Magic Marine/Osper RS Tera National Championship at the WPNSA

RS Tera Nationals at the WPNSA © Steve Greenwood

On Friday 28th August 88 competitors from all over the country arrived at Weymouth Portland National Sailing Academy for the Magic Marine/Osper RS Tera National Championships, along with 21 excited budding young sailors who joined the Regatta fleet for four days of coaching and racing.

As is usual the day before racing, official or not, is practice day. With the sun shining all day, we saw nearly everyone out of the water, before the efficient registration team helped get every boat organised for the next days of racing.

Saturday, day one of racing, proved itself to be warm although light winds led to frustrating postponements and the first race was finally abandoned 25 minutes in! Eventually the wind obliged and filled in leaving both fleets time for 2 races. Overall in the Pro fleet Jack Lewis (Draycote Water SC) had a very convincing lead after a good start in frustrating winds followed by Niamh Davies (Burnham SC) and Jamie Rastrick (Ripon SC) who had a great day considering it was his first event with the Pro sail. Meanwhile in the Sports Oliver Kent from Ripon and Yorkshire Dales SC had a consistent set of results rightfully putting him in 1st, 2nd came Matt Taylor (Alton Water SC) and Hamish Morely (Hayling Island SC).

Jack Lewis during the RS Tera Nationals at the WPNSA - photo © Steve Greenwood

The light winds continued onto the next day with fairly dry but overcast weather throughout the day. After heading out early, racing was hard in the 4 knots they had but luckily, contrary to the forecast the wind picked up during the afternoon, making it possible for 3 races to be completed in both fleets. At the end of the day, still leading in the Pro fleet was Jack Lewis another fabulous young sailor: Roscoe Martin (Ogston SC) 2nd overall with his first time sailing the pro rig close behind Charlotte Omerod Oxford Sc), with notable performances from Will Caiger (Bewl Valley SC) and Dylan Collingbourne (Burnham SC). Matt Taylor claimed top position in the Sport fleet although Tom Storey (Ripon/Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club) on equal points moved up to 2nd, and 3rd was Hamish Morely (Hayling Island SC).

Monday, day 3 of racing, brought medium to light winds, enabling 4 races to be sailed to complete the series, with the title of National Champion at stake, all was to sail for. The girls in both fleets really proved themselves on this final day with Charlotte Omerod and Ana Paterson (Ripon SC) taking 2nd and 3rd behind Jack Lewis, in race 8. Ana was again 3rd in the next race behind Jack and Roscoe, and in the final race of the series Niamh Davies (Burnham SC),Charlotte Omerod and Ana Paterson came 2nd, 4th and 6th, allowing Jack, Ethan Miles (Hayling Island SC) and Jamie Rastrick (Ripon Sailing Club) the odd numbers! After the full day of racing the outcome was set. The podium positions in the Pro fleet were; 1st and National Champion for the second year, Jack Lewis and 2nd overall and1st girl Charlotte Omerod and, all the way from the Isle of Man, Ben Batchelor came 3rd.

There was also close racing in the final day in the sport fleet, Race 8 saw Oliver Kent, Ewan Wilson, all the way from Wormit Sc in Scotland and Fergus Pye (Draycote SC) being the first group round the windward mark and holding these positions for line honours, 1st,2nd and 3rd respectively. Fergus was in the groove on this final day and took second behind Tom Storey in Race 9, with Flo Peters (Hayling Island SC) coming in third, her third third of the series. Race 10 saw Hamish Morely, with Oliver Kent second and Rupert Jameson (Hayling Island SC)finding form with third.

Tom Storey during the RS Tera Nationals at the WPNSA - photo © Steve Greenwood

With all races sailed, the Sport results were Tom Storey as the new RS Tera Sport Champion with Hamish Morely and Oliver Kent also climbing the podium for 2nd and 3rd place.

Niamh Davies was awarded the new Ian Jameson award to the sailor who demonstrates the great ethos of the Tera Association in honour of the departing chair. The club prize was awarded to Ripon SC.

The regatta fleet were brilliantly coached by Peter and Matt Lulham Robinson and Finn Davies, they had some trying times when the wind picked up on the second say of racing, but had battled on in the shallow waters close to the shore.The final results for the regatta fleet were as follows. With a credible lead overall Albert Gilmore (Royal Dart YC) won with Oliver Stuart (Andrew Simpson SC) and James Carleton from Papercourt SC coming 2nd and 3rd.

A fond farewell and heartfelt thanks were given at the prize giving to Ian Jameson who stepped down as Class Chairman and handed the baton to David Oakley.

Overall Results: