RS Aero

Seattle RS Aero Sailors Shine in Sardinia

Kurt Hoehne PNW sailors around the world, RS Aero, West Coast Sailing, Women Sailors, Youth Sailing 0 Comment
Seattle RS Aero Sailors Shine in Sardinia

The real stories behind race results are generally way more interesting that the results lines. Take the recently concluded RS Aero Worlds sailed in Sardinia July 26-30.

It would be easy to look at the results and say, “there goes Dan Falk winning another Worlds” and leave it at that. True, but there’s so much more to the story. On the first day, after sailing two solid races and competing at the front during the third race, Falk scored a DNF. It turns out that was a major collision. As he crossed in front of a boat from another class while on a run, Falk’s leech loaded, perhaps in a puff, spinning him into that other boat. A hole in the other boat was the result (Aeros are not exactly bulletproof) and Dan’s day ended.

On the evening of the second day, illness hit. Food poisoning? Other competitors shared the similar illnesses. Regardless, it was a sleepless night as Falk’s body got rid of absolutely everything not tied down in his stomach. The next day he faced a choice between being miserable in his hotel room or being miserable on the water, and he chose the latter. To make matters worst, there were lack of wind delays and the fleet spent seven hours on the water. That’s time spent about 6″ off the water, which is a long day for sailors at 100% health.

Class winners, including Dan Falk on the right.

He faced the final day in a haze. Not even fully aware of the results (he was virtually tied with Madhavan Thirumalai for the lead), he needed to win the final two races to win the regatta. Sailing in a weakened conditioned, but completely relaxed, he did just that.

That win and several other impressive performances cemented the Seattle RS Aero fleet as a powerhouse. Last year the fleet dominated the worlds, winning all three classes (differentiated by sail size) in the Columbia River Gorge Worlds. This year Keith Hammer finished third behind Falk in the “9s,” Jay Renehan was 4th in the large “7s” class, and young Dieter Creitz was second in the new “6s” class.

There was a good mix of conditions, and with air temperature in the 80s and water temperature around 70. Family members not sailing enjoyed the beaches and general aura of Sardinia.

Stepping back from the Seattle story, there are few things worth noting. RS Aero is thriving in Europe. More than 120 sailors showed up for the event. The variety of sail sizes, particularly in the lower ranges, have made the boat accessible to a wide variety of sailors. For instance, one might wonder why there were “5” and “6” classes, but those were two of the largest fleets. That also meant that juniors and smaller women could more easily compete.

Tons of photos and results here.

Seattle Sailors Shine in RS Aero Worlds

Kurt Hoehne Columbia River Gorge, PNW sailors around the world, RS Aero 0 Comment

Soon after the rumblings of a new, better (than the Laser) singlehanded hitting the water, Seattle sailors took notice of the RS Aero. Soon the stalwart Laser sailors were trading in their Lasers for RS Aeros. Let by Todd Willsie, soon virtually the remaining singlehanded sailors made the switch. More important, the burgeoning fleet drew some of the area’s best singlehanded sailors out of the woodwork and attracted new sailors to the sport.

Some of the things the Seattle sailors retained was their experience sailing in (Columbia River) Gorge conditions and an attitude of cooperation to develop faster as a fleet and not just individually.

All of this came to fore in the just-concluded RS Worlds sailed out of Cascade Locks, Oregon, expertly put on by the Columbia Gorge Racing Association.

Photos by Bill Symes

The racing conditions weren’t typical “Gorge” conditions at first. A strong easterly sent the fleet to the shore where more than a couple boats hit rocks staying out of current. After the strong easterly for the practice race, a number of competitors switch down a sail said, leaving only 6 boats in the “9” class, but bolstering the “7” and “5” classes.

At the awards, from left: Paul Gloster (Donor of the Declan Gloster Memorial Trophy), Dan Falk, Dalton Bergan and Dieter Creitz.

The normal 20 knot westerly made its appearance on Monday of the regatta, and it became clear that the fast course upwind was to get to the biggest positive current in the washing machine of wind against current on the Washington shore. And that was pretty much the way the rest of the regatta went, with Thursday and Friday not as breezy but epic Gorge conditions on the penultimate race day Saturday. It was windy enough that even many of the top boats chicken-gybed.

This regatta featured a “long distance” race midway through. While probably not viable at many venues, it was certainly a highlight for many at this year’s Worlds. A standard windward-leeward course was followed by a 6-mile downwind course of reaches, ending in one of the windier spots in the vicinity. The fleet then had the long beat back aided by the current. The day culminated in a post race pub crawl, followed by a layday the following day.

The results board was dominated by Seattle sailors who made the short trip to Oregon, which many had done several times in preparation for the regatta. Dan Falk dominated the “9” fleet. After the two throwouts, his score line was all firsts except for one second. In the “5” fleet, Dieter Creitz had the same score.

The “7” fleet was controlled by Dalton Bergan, who didn’t have to sail the last race to win and might well not have had to sail at all the last day. At less than 170 pounds, he was competitive upwind. Downwind, his speed was uncanny, playing the all-important jibe angles to the best advantage with consistent speed. Results here. Peter Barton’s Race Report here.

Daily debriefs were a staple, which was much appreciated by those in the middle and back of the fleet. Impressive performances were also put in by Jay Renehan, Peter Barton, Keith Hammer, Mike Johnson, Ryan Zehnder and Yannick Gloster. As with the Laser class decades ago, RS Aero techniques promise to improve year by year. As Joe Burcar says, “There’s more to get out of the boat. For me, the training group was great fun and the regatta was the icing on the cake.”

RS Aero Worlds

Kurt Hoehne Dinghy Racing, Racing, RS Aero 0 Comment

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.

RS Aero promo shot
RS Aero promo shot
RS Aero promo shot
Seattle Aeros
Seattle Aeros

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.