Zhik RS Tera Nationals at Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy

Zhik RS Tera nationals at Weymouth © Peter Newton / www.peternewton.zenfolio.com

Ninety-eight entries for the Zhik RS Tera Nationals at Weymouth over the weekend of 1st and 2nd June, and it looked like Summer had finally arrived.

Saturday dawned with clear blue skies, blazing sunshine and a North Easterly breeze, that was going to be a challenge for the race team ably lead by James Gollop.

It was decided that as the forecast was for very little or no wind on Sunday and due to provision with the Sailing Instructions that the race team would run 5 races on Saturday.

As the sailors left the beach and headed for the race area in Portland harbour, it was clear that due to the wind direction, it was going to be a tricky day with the breeze shifting; most of the afternoon saw around ten knots, with gusts up to fifteen and lulls as low as six.

In the 27 entry PRO fleet it was Alex Butler of Hayling Island SC who put down the first marker winning race one, followed by Luke Bailey of Royal Hospital School and Rebecca Lewis of Draycote Water, race two was won by Arthur Brown from Royal Burnham SC setting the scene for his weekend, then Rebecca and Crispin Beaumont of Bartley SC third.

Race three saw Billy Vennis Ozanne of Hayling at his first event, since transitioning from the SPORT rig win, followed by Arthur and Crispin, in race four it was Arthur back at the front, with Josh Bakker of Hayling and then Daniel Lewis of Draycote third.

In the fifth and final race of the day, there was another winner in Alistair Scott of Ripon SC, followed across the line by Arthur, then Rebecca.

In the 72 entry SPORT fleet it was Jack Lewis of Draycote Water who set off in winnings ways for race one, followed by Hannah Tucker of Burnham SC and Hamish Beaumont of Bartley, race two saw Hannah win, with Henry Rastrick of Ripon second and Jack third.

Race three saw another Ripon sailor, Maddie Wylie take the win, followed by Hannah and then Tom Storey also of Ripon third, race four saw another race winner in Henry Jameson of Hayling, followed by Henry Rastrick and Charlotte Ormerod of Oxford SC third.

The final race of the day was won by William Orringe of Hayling, followed across the line by Tom Goacher of Lymington Town SC and Ben Poe of Sutton Bingham.

With five different race winners and sailors scoring up and down the fleet during the day it was clear this was not going to be an easy ride for the eventual winner.

What was remarkable about this day of racing is that everyone took part in at least one race, 91 sailors completed all five and all of them came ashore buzzing from a great but challenging day on the water.

After dinner, skateboarding, rugby, football, catching up with old friends and making new ones it was time for an early night, there were three more races to go.

Sunday was a beautiful day, but not great for sailors, the wind was in the North East and very light at the start of racing, the PRO fleet got away and managed to complete race six, won by Arthur who was followed home by Niamh Davies of Burnham SC and Luke.

The SPORT had a couple of false starts, then the wind started to fade and shift, the race team decided very wisely to bring the whole fleet ashore and wait for the wind to fill in and settle, not ten minutes after hitting the beach a gentle sea breeze from the West started to emerge, once this reached about six knots the fleet launched to try and complete the series.

The race team really had a battle on their hands coping with forty degree shifts and variable wind strengths, however they managed to get race seven for the PRO's and Race six for the SPORTS underway.

In a very gentle breeze the PROs were lead home by Daniel Lewis for his first win of the weekend, then Crispin, back in the front and Arthur, who by now had secured the Championship, In the SPORTS it was Jack back to winning ways, Freddie Peters of Hayling and Henry Rastick.

Race eight in the PRO's was won by Crispin, securing him fourth Overall, Billy in second to secure second and Arthur, race seven in the SPORTS saw Jack win and take the Championship, Charlotte second, securing third overall and Hamish in third.

Unfortunately due to the dying breeze and warning signal cut off time, it was not possible to start race eight in the SPORT fleet.

Other winners were Rupert Jameson of Hayling securing the Selden under 10 trophy and Draycote Water Sailing Club the team prize.

The RS Tera Class Association would like to thank Jim and the race team, Alan who managed the safety team, Chris and the staff of WPNSA and Charlie who ran the Jury, this really is a World Class venue.

Without event sponsors Zhik and Selden, we would not be fortunate enough to be able to hold such great events, so thank you for your continued and ongoing support.

Next stop for the RS Tera fleet is the RS Tera World Championships at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, 28th July to 2nd August, come and join the fun, enter on-line at www.rsteraworlds.com, 104 sailors already have.

Overall Results:

Pro Fleet

Sport Fleet