P&B RS Tera Open at Great Moor Sailing Club

RS Teras at Great Moor © Lucas Shrimpton

Eighteen eager sailors arrived at Great Moor Sailing Club in beautiful sunshine for the RS Tera Open Sponsored by P&B on 1st October 2016. A lack of wind troubled the Race Team but they made the best of it and set a course.

With 5 local sailors (some of whom had never sailed a Tera) and experienced travellers, it is fair to say the fleet was very mixed but there were enough Pro rigs to warrant a separate start.

After a briefing from Race Officer Roger Blake, the sailors excitedly waited to be allowed to launch by the beach team. They then headed up the lake to begin racing on the tricky waters of Grebe Lake.

The Pro rigs set off and were racing in earnest. The Frensham Pond travellers showed off their knowledge of small shifty lakes with Ralph Nevile narrowly winning from clubmate Luke Anstey, Fergus Pye of Draycote coming in third.

Race 2 was a similar affair for first and second, but this time Tim Hire (RLYC) crept into third in front of Fergus.

In the Sport Fleet, race one saw local girl Alice Davis fighting back from 3rd position to win the first race from Abby Hire (RLYC) and Frensham's Tom Ahlheid in third. Race two was more clear cut with Alice taking the lead early on from Tom A (2nd) and his clubmate Tom Stratton Brown (3rd).

With a break for a delicious lunch and relaxation in front of the roaring woodburning fire (Autumn had kicked in a little), the wind decided to swing round by 180 degrees causing consternation for the race team, especially as it was falling in pressure. They quickly changed the course and got the racing going again.

RS Teras at Great Moor - photo © Emily Davis

Race 3 in the Pros gave Ralph his third bullet, but Fergus Pye proved that Draycote sailors are also shift spotters by pushing Luke into 3rd.

In the Sports the race was being comfortably led by Alice; and then the wind dropped even more. It became very exciting with much place changing by the rest of the fleet as puffs caught one sailor but not another; meanwhile Alice was stuck in a hole as they all crept up! Would she hold on to her position???

Ultimately her lead was too great and showed local knowledge is a wonderful thing, giving her the bullet with Tristan Ahlheid (Frensham Pond) and Tom Stratton Brown (Frensham) taking 2nd and 3rd.

The course was adjusted yet again as the wind dropped further; just starting Race 4 before the time limit. After 10 minutes on the first beat, however, the decision was made to abandon racing for the day, leaving no discards for the series.

With Hot Dogs in sailors hands Prize Giving got underway with something for everyone and prizes generously donated by P&B. The Rookie Fleet winner was awarded to Nika Jackson Moore from Great Moor who took her chances with the experienced Pro Sailors and the Endeavour Award went to her brother Luke in the Sport Fleet.

Our thanks go to all who travelled to the event, the team of volunteers who pulled it off in tricky conditions and of course our local sponsor P&B for providing prizes. We hope to return in greater numbers next year!

Overall Results:

1st Tera Pro: Ralph Nevile (Frensham Pond SC)
1st Tera Sport: Alice Davis (Great Moor SC)
2nd Tera Sport: Tom Ahlheid (Frensham Pond SC)
3rd Tera Sport: Tom Stratton Brown (Frensham Pond SC)
1st Rookie: Nika Jackson Moore (Great Moor SC)
Endeavour Trophy: Luke Jackson Moore (Frensham Pond SC)