RS Tera World Challenge Trophy at Ljungskile, Sweden - Day 1

RS Tera World Challenge Trophy in Sweden day 1 © Giles Smith

The RS Tera Class is fondly known for its class hug and this is how day one started, symbolising the unity of the sailors from all over the globe in a friendly and fair competition. All sailors launched efficiently launched and made their way out to the racecourse, around half a mile south of the event village.

A non-forecasted change in wind direction and pressure forced an early postponement to racing, but the RS Tera Pro fleet was soon under way for its first official race of the World Challenge Trophy 2019. The breeze was a highly inconsistent 5 knots in both speed and direction. Max Steele had an excellent start crossing the fleet on port tack before discovering a big wind shift to the left which was enough to lift much of the fleet to the port lay line for the windward mark.

RS Tera World Challenge Trophy in Sweden day 1 - photo © Giles Smith

This affected the Sport fleet commencing racing as the race committee took the decision to adapt to the variable conditions. At 12.28 the Sport fleet finally got away. Both of the opening races for the Pro fleet went to Alice Davis of Great Moor SC, despite receiving a penalty in race 2 for a rule 42 infringement. She was delighted with her results and put her success down to "playing the shifts" as the conditions favoured sailors who paid close attention to the variable conditions. Even local sailor, Tage Barne, sailing in the Pro fleet, found the breeze unusual, describing the conditions as "really hard", with the large shifts causing him to consider changing his racing strategy "in just a few seconds."

Sailors from as far away as the USA and South Africa joined in the RS Tera Pro fleet racing with excellent displays of both sailing skill and sporting behaviour on show to accompany some results to be very proud of.

RS Tera World Challenge Trophy in Sweden day 1 - photo © Lee Timothy / RS Sailing

The breeze continued to fluctuate throughout the session, with some shifts that decided races in the sport fleet. Jac Bailey from Port Dinorwic SC, was the winner of race 1 after forcing a commanding lead of over 300 metres on the nearest competitor as he cruised over the line. Races 2 and 3 for the Sport fleet were, at first hosted under India flag, but then progressed onto a black flag start to get the final race of the day under way.

A special mention for the day must go to the Ukrainian sailor Pavlo Zinchenko who had an infectious smile on his face all day and entertained many sailors in the sport fleet with his water games and positive attitude.

More racing awaits the sailors tomorrow with another 3 races schooled for each fleet. The forecast is for conditions more stable than today with a chance of rain, which will affect the breeze on the course. Keep updated with action on the RS Tera Sailing and Tera Worlds 2019 Facebook pages.

Results after Day 1:

Pro Fleet

Sport Fleet

RS Tera World Challenge Trophy in Sweden day 1 - photo © Giles Smith