Bristol Race and Train – RS500 Rooster National Tour Season Opener Recap
Six boats and twelve sailors kicked off the 2025 RS500 season in a super competitive fleet at Bristol’s Race and Train weekend. The five-race series was sailed in 8–12 knots with a wild 90-degree shift range throughout the day. It was definitely a day for keeping your head out of the boat, with big gains, and equally big losses.
In Race 1 Simon and Katie led for the first half, only to slip to 6th after two costly shifts. Ed Whitehead and Ian Mairs read the conditions perfectly to take the win, and kept the momentum going with a strong performance in Race 2, narrowly holding off Paul Cullen and Fresh Abendstern.
Paul and Fresh bounced back in Race 3 with a well-earned win, while Simon and Katie caught a lucky gust at the final leeward gate to plan into second.
It was great to see Emma and Luke McEwen former RS800 National Champions racing in their RS500 at their first ever open meeting. They were quickly up to speed and on the pace.
In Race 4, Paul and Fresh scored another win, with Ed and Ian finishing second, securing the overall regatta victory. Paul and Fresh ended just one point behind in to finish second overall.
After the one-day regatta, the fleet was treated to a training day led by Ian Mairs. Sailors were treated to champagne conditions, with a gusty 16–25 knots. Following some shoreside tuning, teams headed out for on-water drills including upwind and downwind tuning, pace work, and mainsail mapping. The session wrapped up with mark rounding practice starts and some epic downwind three-sail blasting.
Huge thanks to Ian and Arkyy for delivering a fun and valuable day afloat!
Simon Horsfield