Written by the RS Aero Class Association
All change for day two of the RS Aero World Championship with the more usual westerly breezy kicking in after lunch for three more exciting races. The time with the wind against the strong current there were more waves and a high proportion of time spent downwind after a free ride on the current upwind.
The dilemma of the day was whether to take the port bias line and the left shift of the Oregon shore or the strong current in the deep channel on the right on the Washington side.
Pleases changed on day two in the RS Aero 5 fleet. After some close tussles Dieter Creitz (USA) took the lead with three wins. Seattle club mate Ryan Zehnder (USA) hung on to 2nd with a 3,5,2 whilst the biggest mover and shaker of the day was Yannick Gloster (USA) with a 2,2,3 jumping up to third. Enjoying a better day today was Caroline Young (USA) from Davis Island, Florida who overtook Robyn Ratcliffe (AUS) of George’s River SC, Sydney to be top female.
The RS Aero 7s today belonged to Dalton Bergan (USA) with three race wins showing excellent positioning and downwind skills through the wavy and gusty Gorge. Noah Rees (GBR), Peter Barton (GBR) and Jay Renahan (USA) fill out the next three places each scoring some good counters. Carl Buchan (USA) likely won the 1st mark contest over three races showing excellent judgement with his starts and layline decision making. The biggest mover a shaker was Andrew Holdsworth (USA) from Seattle and Yorkshire Dales who leap frogged loads of boats to land in the top ten with three results in the top 6.
The RS Aero 9s looked sensational today blast reaching on the reaches across the bottom of the course. Seattle’s Dan Falk (USA) held onto 1st overall but today saw two new race winners in Michael Johnson (USA) and the east coast’s Madhavan Thirumalai (USA) taking a win a piece. Madhavan, Michael and Keith Hammer (USA) all share 2nd equal as the competition intensifies for the podium!
Again the day concluded with after sailing drinks and snacks and a fleet debrief with Jay Renehan providing an insight in watching for the gusts downwind and side stepping as necessary to engage them and then stay in them.
Tomorrow the fleet will race one long distance race with a standard beat and run followed by a downwind 5 reach slalom back and forth across the width of the Gorge. The fleet will then continue on a mega run to Home Valley before a goliath upwind home assisted by the region’s great peak’s snowmelt producing the fast flowing Columbia Gorge River current. The finish will be off the CGRA clubhouse HQ in front of the grandstand and applauding crowds with free beer ashore. Wow!
Thanks to all the RS Aero Worlds supporters – West Coast Sailing, RS Sailing, Seattle YC Foundation, Prism Kites, Rooster and Kingfisher Ropes.
