RS Tera South West Traveller Series Open at Whitefriars Sailing Club

As has become traditional, Whitefriars SC in the Cotswold Water Park hosted the first round of the 2026 RS Tera South West Traveller Series. The series, which will visit a diverse mix of coastal and inland clubs, began in the sheltered waters of Whitefriars where light and shifting winds often provide a challenge to visiting sailors.

Fortunately, unlike in previous years, by the time the fleet of 19 Teras were ready to launch, there was a steady breeze of around 6kts across the racecourse, which held for the day. Visitors came from a range of clubs across the south, south-west and midlands with two sailors travelling from as far afield as Devon.

Whitefriars RS Tera Open - photo © Tim Lee

For the first race of the day, Race Officer Chris Hargreaves opted for a figure-of-eight course. Arabella Broughton (Chew Valley Lake SC) having only decided to use a Pro sail just before racing began, led the fleet around the course for the whole race. Just behind, several of the Sport sailors battled it out in a close fought race. Kilian Snelling (Oxford SC) was clearly not phased by the fact that he was racing away from his home club and in a fleet of Teras for the first time. Challenging Amy Heyburn (Whitefriars SC) for the whole race, Kilian ended up finishing just behind Amy for an excellent second place once the handicap results had been calculated. In race 2, the battle in the Pro fleet heated up with Jonas Spicer (Frensham Pond SC) leading the fleet followed very closely by Arabella Broughton. Neither however could fully shake off Amy Heyburn who again finished first in the handicap results.

Following a jacket potato and salad lunch prepared by the galley team, the fleet re-launched to complete the final two races of the day. The breeze had built slightly and shifted which necessitated some changes to the course, although judging by the popularity of the pin end in race 4 there was still some bias in the course. Amy Heyburn continued her good form to win the final two races of the day and the event overall. Jonas Spicer finished as the first Pro and 2nd overall on countback just ahead of Oscar Lee (Whitefriars SC) who sailed strongly in the afternoon to secure 3rd place.

Whitefriars RS Tera Open - photo © Tim Lee

As ever at these events it is not just about the front of the fleet with sailors throughout the fleet racing hard all day, developing their skills, and making new friends. Spot prizes were awarded to Tilly White (Bowmoor SC), William Redshaw (Draycote Water SC), and Hugh Fitzjohn-Sykes (Stoke Gabriel) for effort and consistent racing. Abigail Redshaw (Draycote Water SC) and Charlie Hesling (Whitefriars SC), both competing in their first open events, were also awarded prizes for their effort and persistence with both sailors showing significant improvement as the day progressed.

A big thank-you to all the volunteers at Whitefriars who made the day so successful and enjoyable to the racers and visitors. The series now moves on to Exe SC on Saturday 23rd May. Please visit www.rstera.org.uk/southwesttraveller2026 for full details of the rest of the series.

Overall Results: