Rooster Sailing RS Tera Open Hill Head Sailing Club 2011

In 2008 Hill Head Sailing Club held the first RS Tera nationals, in this short time the class has grown exponentially, the race team and all involved at Hill Head have opened their eyes to the new youngsters in the line-up.

Commitment, joy to be on the water and inclusiveness are adjectives which spring to mind.

The club organised a training day on the Saturday  which attracted over 30 sailors, with sailing conditions sent from heaven; the only issue was seeing the mark flags flying in the sun-reflected wavelets. Dan Alldis, John Piatt, Charly Capon and Tracey Jacobs arranged some superb training exercises which saw some of the local and visiting sailors prosper with new found confidence. The chance to sail amongst a good sized fleet has an inspiring effect; the day was finished off with a number of mini races and a de-briefing.

Race day woke with only a whisper of wind and eyes were fixed upon the Rooster Sailing flag the race team willing it to fly a little fuller. The start was postponed and the race team kept on their toes and set a trapezoid course as the wind built. With the Pros starting first and a long first beat out into mid Solent the Pros made short shrift with the building wind. Brothers Yann and Tristan possibly chatting about local conditions gave them a 1,2 with the rest of the fleet close on their sterns. The sports set off with a great start, Liam Willis from Lymington, Joshua Boniface and Alex Butler carving out through the fleet on the first lap contesting hard,  with Alex keeping everything together and fine display of lee bowing to cross the line first. The finishing line had to be moved as the wind dropped to torment the sailors and the race team, the mid fleet being tested by a strong tide.

Some hasty mark moving and a shorter windward/ leeward course got proceedings underway. George Catchpole took a shine to this new course and worked hard at keeping an advantage over Josh Bakker. Sports were also raring to go on this new course, Billy Vennis Ozanne was on fire after finishing  4^th  with an OCS in the first race, flying up the first beat creating a commanding lead over  Ossian Bracegirdle and Henry Jameson to take local boat line honours.

3^rd Race saw the Pros with the line hotly contended and this time 1^st place was taken by Anya  Green with George on her heels and Luke Bailey with some great manoeuvring around the sport fleet on their beat. Sports with a hard fought start for committee boat end start was all clear, Henry, Alex and Billy contesting hard up the first beat; Billy rounded first and kept position to the finish first, followed closely by Henry and Alex.

With Tristan and George very close on points these two had all to play in the fourth and last race, George showing good consistency finishing third just pipping Tristan on points for overall victory. Very gracefully the Pros allowed all four races to have a new winner and Luke Bailey from Emsworth took line honours. Sports were just as close on points with Alex, Billy and Henry all up for an event win. Four OCS’s gives an idea of the pressure on the start, Alex getting a clean start along with Henry at the port end forged ahead. Alex’s consistency gave him the race and the event, followed by Billy one point behind and Henry one point further back. Commendation most go to all sailors with a 100% finish ratio this surely shows enjoyment and commitment .Local Sailor Gemma Ainscow received the Achievement  award sailing in a new model boat kindly loaned from RS sailing for the event.  Prizes sponsored by Rooster Sailing with tea and some tasty cakes finished a superb two day event. Thanks to all the volunteers at Hill Head Sailing club for the same commitment that the sailors gave and thanks to RS sailing and Rooster Sailing for sponsorship, look forward to seeing you and many more next year.

Full Results- 

HHSC Open Event - RS Tera Pro Fleet - Final Results

HHSC Open Event - RS Tera Sport Fleet - Final Results