International Class Association

Write-up

RS TERA OPEN MEETING, RIPON SAILING CLUB

A magnificent fleet  of 33 boats took to the water for the Ripon SC RS Tera Open Meeting on 17 and 18 May.  With the weather at it’s best – blue skies, sunshine and a nice breeze – the sailors hit the water at 11am for 2 days of highly competitive racing.  The club was delighted to be able to support the fleet with two excellent Coaches – Rob Paterson and Craftinsure’s very own Katy Phillips.  They provided support to some very new to racing helms, but also provided each competitor with an ‘end of event’ report giving them tips as to how to improve.  The fleet showed their appreciation to Rob and Katy with a presentation at the end of the event.

In the expanding Pro fleet Alistair Scott took race 1, followed home by Peter Owen.  Ana Paterson paid the price for a missed mark to come 3^rd.  Race 2 saw Alistair and Peter swap places, but Alistair reclaimed top spot for race 3, with Ana in 2^nd.  Mark Donald was 3^rd.  The final race of Saturday saw Alistair once again cross the line first, with Ollie Blake in 2^nd and Peter in 3^rd.  The racing had been extremely competitive throughout the day and it was clear that the final 2 races, to be sailed the next day, would be crucial in deciding places throughout the fleet.

In the Sport fleet it was Harrison Pye who took the first race, followed home by Rosco Martin and Henry Rastrick who dead-heated for 2^nd place.  This result was, it turned out, to be crucial in deciding final places!  Rosco and Henry finished race 2 close together again but with enough of a gap to get separate results.  Race 3 saw Rosco again lead, but a capsize at the final mark took Henry down the pack.  Brother Jamie was there to claim 2^nd instead!  Fergus Pye headed home in 3^rd place.  The final race on Saturday saw Henry push Rosco down to 2^nd place, another good battle on the water and hails of well done between the two of them as they finished.  Harrison was 3^rd.

And so to Sunday.  An early start and more breeze welcomed the competitors.  Peter sailed a great race in the Pro fleet to take the bullet, with Alistair 2^nd and Mark 3^rd.  Those places changed yards from the line to keep the spectators on their toes!  With all to play for the final race saw Alistair and Ana cross the line within seconds of each other, in that order, giving Alistair the overall win.  Peter thought he was over the line at the start and went back, only to find it wasn’t him and to then struggle to catch back up, but his results gave him 2^nd overall.

In the Sport fleet it was Harrison who crossed the line first in race 5, followed home by Rosco and Henry.  The fleet and the spectators reckoned that the final winner would depend on the last race and a real battle ensued between Rosco and Henry with each overhauling the other throughout the race giving the spectators, by now including the main club racing fleet a really excellent demonstration of sailing.  Henry crossed the line first, with Rosco 2^nd – what a race they’d had, but who had won?  Well that’s where the dead heat from race 1 came into play – giving a half point advantage to Rosco over Henry. 

Results (full results are on the Ripon SC website – www.ripon-sc.org.uk)

Pro Fleet – 1^st Alistair Scott, RSC, 2^nd Peter Owen, DRSC, 3^rd (and 1^st Girl) Ana Paterson RSC, 4^th Ollie Blake DRSC

Sport Fleet – 1^st Rosco Martin OSC, 2^nd Henry Rastrick RSC, 3^rd Harrison Pye DWSC, 4^th Jamie Rastrick RSC,  1^st Girl Ellie Clark RSC

Photo credits Jennie Clark - Alistair Scott and Roscoe Martin being presented with their prizes by RSC Commodore Dennis Altoft.

Results