Magic Marine RS Tera National Championship at Plas Heli

Launch time for the RS Teras at Plas Heli © Jane Sunderland

The sun shone on the sailors who arrived in Pwllheli for the RS Tera Nationals 2016, sponsored by Magic Marine. With our biggest ever entry of 124 across all fleets registration was a busy affair with most opting to register on Friday evening. Saturday dawned to blue skies and light winds. Racing for the Main Fleet got underway without postponement at 1300 with the wind light and shifty and a flat sea. The Regatta Fleet began with an onshore coached session from PRO Richard Pye, ably assisted by coaches Matthew Caiger and Tom Johnson to explain Sailing Instructions and courses. This was then followed by their own coached racing.

With conditions reminiscent of the World Championships in Spain, The Pro Fleet was led round by Jack Lewis (Draycote) in the first race followed by Roscoe Martin (Ogston SC) and Hamish Morley (HISC). In race two Jack and Roscoe once more took command, Josh Davies (Brightlingsea/Alton Water) fighting his way to third place. Race Three brought Tom Storey (Yorkshire Dales/Ripon) to the fore with Sophie Johnson (Blackwater) holding Jack back in third place.

Meanwhile the Sport World Champion Ewan Wilson (Wormit SC) proved himself worthy of the title winning all three races from Robbie McDonald (HISC) in second, Phoebe Peters (HISC) third in race one and three whilst Fergus Pye (Draycote) took third in race 2.

In the Regatta Fleet Toby Hatsell (Middle Nene) took line honours from Matthew Rayner (Ripon) and Jessica Peeters (Ripon) in Race one, race two Toby once more stole the show leading local girl Leah Murphy (PDSC?CHYF) and William Balch (HISC). In Race three local knowledge paid off with Leah taking the win from William and Chris Collins (Queen Mary) in third.

Pasta for all sailors when they arrived back on shore kept hunger at bay until an extremely tasty BBQ was laid on, encouraging parents and sailors to enjoy the evening and beautiful weather beyond sunset.

Day two came with slight cloud and the promise of a building breeze throughout the day. Racing began slightly earlier, four races planned with the possibility of a fifth if conditions were right.

Race one began in around 7 knots with Jack sailing away from the rest of the fleet followed by Roscoe and Ben Batchelor (IoMYC). Oliver Kent (Yorkshire Dales/Ripon) took the honours from Ben and Jack in the second race as the wind continued to build, Ben sneaking back to take race 3 from Harrison Pye (Draycote) and Jack whilst race 4 saw Jack return to form to win with Ben in second and Roscoe third.

Jake Thompson (Frensham Pond) in the Sport fleet battled his way forward taking race one with fellow Frensham Ponder Ralph Nevile in second relegating Ewan to third. However in race two tables were turned with Ewan once more taking the lead from Fergus and Dylan McPherson (Burnham) in third. As the wind rose the tail end of the fleet began to feel the pressure of the conditions but at the front it was largely the same bunch of sailors fighting it out, Fergus taking first in race three from Ewan and Ralph, Ewan once more coming back in race four to win, Abigail Tuttle (HISC) making the most of the shifts to come second and Olivia Bracey Davis (HISC) third.

The race committee decided the day had been long enough and the fleet was sent ashore. The Regatta Fleet had three races planned; Liam Farrell (Llandudno) sailed his socks off to take the win from local Leah and Georgina Kent (Ripon/Yorkshire Dales). William Balch came back strongly to win both remaining races with Chris Collins and Leah taking second places and Toby and Chris thirds.

Final race day; wall to wall sunshine showcased the beauty of the venue but with the blue skies came a lack of wind. With the first postponement of the series for the Main fleet, the Regatta fleet headed out to try and complete their 9 race series.

In what was proving to be a very close series Toby took race 7, Jessica in second and Leah hot on her tail in third. Jessica then pulled out all the stops to win race 8 from Daniel Smith (Ripon) and William Balch third. With equal points for Toby and Leah, first place overall was down to the wire in race 9; Daniel winning, Freddie Sunderland (Olton Mere) coming second and Maya Bergmann Smith (HISC) third. Careful match racing had kept Toby ahead of Leah by one place, crowning him Regatta Fleet winner.

With the Main Fleet finally launched at 12, racing began in earnest as the wind had built. With first place in both Fleets pretty clear, the lesser places had much to fight over. In the Pros Jack won race eight with Ben and Roscoe close behind, but it wasn't enough for Ben as Roscoe took the bullet in race nine with Matt Taylor (Brightlingsea) and Jack behind him.

With equal points between second and fifth in the Sport Fleet, there was everything to play for. Ewan won race eight with Jake Thompson in second and Jack Oakley third, Ralph fighting back to win race nine followed by Robbie and Ewan.

The time had run out so the fleet headed for home; third place decided on countback. Glorious sunshine overhead, the awards ceremony took place outside. Endeavour awards for all three fleets and fantastic prizes from our sponsors Magic Marine. The Ian Jameson Trophy was awarded to Ben Batchelor and his family for their amazing work promoting the class in the Isle of Man and truly representing the ethos and spirit of the class.

A fantastic way to spend the Bank Holiday weekend; Sun, Sand, beautiful scenery and many new friends formed from all over the country. Our thanks go to all at Plas Heli who hosted the event, the fantastic volunteers from within the class and locally, competitors and their parents who made the event the biggest ever by travelling from all corners of the country in large numbers and of course our amazing sponsors Magic Marine. Next year's Nationals are due to be held at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy; the next RS Tera National Event is the End of Seasons to be held at Draycote Water SC on 29-30th October. Entries open soon!

Overall Results:

U10 Selden Trophy
William Bailey (Ripon SC)

Team Trophy
Draycote Water SC
Jack Lewis
Harrison Pye
Fergus Pye