RS Tera Inland Championships at Rutland Sailing Club

Will Robinson, RS Tera Pro Inland Champion © Nick Neve

Crispin Beaumont wins the RS Tera Sport Inland Championship at Rutland in 2010 © Digital Images

RS Tera Inlands Team Winners © Nick Neve

Fifty young sailors from 22 clubs came together to compete in the Optimum Time RS Tera Inland Championships at Rutland SC over the half term holiday. The sailors met challenging conditions with some strong squalls on Saturday but both fleets showed excellent sailing skills and sportsmanship in this fast growing junior class.

The 30 strong Tera Sport fleet was dominated by Crispin Beaumont of Bartley SC who became the new Tera Sport Inland Champion with a near perfect scoreline of 4 firsts and two seconds. Rebecca Lewis of Draycote, the current UK National Champion, sailed consistently well to take 2nd place followed by Elliot Wells of Hayling Island SC and James Eales of the Royal Lymington YC.

The Pro Fleet racing was very close with only 3 points separating 1st to 5th at the end of the weekend. Will Robinson of Rutland SC won to become the Pro Fleet Inland Champion with William Taylor of Ardleigh SC 2nd and Izzy Sharpe of the Isle of Man YC third.

Congratulations also go to all of the Isle of Man sailors from the Manx Youth Sailing Squad and their Coach Jenni Quillan for winning the overall Tera Inlands Team Trophy.

Will Robinson, RS Tera Pro Inland Champion 2010 reports on the Pro fleet

‘Before the weekend’s racing even started, it all looked very promising on the weather front with 15-20 knots of wind forecast for both days. In race 1 many Pros got confused after missing the last mark and they had to return to round that mark before finishing. Once racing got under way again there was a massive gust late in race 2 that sent everyone planing or capsizing so the heavier people gained some places not far from the finish line. Just before we finished there was a large wind shift. This eventually caused the course to be moved back into wind which took a while to sort out. After this, race 3 had consistent wind conditions and we managed to come back pretty much on time. The Race Committee did well throughout the day to achieve 3 races.

Sunday was every bit as windy as Saturday but there was certainly more of a chill in the air. The course throughout the day was the same as Race 3 with very close racing and a lot of hiking. Most sailors managed to complete all the races too which made it even better. After all 6 completed races, only 3 points separated the top five sailors.

It was great to be able to win at my home club. Many thanks to all those involved in organising the weekend, to Optimum Time for their support and to everyone for making such an effort to come along and enjoy the sport.’

Crispin Beaumont, RS Tera Sport Inland Champion, 2010 reports on the Sports fleet

‘The first day provided winds gusting up to 40 knots which gave the fleet challenging racing. The first race was interesting with the front of the fleet missing the final leeward mark and having to turn back, Crispin Beaumont realising first, rounded the mark to win, followed by Rebecca Lewis who took advantage of the leading packs mistake.

Race two saw Crispin leading round the third from last mark followed by Elliot Wells then the rest of the lead boats only to be hit by a squall which flattened the front of the fleet, it was then a race to see who could get their boat up the quickest with Rebecca triumphing, allowing her to finish first followed by Elliot and then Crispin. The third and final race of the day saw Crispin win with James Eales (Royal Lymington YC) in second. After day one Crispin Beaumont was leading by one point from Rebecca Lewis. The fourth and fifth were won by Crispin with Elliott finishing second. The final race saw Greg Kelly from the Isle of Man take first followed by Eliot Wells.’ Rutland SC hosted a fantastic event and the RS Tera Class would like to thank everyone at Rutland for all their hard work and for making us feel so welcome. Mike Haynes, Rutland’s PRO summed up the weekend racing with the following comments,

'I will remember this weekend for a long time. Both Pro's and Sport's starts were as impressive as the Feva's. Please pass on my thanks to the coaches, parents and sailors, each for their part. Clearly, the sailors have set a very high standard this weekend. I really hope I will have the privilege to enjoy my hobby with these sailors again. They have set a benchmark and should be very proud of their achievement.'

Overall Results: