Testing of the production-spec RS900, RS Sailing’s contender for selection as the future women’s Olympic skiff class, is underway.

The RS900 has been designed by the RS team of Alex Southon and Nick Peters together with Phil Morrison. It is designed not only with possible selection as a future Olympic class in mind, but also as a design that will stand the test of time and introduce skiff sailing to a new generation.

RS managing director, Martin Wadhams, said: “We began the process several years ago believing that the RS800 could be modified to become the women’s skiff, but quickly realised that although it was arguably the most suited of the then current contenders, it would never be perfect for Olympic women.”

The RS900 hull is shorter, narrower and has lower freeboard to suit light female teams of 110-130kg combined weight. The reduced hull surface area allows a corresponding weight reduction whilst fully integrated wide, solid wings and a smooth run-through deck on the RS900 facilitate athletic sailing. RS900 sailors will use techniques matched to those of the 49er men, allowing shared training in many regions, especially helpful for smaller sailing nations. Build efficiency means that the RS900’s price tag will in line with a competitive 470 rather than the similarly high performance 49er.

Final testing of RS900 will continue over the coming months in the run up to ISAF’s evaluation trials, which are expected to be held in March.