A busy summer for Eastern RS Tera sailors

RS Tera Eastern Travellers 2015 © Steve Greenwood

RS Tera Eastern Travellers 2015 © Steve Greenwood

RS Tera Eastern Travellers 2015 © Steve Greenwood

The Fox's RS Tera Eastern 2015 Traveller Series comprised of 2 opens, 4 train & race weekends and the Eastern Championships. Once again it attracted over 60 boats across the series, with most events having over 30 entries. Whilst there was incredibly close competitive racing at the front of both the Sport and Pro fleets, we have also welcomed lots of new younger sailors who will be the winners of the future.

An extremely windy weekend at Broxborne Sailing Club kicked the series off in April. Oscar Cubitt (Alton Water) won the pro fleet, but not without a spectacular capsize in front of the club house with James Oakley (RHS) in 2nd. In the Sports fleet, Matt Taylor (Alton Water) started as he meant to go on with win number 1 of the series, followed home by Josh Davies (RHS). The fleet moved to the picturesque River Orwell in May for the Tera & Topper Open at Royal Harwich Yacht Club. In the Pros, the honours changed with Lucy Greenwood (Alton Water) winning and Tim Hire (Royal Lymington) in 2nd. Matt Taylor took his second win with Jack Oakley (Grafham Water) in 2nd.

The Eastern Championships in June at Alton Water saw more competitive racing in both fleets. Whilst Matt Taylor clocked up his 3rd win in the Sports, with Tristan Richardson (RHS) in 2nd, it was Will Caiger (Bewl Valley) who won the Championship in the Pros ahead of Matt Smith (Brightlingsea) and Oscar Cubitt. Competitors and parents alike enjoyed fun & games and a convivial curry evening.

The fleet moved onto Brightlingsea in early July for some final practice before the World Championships later in the month. Sea sailing in strong winds proved to be perfect practice for the Worlds. It was local sailor Matt Smith's turn to take the bullet in the Pros, followed by Will Caiger. In the Sports, Matt won the series with his 4th win and Josh took his second 2nd. 20 Eastern sailors then crossed the North Sea at the end of July to the World Championships in Holland in the stormiest conditions since 1901. The heavy weather events earlier in the season paid off and the Eastern sailors delivered some excellent results (and had lots of fun both on and off the water).

Back in the UK, many sailors enjoyed the Tera fleets in the local regattas at Pyefleet week and Royal Harwich and Aldeburgh junior weeks. The traveller series moved to Burnham sailing club and the sailor's tidal skills were put to the test. Matt Taylor moved up to the Pro fleet and took his fifth win of the series followed home by local sailor Naimh Davies. Matt's move up to the Pro, left the field clear for Josh to take his first win and Jack a second 2nd.

Up to Aldeburgh Yacht Club in September for a great day of training on Saturday with some strong wind over tide creating challenging wave practice for the sailors. However, overnight the wind died and the only race on Sunday was abandoned. The prizes were therefore decided by the coaches for endeavour, improvement or particuarly amusing situations. The Eastern Squad also said goodbye to coach Will Taylor wishing him all the best at University.

Coming into the last event at the Alton Water Single Hander Open, it was all to play for in the Pro fleet, especially with Matt and Tristan moving up from the sports fleet and upsetting the mix at the front of the Pro fleet. In tricky light wind conditions, Matt Taylor finished the series as he started with a sixth win (and his second in the Pro) followed home by Matt Smith. Josh dominated the Sport fleet with Blake Tudor (Brightlingsea) taking 2nd. It was also great to see ex Tera sailor Archie Hainsworth win the Aero fleet.

Just 3 points separated 1st and 3rd in the Pros in the traveller series. Matt Smith took the trophy with Will Caiger in second. Tim Hire who had sailed an incredibly consistent series came third. Matt Taylor won the Sports series (with two races to spare) with Josh Davies in second and Jack Oakley in third for the second year running. Tim and Jack also won the buddy pairs based on their best 3 combined results. Many thanks to Fox's who sponsored the series and provided some great prizes.

Eastern Squad winter training kicks off this coming Saturday. Whilst some of the original core of the squad have outgrown their Teras and will be lending a hand to the coaches, we have a lot of new young blood coming in. Volunteers are rapidly filling up the cake rota - lets hope for some good autumn weather.

Overall Results: