Cracker Regatta and RS Tera training at Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club

Chipping off the ice for the Cracker Regatta © Brett Cokayne

Threats from the Met office of "weather bombs" did not deter 20 keen young sailors from chipping the ice off their boats to compete in Christmas cracker regatta at Derwent Reservoir in Northumberland.

The local fleet of Teras and Optimists were joined by visitors from Llandudno, Windermere and Ripon who are were competing in a race and train day under the watchful eye of the Northern Tera chief coach Brett Cokayne and his team.

Christmas card conditions met the racers on arrival with snow on the hills, icicles in their boats, blue sky and a perfect 15-18 mph wind. The coaching team had an initial briefing session reminding the Northern squad of all they have learnt so far in the winter training.

Father Christmas aka Race Officer Howard aided by his trusty reindeer Rudolph set the course and quickly got the racing underway. Tera Pros, Sports and Optimists started their campaign for the overall crown of Cracker champion.

In race 1 Peter Owen in the Tera pro was very closely chased by George Combe in the smaller sport rig. Impressive sailing by George meant he was second on the water beating all the other larger pro rigs. He won easily on handicap.

Just as race 2 got underway the sky turned dark and down came the snow! Father Christmas took pity on the chilly sailors and shortened the race. Peter could not put enough distance ahead on the water in the Pro to stop George and Optimist Oscar beating him on handicap.

After a much needed hot lunch, the defrosted sailors (and even more frozen race and coach teams!) re-launched. A late wind shift left a serious line bias causing carnage on the start line and general recall. In the final race Peter managed enough time advantage on the water to get his win on handicap.

The overall Cracker champion in the Sport was George Combe with Peter Owen in a Pro in second place and Thomas Nichol in a Sport in 3rd. First Optimist in 5th overall was Oscar Shilling and 1st girl was Tatiana Dickinson.

Head coach Brett awarded the coaches prizes to Ailish Graham and Kevin Farrell who as juniors in the fleet demonstrated incredible determination in competing in all 3 races in challenging conditions.

Overall Results: