When West Coast Sailing introduced the RS Aero to the Pacific Northwest, it was pretty clear there was a sea change brewing. That sea change will be official when the RS Aero Worlds takes place on the Columbia River Gorge June 25-July 1.
At the time, I and many other Laser stalwarts were fed up with the acrimony between Laser Performance and the International Laser Class Association. The Laser, while still an Olympic class, had been technically lagging as any 40-something year old design would. Along came the RS Aero, boasting a hull weight of a little over half that of the Laser, carbon spars and a more ergonomic and efficient layout. At the time, I wondered aloud if it would replace the Laser. It hasn’t. They now co-exist. The ILCA won the war with Laser Performance, retained its Olympic status and ILCA regattas are in full swing around the world. But the moment did allow the RS Aero to also establish itself worldwide. Which brings us to this point.
RS Aero fleets have been growing around the world, with plenty of regattas throughout Europe despite the Covid times. The rise of the class hasn’t been as dramatic in the United States. One place it has been dramatic is here in Seattle, where the bulk of the older Laser sailors moved to the Aero early on. West Coast Sailing was eager to help the new class, and managed to get boats into the Northwest quickly while also supplying the necessary support as the fleet established itself.
As one of the founding Aero fleets in North America, and with one of the world’s great sailing venues a three hour drive away, it would make sense that the first World Championship in North America would be on the Columbia River Gorge. This is the 4th Worlds, the other three occurring in France, the U.K. and Australia. Fifty seven boats are entered in the 5, 7 and 9 (sail size categories) representing USA, Australia, China, Ireland, Canada, Great Britain, and Uruguay.
One question remains to be answered. Northwest singlehanded stalwarts Carl Buchan, Dalton Bergan, Dan Falk, Andy Mack, Jay and John Renehan and Stasi Burzycki are all entered, with many other excellent local sailors also strapping in for what promises to be some fast sailing. Will they be fast enough for to take on the Brits, et. al.?
For more information, go to https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/23410#_newsroom.
Ed note. As a strong Laser proponent (and still an owner), it took me a while, but I’m also now an RS Aero owner. My boat has the provisional name Dark Side, because I’m now there as well. I can safely say the RS Aero is challenging and not for the feint of heart.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.