RS Tera Worlds 2016 - A week to remember!

RS Tera Worlds 2016 © RS Tera Class

RS Tera Worlds 2016 © RS Tera Class

"I feel I have just been given the biggest embrace by a town and it's people. It's been an utterly unforgettable experience. Seven days packed to the brim with fun, friendship and laughter."

That town is Santona, a small Spanish town near Santander, the host of the 2016 RS Tera World Championships. The backdrop was stunning - Santona sits at the mouth of the river to the sea with mountains that drop down to the crystal clear sea. The weather was varied but this made the sunny days even better.

A huge marquee on the waterfront formed the epicentre for the event hosting the race office, changing facilities, briefing zone, bar and Ben's RS Sailing workshop.

The 2016 Worlds saw 72 children and their families attend, with 5 days of fantastic racing set by the race committee. The event kicked off with a practice day, with extremely light airs before starting the week of racing with better breeze.

3 races were planned each day, although tricky to manage in light, shifty conditions but the race team pulled it off. Strong tides and light winds made it difficult for all competitors but they showed they were made of stern stuff, remaining on the water for several hours and some tight racing ensued.

In the Pro Fleet Jack Lewis (GBR) won the first race with ease from team mates Roscoe Martin and Ben Batchelor, also taking the second from Albert Gelpi (ESP) and Matt Taylor (GBR). Race 3 saw a change at the top with Roscoe, Matt and Arnaud in the top 3 positions.

Sport fleet saw Arnau Gelpi (ESP) showing his talent leading Ewan Wilson (GBR) and Kate Wharmby (GBR) for race 1, race 2 was won by Robbie Mcdonald from Fergus Pye (GBR) and Ralph Nevile (GBR) and race 3 Ewan Wilson took the top place followed by Jake Thompson (GBR) and Dylan McPherson in third.

The conditions were set for the rest of the week with the wind occasionally reaching 15knots on one side of the course, the sun continued to shine. Jack Lewis tore through day 2 with three firsts, Roscoe, Ben and Josh Davies (GBR) taking seconds and Martin Lopez Lozada (ESP), Charlie Bacon (GBR) and Roscoe thirds respectively.

RS Tera Worlds 2016 - photo © RS Tera Class

In the Sports Robbie McDonald was king for the first two races, keeping Fergus and Arnau back in race one and Ewan and Dylan in race 2. Race 3 brought Blake Tudor (GBR) to the front of the pack with Ewan and Phoebe Peters (GBR) 2 and 3.

Wednesday saw the tables turn a little in the Pros with Jack only taking one first, Roscoe and Ben a first each. However, Jack lead was becoming almost unassailable. The sports results were very mixed; Jake Thompson first in race one with Ralph second and Dylan 3rd, race 2 saw Arnau Gelpi first, Robbie 2nd and Fergus 3rd and in the 3rd race Fergus fought hard to take the win from Phoebe Peters and Ewan in some very close racing, lots of places changing in the last leg due to the wind dying.

Thursday delivered a postponement waiting for wind, eventually launching at 3pm. The rain settled in, feeling more like a British drizzle than Spain. Tough conditions for the race officer and all on the water, the sailors not returning until 8pm with the Sport fleet only having managed two races.

Matt Taylor took the first race in the Pro fleet from Albert Gelpi and Jack Lewis, but Jack took race 2 and 3, Roscoe and Albert having seconds and Harrison Pye (GBR) and Josie Ruffles (GBR) in third.

In the Sport Fleet Blake Tudor won the first race from Robbie and Fergus, Race 2 saw Ewan leading Phoebe Peters and Arnau Gelpi. Overnight it was still quite tight.

The final day arrived again with little wind; with the time limit only 2 races were likely. Jack Lewis in the Pro proved his worth as World Champion by taking two firsts, Roscoe and Albert Gelpi in second and Tom Storey and Roscoe thirds.

In the Sports Ewan drove his own victory home with two solid firsts from Robbie and Luke Anstey (GBR) in the first race and Arnau and Dylan in the second. Swapping team shirts at the end of the event was started by Team RSA and was great to see such friendships made.

An amazing event for sailors and supporters alike; all thanks go to the International Class Association, the race committee and all volunteers at the event. The RS Tera Class are heading to Carnac next year and all are welcome to join us. The World Championships are open to under 18’s in the Pro fleet and under 16 in the Sport fleet with an emphasis on fun and enjoyment of sailing.

RS Tera Worlds 2016 - photo © RS Tera Class

For video updates of the event please visit the RS Tera Facebook Page.

Overall Results: