2021 RS Aero North American Champs

The 2021 RS Aero North American Championship was held June 4-6 in Bay St Louis, Mississippi. Marc Jacobi, North American Class Manager and 2-time RS Aero World Champion, topped the 25-boat fleet.

On the first day of racing, light northerly winds allowed for two windward-leewards with Jacobi winning both in the 9 rig. The second day of racing provided a variety of conditions, starting at 12 knots and building to 18 knots of breeze out of the south. A few of the racers ended the day with “crowns of shame” from flipping into the muddy bottom of the Bay of St. Louis.

The first race of the second day was won by Jacobi, while the second and fourth races of the day were won by local Ricky Welch, past Laser Radial US National Champion who was racing the RS Aero for the first time. The third race of the day was won by US Aero Class President Hank Saurage. There was no racing on the final day of the regatta due to thunderstorm systems.

The Marco Polo Award, given to the sailor who has travelled the furthest, was awarded to Akira Tanaka who drove from Los Angeles, CA. The top female was Anne Kochendorfer, racing with a 7 rig and finishing 18th overall. The top junior was Chandler Taloney, also with a 7 rig and finishing 6th overall.

“It was very inspiring to see such a variety of competitors sailing,” said Regatta Chair Eugene Schmitt, who finished 4th overall. “We had everyone from champions of multiple classes to junior sailors fresh off the optimist course.”

First place in the 5 rig was Cynthia Griffith, first place in the 7 rig was Ricky Welch, and first place in the 9 rig was Jacobi.

Overall, Saurage placed 3rd with 12 points, Welch placed 2nd place with 9 points, and Jacobi won the RS Aero North Americans with 8 points.

“As my first exposure to the RS Aero fleet, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the speed coming into the gybe mark on the Harry Anderson course, followed by the wipeouts,” noted PRO Clinton Edwards.

Details: https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/21755

Source: Mallory Edwards, Scuttlebutt