Report by Tamsin Butcher

Photos © Jennie Clark

Sailors from as far away as York came to the Waveney and Oulton Broad Yacht Club for the Tera “Train and Race Weekend”. The weather was hot and sunny with a strong breeze all weekend. A total of 12 sailors braved the strong wind and gusty conditions on the Saturday training day. A mixture of Pro and Sport sails spent the morning perfecting their upwind and off wind sailing. The afternoon was dedicated to racing starts and finishing the day with a final race.

After a successful training day spirits were high for the start of Sunday’s racing. After a briefing from the race officer the RS Tera fleet launched into windy conditions on the Broad. There were a total of 19 Tera’s entered for the days racing, 8 Pro sails and 11 Sport sails. Race 1 was completed with Matthew French taking a clear 1^st place, followed by Josh Aldridge in 2^nd place. Flynn Davies was closing in for 2^nd when he experienced kit failure due to the heavy wind and was forced to retire. Then William Taylor finished in 3^rd in the Pro fleet. In the sport fleet Bethany Hood came a clear 1^st with 2^nd being fought for right until the finish line between the next 5 boats. 2^nd place was taken by James Aldridge and then 3^rd by Rupert Watkins.

The wind increased even more for the second race. Racing was tight in the pro fleet as Josh Aldridge took 1^st place. Flynn Davies finishing in 2^nd place and Matthew French finishing in 3^rd. William Taylor capsized on the first beat whilst in first, causing him to retire after a long swim. The sport fleet was again won by Bethany Hood comfortably with Rupert Watkins coming second after James Aldridge death rolled on the down wind leg costing him 2^nd place. Nathanael French getting his best result of the day in 3^rd place.

After lunch the wind dropped off again but was still very gusty. After a capsize on the reach in the pro fleet Matthew French allowed Josh Aldridge to sail into 1^st which he maintained to the end of the race, securing the overall win. William Taylor came 2^nd just behind Josh and Matthew French managed to finish in 3^rd.  Bethany Hood finished in 1^st place in the sport fleet, winning the sport fleet with a race to spare, James Aldridge coming 2^nd and Rupert Watkins in 3^rd place.

The final race was raced in lighter winds and was won by Josh Aldridge followed by William Taylor and Flynn Davies. The sport sail had a different winner for the last race, James Aldridge finished clear in front taking his first 1^st of the day, Bethany Hood finishing in 2^nd and Rupert Watkins in 3^rd.

The overall winner of the Pro sail was Josh Aldridge with 3 points after discard, 2^nd place was tied and was taken on count back, Matthew French with a 1^st taking 2^nd place overall and William Taylor taking 3^rd.

The overall winner for the Sport sail was Bethany Hood with 3 points after discard, James Aldridge with 5 points and Rupert Watkins with 8 points.

The handicap between the fleets was recorded which Josh Aldridge won overall between the 2 classes. The prize for perseverance was awarded to Niamh Davies who completed every race despite the windy conditions. 

Pro Sail Results

Josh Aldridge Burnham SC 1, Matthew French Dabchicks SC 2, William Taylor Ardleigh SC 3, Flynn Davies Burnham SC 4, Tim Koch Hickling Broad SC 5, James Dennis Hickling Broad SC 6, Jonathan Watkins Dabchicks SC 7, Nicholas Koch Hickling Broad SC 8.

Sport Sail Results

Bethany Hood WOBYC 1, James Aldridge Burnham SC 2, Rupert Watkins Dabchicks SC 3, Jack Adams WOBYC 4, Nathanael French Dabchicks SC 5, Joe Drake WOBYC 6, Harry Adams WOBYC 7, Niamh Davies Burnham SC 8, George Browne WOBYC 9, Flora Dell WOBYC 10, Billy Lund WOBYC 11