Sail Port Stephens Aeros

Twenty-one RS Aeros travelled to Soldiers Point for the Sail Port Stephens ‘Off The Beach’ series, run by the Bay Sailing Centre. Two on-water training sessions were held on Friday by former RS Aero World Champion Rhett Gowans. The fleet enjoyed an excellent day’s racing on Saturday in bright sunshine and cool westerlies, varying in strength from 8-12 knots, occasionally gusting to 15 knots. With a forecast of 25+ knots for Sunday, the Race Committee wisely decided to run an extra (fourth) race on Saturday on the off chance that racing might be cancelled the following day. No complaints from the sailors who returned to the beach happy with some great racing. Sure enough, Sunday delivered on its forecast with gusts powering across the bay at up to 30 knots by late morning. The Committee kept options open with the fleet kept ashore until 11.30am when the hooter finally signalled that racing was cancelled for the day. From the four races on Saturday the event winner was Gary Ratcliffe’s Rat Race from Rhett Gowans’ Rhett’s Rig and Cameron Shaw’s Single Malt. The George’s River Sailing Club held 6 of the top 10 positions, with Richard Shaw being the best of the Balmoral Sailing Club fleet. Props to the Bay Sailing Centre (run by Newcastle Yacht Club) for some great courses, on-time starts and friendly race organisation. Thanks also to event media Mark Rothfield for having us on the media boat.