Report by Golly Tucker, IRSCA

The RS Tera Pro and Sport fleets hit the water promptly and on schedule at 13.30 as soon as the ‘D’-launch flag was hoisted. The sea breeze quickly built to a bit more than the forecast 9-12kts. It seemed to peak at something more akin to 16kt or so. The race officer had warned that one more race than scheduled might be attempted and so it was. Three races was a serious physical effort.

Maisie Letten, who wasn’t in the squads shot out of the blocks in race 1 to get a 3rd in the bag. But the days honours belonged to James Kelly with 2 firsts and a 6th. Josh Aldridge is only 1 point back on 9 for the day whilst 3rd place overnight is Hannah Howitt on 18. So there is at present a gap developing between the leading 2 and the chasing pack.

In the Sport fleet the variety at the front was amazing with 5 Nations in the top 6 slots and the Italians being the ones to score twice. The others were French, South African, British and Swedish. Brice Yrieix from France holds the overnight top of podium slot. Eoin Lyden from Ireland holds onto Middle step whilst Ugo Zunardi from Italy is in the final glory position. A long way to go though.

Crispin Beaumont is leading the British challenge currently in 4th but only off the podium on a tie break. Next race the discards start kicking in so stand by for a tightening of the positions after race 4.

Full results on the Yacht Club de Carnac website.

Eight young RS Tera sailors aged from 8 to 16 crossed the English Channel over the weekend for charity.

Ossian, Yann and Tristan Bracegirdle,  Ossie Bissett, Mathew French, Libby, Jonny and Rupert Watkins sailed from Dover to Calais in five hours in their 2.8 metre long  RS Tera sailboats..

Congratulations to everyone involved it the successful crossing - a first for the growing RS Tera class.

A full report is being written for publication . . . watch this space!

Published by the RYA on July 15 2010

The single-handed RS Tera joins the RYA's growing number of 'Recognised Junior Classes'

The RYA has added the RS Tera dinghy to it’s growing number of Recognised Junior Classes, deeming the single-handed dinghy class well placed in enabling sailors to progress their racing skills and enjoy a lifetime with the sport.  

The RYA Racing Committee endorsed the RYA Youth Steering Group’s (YSG) request to grant the RS Tera recognition after the Class Association worked with the RYA over the past months to satisfy the status granting criteria during the successful application process.  

The RYA YSG, a committee of volunteers who are responsible for endorsing policy, advising, challenging and liaising RYA Racing staff, aims to create the optimum framework of Youth and Junior Racing through maintaining a healthy vibrant and inclusive climate of Racing and Race Training in the UK for young sailors. And the addition of the RS Tera class to the RYA’s programme is an exciting step.  

Duncan Truswell, RYA Youth Racing Manager commented: “The RS Tera, which is the first class to be recognised at this status since the inception of a revised policy in the spring of 2009, delivers a comprehensive programme of domestic competition for a wide range of abilities.

“The class has established itself as a popular and versatile training, and race training boat which already has a strong representation within some key clubs and centres.

He continued: “We hope that by working more closely with the Tera Class Association we will be able to provide a more robust pathway for sailors to progress from introductory schemes within clubs and centres to regular participation in racing and race training providing them with a vehicle to enjoy a lifetime within the sport.  

“Facilitated via a growing number of Tera fleets in clubs as well as increasingly established regional and national class association activity, the Tera provides straightforward, and clear progression into regular racing activities.”  

“The YSG are keen to commend the hard work of the volunteers within the class who have worked hard to ensure that the criteria are met and offered a useful test of the revised policy,” he concluded.  

The YSG intend to publish the timeline for the consideration of any further applications for class recognition, as well as the process to review existing class recognition status’ in the near future.  

The RYA will now help support the class association in moving their training forward to provided more opportunities for junior sailing progression. 

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

Waveney & Oulton Broad SC  Race & Train Weekend

Saturday 10 July – Race training

Join RS Tera Coach Dan Alldis for a day of race training. 

Starts 10.30 am

Cost £10  

Everyone welcome.

For further information visit Club website. 

Sunday 11 July – Tera Open

Come and join us at Waveney & Oulton Broad YC for a day of Tera racing

Briefing 9.30 am, First race 10.20 am, 4 races. Entry £5  Prize giving at 4.30 pm  

For further information visit Club website