RS Tera Northern Championships at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club
by Jennie Clark 6 May 2014 10:48 BST
3-4 May 2014
Competitors at the RS Tera Northern Championships © Jennie Clark
The sun shone and the wind came (and went) and 33 young helms and their support teams enjoyed a magnificent weekend of racing as a result. Leigh and Lowton SC were the hosts for this year's Northern Championship event, the first meeting of a series of 4 which will make up the Northern Travellers series. The entry tops last years by 10, and shows just how much the RS Tera fleet is developing in the North of England.
There were 7 competing in the Pro fleet, and Alistair Scott (Ripon SC) took the first race. The RO, Gareth Williams, did his best with the shifty conditions but sent the fleet ashore when it became impossible to set a line or a course and abandoned race 2. Having just got ashore the wind filled in and the fleet were quickly back out on the water for race 3 which was won by Ana Paterson (Ripon SC). In the 26 strong Sport fleet Roscoe Martin (Ogston SC) took the first race but Jack Lewis claimed race 2. Competition was incredibly tight in both fleets with gasps and groans from the shore based spectators as the places changed continually. At the back of the fleet some gentle coaching from Bernard Clark (Northern Tera Coach) and Max Todd (Rydal Penhros and WYA) encouraged some 'new to racing' helms with tips and hints. The phrase 'a flappy sail is not a happy sail' was heard on more than one occasion over the weekend!
There was more wind on Sunday and the fleet were afloat for a 10.30 start. In the Pro fleet Peter Owen (Derwent Reservoir SC) took the 3rd race, with Henry Rastrick (Ripon SC) taking line honours for the Sports. A quick break for a snack and drink and the fleet headed back out on the water for Race 4. Alistair bounced back to lead the Pro fleet home with Jack Lewis doing the same in the Sport fleet.
Those on the shore had by now worked out that it was all to play for with the final positions depending on the last race and the number of binoculars trained on the racing grew as a result! There were some huge changes in position as the wind came and went and changed direction – with some changes happening yards from the line. In the end the Pro fleet race winner – and trophy winner too – was Harry Jones of Draycote Water SC, with Jack Lewis taking the Sport race and trophy.
A great weekend of sailing and socialising was had by all, and the fleet thanks Leigh and Lowton SC for hosting such a great event.
Overall Results: (top three)
Pro Fleet
1st Harry Jones, DWSC
2nd Peter Owen, DRSC
3rd Alistair Scott, RSC
1st Girl, Ana Paterson, RSC
Sport Fleet
1st Jack Lewis, DWSC
2nd Roscoe Martin, OSC
3rd Henry Rastrick, RSC
1st Girl, Ellie Clark, RSC/DRSC