast Sailing, RS Sailing’s western U.S. distributor in Portland, OR, has been instrumental in the making of this event and the growth of several U.S. Aero fleets. By end July there will be 90 RS Aeros in the States with nearly 50 on the West Coast. The excitement of the West Coast Sailing team has recruited sailors from newly formed Aero fleets throughout the country to this regatta.

The RS Aero Class has grown phenomenally since it’s launch in 2014 with regional, national and now international events scheduled for 2015 and beyond. Each major event in 2015 is preceded with coaching days.

Renowned for its fresh water, reliable breeze and unbelievable scenery, Cascade Locks has been a source of inspiration for Columbia Gorge Racing Association (CGRA), who have gone from strength to strength promoting small boat sailing events in the Gorge since 1996. Sailors can expect a professional, well run North American championship.

Class website – Event details – Facebook

Source: RS Aero Class Association