RS Tera and Topper Open Race – A successful event at the RHYC

by Laurie Vanner on 12 May 2015 RS Tera and Topper Open Race – Another excellent weekend of sailing at the RHYC saw 17 Teras, a fast single handed dinghy much favoured by younger sailors, turning up on Sunday to have a coaching day before the main racing event on Monday. This was part of the Club's initiative to drive a growing interest in sailing at all levels.

Brisk winds and plenty of rain started the day but failed to dampen enthusiasm and as things improved parents were able to view progress from the clubhouse lawn. On Monday, the Club hosted a Topper and Tera open race with a total of 41 boats competing and representing a number of local sailing clubs. The starts for all the fleets were very competitive and racing remained tight throughout, there being a great tussle between many of the competitors.

In the Tera Pro fleet Lucy Greenwood, Tim Hire and William Caiger battled for the lead with Tim and William achieving two wins each. However, the consistency of Lucy with three seconds secured the top spot. First Lucy Greenwood, second Tim Hire and third William Caiger

In the Tera Sport fleet, the battle was between Matt Taylor, Jack Oakley and Blake Tudor and Matt with two good wins secured the top spot. First Matt Taylor, second Jack Oakley and third Blake Tudor

Young James Ashley secured the glassware for the 4.2 Topper and the battle for the main fleet was between Ollie Dixon, Joseph Drake and Piers Luxford, Ollie with two wins came out on top first Ollie Dixon second Joseph Drake third Piers Luxford. A special mention for our oldest competitor who is not far from that ripe old age of 60, Graham Ireland, who took all the gentle ribbing from club members in good spirit and finished a creditable fifth, the comment from Graham was that he needed a real blow. The Race officer managed to fit in four races giving everyone a chance to discard their lowest placing.