The now annual RS Super Series ran over the winter of 2023/2024, with racing open to the Waszp, RS Neo and RS Aero classes.
Unfortunately, the winds were never quite right for the Waszps, either too windy or not enough wind, so we never saw them out on the race courses for this series. Racing on the last day was held in particularly spicy conditions of 25kts+ last Saturday morning, while most other sailing and racing for that day was postponed or cancelled.
The Super Series format is designed to keep racing simple with a basic format that ensures quality racing with the minimum hassle and extras, like what club racing was in the past, keeping enjoyment levels up for as minimum a fee as possible. Racing is sprint-style races of 15-20 minutes in duration, allowing for up to 5 races a day starting at 945 am and then off the water by 12! This style of racing is perfect for keeping starting and racing skills alive for all sailors over the winter months.
The RS Neos joined the series this year; the Neo is essentially a cross between an Aero and RS Zest training boat. It is an ideal boat to bridge the gap between a training dinghy such as the Zest and a thoroughbred racer like the Aero. The Neo has a rotomolded hull and aluminium foils to give durability, yet it combines this with the carbon fibre rig of an Aero 6, allowing developing sailors to really see the effect of the primary sail controls and how they can affect the tuning of a modern single-handed sail.
In the fleet of 10 Aeros were a mix of 6 and 7-size rigs
In the fleet of 10 Aeros were a mix of 6 and 7-size rigs with the 6 rigs proving to be more and more popular amongst male and female sailors alike due to similar performance to the 7 in lighter winds but less hiking required in the heavy winds, in fact on the last race which was sailed in 25kts plus, Noel Butler sailing a 6 rig was first to the windward mark ahead of Thomas Chaix and Kenny Rumball who were both sailing with the larger 7 rigs but who were having to work much harder to keep the boat powering upwind.
Dedicated RS Aero sailors included head coach of the National Yacht Club Thomas Chaix, who bought his Aero during the series after a few test sails, which led him to commit to a boat due to the simplicity of sail, speed and ergonomics of the boat.
Thomas Chaix was victorious in the oldest boat of the fleet, proving the durability and robustness of the build and design of the Aero. Thomas had an almost perfect scoreline with his 7 rig despite only formally joining the fleet this winter. Noel Butler came in second sailing a 6 rig just ahead of Sarah Dwyer who was also sailing a 6 rig. Full results available below and here
The Aeros have a busy season ahead. The next series, the DBSC series, will kick off soon. The first regional event will be the nationals in Howth Yacht Club on June 15th and 16th.
Thomas Chaix was the RS Aero winner in the INSS RS Super Series and was presented with his prize by Muriel Rumball
RS Sailor Noel Butler
RS Sailor Stephen Oram
RS Sailor Damien Dion
