The Thrill of Sailing Underscored At The 2026 RS Aero Spring Championship

The RS Aero Spring Championship 2026 hosted by the Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club was nothing short of a wind-kissed symphony of sails. Thanks to a near-perfect prediction of an 8-knot westerly, billed to escalate to 12, the racing day promised excitement. The club could unfurl all it’s got—comprehensive use of the east/width spanning a full kilometre. Participants didn’t let the fatigue from the previous week’s National Champs get the better of them. From last year’s 21 entries, the competition went solid with 15 entries—more to strive for in the coming years. The rectangular course with its four movable marks churned up a thrilling contest with an interconnecting reaching legs. With a clear division between the Aeros 5 and 6 from Aeros 7 and 9 based on starting times, it allowed for an orderly completion leading to a commendable finish. Traveling from places as far as Lymington and Itchenor, the participants gave life to the event. Interestingly, Sammi Isaacs-Johnson, from Claires Court School had an edge-of-seat showdown with Richard Bullock from Itchenor with Isaacs-Johnson edging the victory. The thrilling contests carried on with Tom Hire from Lymington and Andrew Barnett from Island Barn rarely separated by more than two boat lengths! The Championship was equally inclusive, encouraging youth sailors like Fergus Anderson (Thorpe Bay). The RS Aero Spring Championship 2026 was a testament to the thrill of sailing and the spirit of fair competition that characterises the sport.