24 RS Aero sailors entered the Christmas edition of the Lymington sprint racing on the river at the top of the tide. With strong winds whipping across the river the fleet divided into RS Aero 5s and RS Aero 7s with the RS Aero 7s split into two equal fleets for a qualifier and then a finals series.
The Rule 42 was relaxed for the off wind legs ensuring no one was going to get cold although there was little chance of that with the mild temperature and pulsating breeze whistling across the river to keep everyone on their toes to stay upright whilst racing around 4 minute laps!.
The two RS Aero 7 qualifiers had 4 races each and it was Luke McEwen and Greg Bartlett dominating their respective fleets.
Race wins in the RS Aero 5s were split between Geoff Havers and Sarah Richards with Geoff ultimately taking the title.
The scorer quickly got to work after the 4th race to pull out the top seven RS Aero 7s for the Gold Fleet final series with the rest to race Silver Feet.
Chris Jones then rose to the occasion to win the first final race, just beating Class Chairman Nigel Rolfe by a boat length. The lead contenders had all been blown flat simultaneously on the first reach! The second final race saw Chris back in the lead before Luke and Greg got back on to it, with Luke narrowly pipping Greg for both the race and overall win.
Hot toddies and mince pies preceded a wonderful Christmas lunch in Lymington Town SC. After a short late afternoon rest the fleet reconvened for Karlos’ annual smugglers tour of the Lymington cobbles and a curry. What a day!
Results
RS Aero 7
- 1st – Luke McEwen, Royal Lymington YC
- 2nd – Greg Bartlett, Starcross YC
- 3rd= – Chris Jones, Sutton Bingham SC & Nev Herbert, Royal Lymington YC
- 1st Silver fleet – Tom Ehler, Lymington Town SC
RS Aero 5
- 1st – Geoff Havers, Lymington Town SC
- 2nd – Sarah Richards, Royal Lymington YC
- 3rd – Emma McEwen, Royal Lymington YC
Best Christmas jumper – Joe Gallivan, Lymington Town SC