RS Tera End Of Seasons Championships at Draycote Water Sailing Club

Sport fleet (by Zak Sanderson-Davies)

The End of Seasons for the Sport class was a challenging event as each day had very different conditions - perfect to test the sailors!

31 sailors lined up for the first start at Draycote in relatively light conditions after a very fierce storm had passed through during the evening. The start was a disappointment for a group of eights sailors, including myself, as we were black flagged for being over the line in the minute before the start! The actual start was clean and Nathan Russel (RHYC) claimed the first victory. The wind began to freshen again, and the second race was much more challenging which suited me well taking the bullet. A quick lunch break and out again into even stronger wind conditions for, in my opinion, the best race of the day with my second bullet. Only three races sailed in the end as conditions were tough and very cold.

RS Tera End Of Seasons Championships at Draycote Water - photo © Steven Angell

The next day brought clear skies and an early frost. With it came light winds but the race team were determined to sail four races. It was a challenge for the race officer to ensure the course made the most of the conditions and race 4, 5 and 6 all had different courses. Thanks to the team for the work required to ensure great racing. Freddie Sunderland (OMSC) took the first bullet, I took the second and Nathan Russell (RHYC) picked up the final two.

It was a great weekend's racing with a range of conditions. Thanks to everyone who helped make the event such a success and well done to all the sailors for making it a weekend of good close racing.

RS Tera End Of Seasons Championships at Draycote Water - photo © Steven Angell

Pro fleet (by Toby Hatsell)

The RS Tera End of Season Championships 2019 was hosted by Draycote Sailing Club. In total, 54 boats from around the country turned up to race in some varied, and sometimes testing, conditions.

The first day dawned with rather miserable weather but there was a good breeze that built steadily throughout the day. After a short delay to see England victorious in the rugby, the racing got under way. Toby Hatsell managed to secure a win in the first race, followed closely by Tristan Ahlheid. The wind picked up a fair bit for the second race causing one or two unexpected capsizes! The race was won by William Bailey, excelling in the stronger conditions. A short lunch break followed for the competitors to warm up a bit and replenish their energies.

RS Tera End Of Seasons Championships at Draycote Water - photo © Steven Angell

The third race started quickly after the break, with Imogen Wade this time taking the win and Tristan Alheid and Toby Hatsell close behind. Since it was already starting to get dark, that was it for the day.

Day 2 bought much more pleasant conditions of blue sky and sunshine, but with a lighter breeze. The fourth race saw Toby Hatsell in first followed by Imogen Wade, who then went on to win the fifth race, with an extremely close finish between the top three boats.

After a short lunch break, race 6 got under way. Toby Hatsell took the win, with Tristan Alheid and William Bailey not far behind. William Bailey then won the final race of the event convincingly, after expertly choosing the left-hand favourable side of the beat.

Overall, it was a really fun event and all the sailors had a great time. Many thanks to Draycote for hosting and all the hard work of the race officer and the other volunteers who made it such a great weekend!

Overall Results: