RS Tera World Championships in Denmark
by Jonathan Lewis 8 Aug 2011 16:01 BST
1-5 August 2011
Racing at the RS Tera World Championships © Jonathan Lewis
GBR Sailors come out on Top
A first day of 15 to 20 knots gave all competitors a shock after the practice race was abandoned due to no wind.
With the race officer unable to judge the speed of the two fleets, a 90 minute race ensued, with cobwebs certainly being blown off, swiftly followed by two further races. It is fair to say that all the competitors were now aware that they were at a World Championships.
Days 2 and 3 (with 3 races a day) gave lighter conditions but introduced shifty winds with the right seeming to be favoured.
And then came Freaky Friday, 2 races were held with the wind at 15 knots, gusting up to 25 knots, which seemed to come through whenever the Pros were on the run !
So, with the variable wind and sea states, the World Champion was going to have to prove themselves in all weathers.
In the Pros, Will Taylor gave a master class to the fleet on how to sail a boat quickly. He dominated the fleet with out-standing pace and consistency. With one race being won by 2 mins 45 secs, the fleet watched on in awe as, even with a couple of bad starts, he powered through them.
Winning with a day (two races) to spare, he became GBR's first World Champion of the week. Praise must also go to the Italians who are learning fast and took 2nd and 3rd overall. Rebecca Lewis took the Ladies trophy, with Aimee Shute (IOM) finishing the week fast to claim 2nd Lady.
Will's victory set the bar for the Sports, and for the last day and brought with it a bag of nerves for many of our sailors.
Elliott Wells, lying first overall was understandably under pressure going into the last day. With the first race being the tone setter, Coach explined how everyone else will be feeling the pressure and if he stuck to his basics and changed nothing all would be fine. His father, Rob, just mumbled into his jacket and closed his eyes.
Elliott kept his nerve and secured 2nd place, behind Greg Wells, which secured the title with a race to spare. Coach took the decision not to tell Elliott in case something had happened that they were not aware of. Rob fought hard to not give the game away, and in the second and windiest race of the week, Elliott showed his class with a confident race win and the Title was in no doubt.
Greg Wells ended the week in stunning form and was unlucky not to take second overall. 1 point covered 2nd, 3rd and 4th with Greg being on the lower end. 2nd and 3rd were taken by RSA sailors, who have clearly been training hard through out the last 12 months.
The Ladies trophy was taken by Margherita from Italy who had been holding 2nd overall until a bit of a wobble in the stronger winds of the last day. Anya Green took second, with a consistent set of the results, with Grace (Growler) Summers an excellent 3rd.
Praise must be given to all our Team who all rose to the challenge and put in impressive performances. The Race Officer, International Judges and the Finishing Boat team all commented on what a pleasure it had been to be around our sailors.
Praise must go to the Danes who put on an excellent event and with the inclusion of the TRAC TRAC system, provided a screen for the parents to watch the racing. (No binocular eye in the Teras !)
TRAC TRAC was also put to good use by those back home, with Hayling Family Fun Week being held in the bar in front of their big telly. From comments texted to us, this was a roaring success which will clearly inspire the next generation of Tera sailors. Rumours also abound that the conference room at Tackticks Head Office, was turned into our version of Henman Hill. Apolgies to anyone still awaitng delivery.
In true style, the parents of our newly crowned Champions took their dip in the Fjord. Coach also kept to his promise that he would do the same if we won both fleets.
The awards ceremony was reminiscent of the Olympics, with National Anthems and Flag hoisting, it is fair to say that there was not a parent without a tear in their eye. (Maybe the odd coach too!)
Overall an excellent event, creating worthy World Champions, new friends from new countries and great experience for all the competitors for the future. All this was achieved in a friendly and happy enviroment at Aabenraa Sejl Club.
Next years venue is yet to be announced, so watch this space, believe me, this is an event not to be missed.