94 FEATURERYA
Tom Squires
Photo: Richard
Langdon - RYA
It was an enticing prospect for sailors and spectators alike, and
when the 2008 Games were broadcast the appeal was instant.
British fans given even more of a treat when 25-year-old
Bryony Shaw came home with a bronze medal, kickstarting a
successful relationship between class and country.
The RS:X’s staying power is testament to its attraction:
following the success of Beijing the class was picked for the
2012, 2016 and 2020 Olympics.
“Its advantages include being one design to allow fair racing
between sailors to allow the standard of windsurfing to be
the most critical factor and not just who is on the best kit,”
added British Sailing Team windsurfer Matt Barton. “The
RS:X can also be used in winds from three to 30 knots, and
it encompasses many different windsurfing technique and
skills to race efficiently.”
The RS:X is, of course, by no means perfect. Like any class it
has its quirks that have to be learned and overcome by
sailors if they want to be the best in the world.
“The RS:X is a two-headed beast,” explained Tom Squires,
one of the British Sailing Team’s most senior windsurfers. “It
covers all basis but has no real specific condition it performs
well without really pushing the gear hard. When on the RS:X
it’s about giving it a good shove to get the board moving and
rig in an efficient position. I’ve spent several years working
on the same thing to become more and more consistent in
all wind conditions.”
Despite its shortcomings, the RS:X remains Squires’ first
love. “The reason I’ve stuck with the RS:X and love it so
uk
WIND
SURFING
much is its racing. One design equipment has its flaws but at
the end of the day the person who is a better windsurfer
wins. There are some incredible guys across the world that
like us Brits spend almost every day training. To be the best
you can’t buy your way out or have better sponsors, you’ve
got to be the real deal.”
Barton is in agreement. “The RS:X provides the most
competitive windsurfing in all conditions that demands
different skills, fitness and tactics in order to be successful.”
Emma Wilson, a three-time youth world champion who is
now coached by Edgington, added, “Being able to sail an
RS:X in most conditions is definitely a good thing, and having
so many good people in the fleet is always challenging. The
pumping aspects means you also have to be as fit as
possible, but the bottom line is it’s just great fun.”
Adding to Shaw’s Beijing bronze, Dempsey won silvers in the
RS:X in 2012 and 2016.
With the Tokyo 2020 Games just eighteen
months away, and the RS:X recently given
the nod for Paris 2024, there will be plenty
more opportunities for British success in this
most successful of classes.