Naturally we are hugely disappointed that the RS900 has not been selected as the women’s Olympic skiff. It was recommended for selection by ISAF’s Equipment Committee who carried out the most detailed examination of all the entrants and judged it to best fit the criteria – a spectacular boat that would suit the size of sailors specified.

However, in the end the argument around the ISAF Council table focussed on the advantages of an elite skiff (RS900 or MacKay 49erFX) versus the universality offered by the 29erXX through low cost and existing distribution of the 29er hull. This focussed the voting and the MacKay won out due to its advantages of an established common platform with the men’s skiff and the fact it was liked at the trials due to its performance through being the biggest.

We at RS are proud that we met the criteria and developed an ideally suited boat that is a true credit to our own team, the suppliers involved and the RS name.

We will, of course, forever be convinced that the RS900 would have been the best boat for the women’s skiff, able to be sailed by Asian women as well as their western counterparts – affordable enough to build a wider class and develop women’s skiff sailing into a significant part of our sport. So we are genuinely sad tonight that this is not to be.

I would especially like to thank the many international sailors whose encouragement and support for the RS900 has been incredible.

We congratulate MacKay Boats on their successful selection campaign and wish the FX Class well for the future.

www.rssailing.com

New RS International Class Associations and Websites

RS boats are spreading around the world fast and a new structure for each of the Class Associations has just been launched to support this growth and enable RS sailors everywhere to join their International Association.

Any RS sailor can now join their International Association – the cost is low and it gives everyone a say in the future of their Class, plus access to a vast amount of information and some fabulous events! In countries where a National Association already exists, the fee is a little higher and automatically gives membership of both the International and National Associations.   Joining one fleet’s International Assocation gives you reciprocal membership to the other RS Associations.
We believe the launch of our new International Associations is an exciting step for the growth of our classes all around the world.

The International Associations are responsible for major event planning, maintenance of Class Rules, Class communications (including websites) and all other aspects that allow every owner and crew member to enjoy their RS. All this work creates the one-design ethos which ensures RS boats hold their value long term. It is, therefore, crucial that all RS sailors support their International Class Association by joining.

You can access and join each RS International Class Association via www.RSsailing.org – and navigate from there to the National web pages.  These new RS websites are all new and are still being tweaked; we would appreciate your comments.   They are yours so if there is anything you would like to add at any time – news, tips, photos – please let us know.   The new sites have forums – these will be the place to find the answers to your technical questions and chat with fellow fleet sailors.   They will ultimately replace the yahoo groups. The forums are linked from the UK and International websites making us a truly international community.  

Please join up.

Heather Chipperfield
heatherc@rs-association.com

I visited Fraglia vela Riva last week for a meeting about the large multi-fleet event in July.  As usual the club was very welcoming and professional but I was delighted by the environment.  Instead of the building site we saw in 2010, the rebuild of the Spiaggia degli Olivi has been completed and is now an excellent restaurant and lively night spot.  

Spiaggia is separate to the sailing club, but they are working closely together and we hope to have some lovely parties there in July.

I hope loads of you will make the journey to Riva del Garda.  It really is worthwhile!

Full details and entry form at http://www.rssailing.org/champs/cindex.asp?eid=395

Heather Chipperfield

Following the excitment at Highcliffe SC, the RS200s, 700s and 800s meet again for their next Gul Grand Prix at Eastbourne Sovereign SC on 12/13 May.

The starts are 1300hrs on Saturday, 1100hrs on Sunday, with 3 races/day scheduled. Race briefing at 1200hrs.   There will be catering at the club throughout the event and a lively evening at the club on Saturday.   Other details, including local accommodation and directions are at http://uk.rs700.org/index.asp?selection=Events&uid=378&fleet=RS700&detailevent=1   The entry fee is £35 for RS200s and 800s, and £25 for RS700s.

Please note that under the terms of the class rules, either the helm or crew needs to be a member of their RS Association to enter his event, and that the membership year runs from 1 January to 31 December regardless of when you join.    You can become a member on-line at -

RS200 - http://uk.rs200sailing.org/

RS700 - http://uk.rs700.org/

RS800 - http://uk.rs800.org/

or contact membership@rs-association.com for a form.    

As this series is sponsored by Gul, you will also need a Gul sticker on the bows of your hull, both sides. All other stickers should be taken off. There will be stickers available at registration.

Have fun!

Regards,

Heather

Following the excitment at Highcliffe SC, the RS200s, 700s and 800s meet again for their next Gul Grand Prix at Eastbourne Sovereign SC on 12/13 May. The starts are 1300hrs on Saturday, 1100hrs on Sunday, with 3 races/day scheduled. Race briefing at 1200hrs.There will be catering at the club throughout the event and a lively evening at the club on Saturday.   Other details, including local accommodation and directions are at http://uk.rs700.org/index.asp?selection=Events&uid=378&fleet=RS700&detailevent=1The entry fee is £35 for RS200s and 800s, and £25 for RS700s.Please note that under the terms of the class rules, either the helm or crew needs to be a member of their RS Association to enter his event, and that the membership year runs from 1 January to 31 December regardless of when you join.    You can become a member on-line at -RS200 - http://uk.rs200sailing.org/RS700 - http://uk.rs700.org/RS800 - http://uk.rs800.org/or contact membership@rs-association.com for a form.    As this series is sponsored by Gul, you will also need a Gul sticker on the bows of your hull, both sides. All other stickers should be taken off. There will be stickers available at registration.Have fun!Regards,Heather

Situated 2 hours east of Paris on Europe’s largest man-made reservoir the ‘France Open Skiff’  at Lac du Der, mixed Skiff Easter bonanza has gone from strength to strength in recent years to over 50 mixed class Skiff style boats from 8 nations in this year’s edition. This event is the 1st stage of the annual breizhskiff series

Truly International in flavour Lac du Der’s geographical location is perfect being situated within 4 hours drive of just about everywhere! Calais, the west coast of France, Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg Switzerland, Austria and much of Germany are all within easy reach. This event has become the premier International mixed fleet Skiff event in Europe and it is still gathering momentum. ‘France Open Skiff’ at Lac du Der benefits from all the vital ingredients from great racing and friendly International atmosphere to chocolate crepes etc.....!

This year competitors were graced with a full variety of conditions from 4 to 18 knots with the added bonus of 3 days solid spring sun before the stronger wind arrived on Monday.

The RS classes assisted in the funding of the coaching that has become the norm at this event as for many Europeans this represents the first racing of the season after a winter break enforced by their cold home winter climates. Peter Barton and 29er World Champ, Kevin Fischer-Guillou, provided the coaching with the fleet split into two on Friday and Saturday morning prior to racing.

When racing commenced on Saturday afternoon it was clear that the squad of 3 Dutch 49ers were well drilled, dominating the top of the results sheet in the medium breeze after 3 races. One race on Sunday before the fleet returned to shore to bask in the sunshine in a light dying breeze saw the French RS800 team of Laurent Thouvenin & Olivia Coindreau pull a blinder to comfortably lead the 49ers at the first mark. They went on to win with the results at the top of the fleet compressing going into the final day.

Monday belonged to the Moths with 12-18knots and 4 short sharp races fired off in quick succession. Having swapped his coaching whistle for his sailing gloves Peter Barton won the day with Germanys’ Markus Steeg close behind. The 49er of Sander de Kok & Pieler Nijsse from Holland dominated behind the Moths and comfortably took the overall title. 2nd overall went to Swiss Musto Skiff veteran Roger Oswald with Hollands Paul Dijkstra in 3rd, also in a Musto Skiff. The 1st ‘mixed team’ prize went to RS800 sailors David Holenweg & Laureline Chevalley from Switzerland in 10th.

If you own a Skiff type boat and enjoy some competitive mixed fleet racing with International flavour be sure to get this into your calendar for 2013. For the Brits this quite accessible without extra time off work or would make a great week abroad combined with some late season skiing being half way to the Alps. Particularly, the single entries in the RS500 and RS100 classes from Holland and Germany would enjoy the addition of visiting UK fleets.

Many congratulations to Andre, Maikol and Francois for their hard work and success in developing this increasingly popular event. And a thank you to the sponsors for their assistance; Schuco, Wanaboat!, Musto Skiff and RS Sailing.

The next event in the Breizhskiff series is the Teignouse’s Cup at Quiberon, 29 April – 1 May which also includes the French International Moth Championship.

Full results;   http://www.franceopenskiff.fr/en/thank-you-and-see-you-next-year/
Further info; http://www.franceopenskiff.fr/en/the-race/ & http://www.breizhskiff.com/

Lots of details and entry form on Championship site at http://www.rs800.org/champs/cindex.asp?eid=395

Fraglia vela Riva is situated in beautiful and historic Riva Del Garda, in the North West corner of Lake Garda in Northern Italy.    Wonderful sailing, sunshine, pasta and friends!  The town of Riva is particularly attractive and has a wide range of shops, bars and restaurants.   For non-sailing friends, or those extending their trip, there’s lots to do including mountain biking, windsurfing, hill climbing, canyoning, beach activities, canoeing etc.

Garda is well known for being a sailing and windsurfing mecca, largely due to the thermally generated ‘Ora’ wind that kicks in from the south usually around 1200hrs, and builds regularly up to a F4+.    The racing will run from Monday to Friday, both weeks.  The RS100, 700 and 800 Europeans will be from 16 – 20 July, and the RS200 and 400 Eurocup and RS500 Worlds from 23 - 27 July.    

The social side of Garda is part of the charm of the regatta – with the Ora turning up at lunchtime, there’s no need to get to the dinghy park until 10:30, so this helps to encourage later nights. Evening entertainment usually consists of finding a lovely restaurant, then decamping to a bar to discuss the days racing. If you’re on holiday with your partner there are some lovely romantic venues.