RS Aero Women’s Championship 2025 by Rebecca Ogden

The much-anticipated 2025 women’s Aero championships were held on the weekend of the 26^th/27^th September at Notts County Sailing Club. Competitors arrived bright and early on the Saturday morning to a nice light breeze and overcast conditions. All fingers were crossed the wind held out as forecasts were somewhat varied for the weekend ahead. Overall, the event saw 29 women take part, on a mix of 5, 6 and 7 rigs.

Saturday saw a day of training from Sammy Issacs-Johnson and Sam Blaker, ably supported by local male aero sailors also trying to get some hints and tips! After running through some rigging tips, the fleet headed on to the water to do some tacking and gybing practise. After a quick stop for lunch, we went straight in to starting practise with three rolling starts in to a beat (a new one on me!).  After some leeward mark mayhem exercises (if you know, you know), the fleet headed back in for a debrief and some (well-earned) cake.

As always, Notts County bought their A game for off the water entertainment, with an evening curry and pig racing. Well done to Paula Kent for taking the crown!

Sunday arrived a bit too soon for several of the sailors (including myself). Foggy, overcast with very light winds, the race team, headed by Race Officer Ross Ryan, were ready and raring to go for the 10.30am start. Only for it to come and go as the wind failed to materialise. Fast forward 45 minutes and the wind began to settle, and the sun even started to make an appearance. After a quick rejig of the racecourse, the fleet were out and racing.

Iona Willows (Hayling Island SC) showed us all how to do it in the 7 fleet, with four wins. Behind her there was some closer racing going on in the challenging “head out of the boat” conditions.  In the first race, Stephanie Gunn (Notts County SC) edged into second place ahead of Sophie Stockton (Claires Court SC) on the finish line, after going round the righthand gate mark instead of the left. Sophie was second in the next two races though, ahead of Catherine Hide (Tynemouth) and Karen Larr (Draycote Water SC) respectively. Karen held her nerve and made good decisions in the almost non-existent wind of race 4 to finish second, overtaking Stephanie who had rounded the first mark first but then tied knots in her mainsheet and went the wrong way. Sophie finished second overall, followed by Stephanie in third (first Master).

Further down the fleet of 8 it was often close with the start crucial and looking for any wind shifts to gain an advantage. All 7 rigs managed to hold off the top end 6 fleet making for clean rounding for all fleets. Of all fleets the 7 attracted the most master, or even grand master sailors which is encouraging for a class looking to encourage participation at any age and gender.

In the 6 fleet, new to the class, Alice Hyde (Carsington) took three race wins and a second to secure victory. Closely followed by Rebecca Ogden (Notts County SC) taking two seconds and a first to count. Kathy Lunn (Leigh and Lowton) secured third overall (first master). With an almost constant right-hand swing, the wind remained consistent into the afternoon, only dropping for the final race.

The 5 fleet was a lot more changeable with Gwyneth Lanyon (Notts County SC), just pipping Ava Francis (Lymington Town SC) to first on countback (both with 5 points after a discard). Anka Staite (Hayling Island) and Carol Fiddaman (Hayling Island) fought it out for third place with Anka (first master) coming out on top. 

Thanks to everyone involved with the weekend, especially the people behind the scenes working hard over the last few months, it was a great weekend. Many thanks to our Class sponsors, Rooster, who supported with a generous spread of awards for the prize giving.

Thanks to Rebecca Ogden and Kathryn Ryan for photos to date.