News

10:48 Friday 14 Aug 2015 Sue Pelling/CWLBig numbers turn out for RS Elite class 10th anniversary

Photo – Rick Tomlinson/CWL

The RS Elite class is celebrating its 10th anniversary and to mark the occasion, the fleet has produced 19 boats, which is the largest number of entries ever seen at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.

Over the first four days, the class hosted its southern area championship and, with all races to count, competition was extremely hot. The overall winner of was Ossie Stewart – Soling Olympic bronze medallist who was sailing with his sons Cameron and Tom on More T Vicar.

Racing continues to be intense for the overall week-long series with just a few points separating the top three boats. The high level of competition, which includes a total of two Olympic medalists – Stewart, and Mike McIntyre (Star Gold) – and a host of former championship winners, is exceptionally high, which is what seems to be attracting newcomers to the fleet here at Cowes Week.

McIntyre, who is currently lying third in class, says the competition is intense which is one of the reasons he sails the boat.

“Because I live near Haying Island SC, the Elite was the obvious choice for me to enjoy good, competitive racing. There is a really strong fleet established there now with 14 boats racing regularly. We particularly enjoy the Sundowner Series which runs throughout the summer every Thursday.

“More than anything though, I am really impressed with the boat mainly because it is exceptionally easy to manage, hence a great boat for all the family to sail. There is no hiking involved and it has an easy rig set up for powering up or down. And because it is a really quick boat it is exciting too.”

Martin Wadhams, chairman of RS Sailing who is also competing this week, with his wife Amanda, says Cowes Week provides something different that RS Elite sailors love.

“Other major events on the RS Elite calendar feature windward/leeward racing, so Cowes offers something completely different. It tests other skills and always provides some immense and memorable blasts. We call it ‘off-road racing’. It’s great to do something different on the water and then be part of the legendary Cowes atmosphere back on shore.

“We’d also like to think that Cowes Week is made as easy, fun and cost effective as possible in an Elite. The boats live on moorings, you only need a team of three and the class association organises a social programme that you can just say ‘yes’ to, then someone else makes all the bookings!”  

As the RS Elite series comes to a close today, recently-crowned national champion and 2014 Cowes Week winner – Jono Brown – on Aeolus is hoping to retain his overall lead. He and his team have a two-point advantage over Stewart and crew on More T Vicar, while McIntyre on Foudafafa is in third.