RS Tera Northern Championship at Isle of Man Yacht Club

New Champions

The RS Tera Northern Championship and Isle of Man Open, sponsored by Appleby Global, has two new champions with local sailors Ffinlo Wright (13) and Ben Batchelor (11) of the Isle of Man Yacht Club taking the prizes.

In the RS Tera Pro class Ffinlo Wright, who has been getting close for some time, with a fine series in the six races (with one discard) finishing with all straight wins. However it wasn't straightforward for fellow Manx Youth sailing Squad member fought all the way, eventually finishing on 11pts. Whilst the battle for third was between Tony Pitts (IOMYC) and Angus Smith (Rydal Penrhos School) with Angus eventually taking it with 14pts.

In the Sport Class reigning Northern Champion Ana Paterson (Ripon SC) was defending her title against eighteen other young sailors and she got off to to good opening series with a 5, 1 and 1 but local sailor Ben Batchelor (IOMYC) showed his prowess with a win, third and second. For the rest there was a mix of results with Patrick Cope, Alastair Joyce taking seconds and Matthew Perry and Thomas Bale picking up thirds. There had been a mix of sailing conditions with gentle winds turning gusty and eventually falling away to light airs. However Sunday was forecast to be much windier with a bit of a sea running.

The met men got it wrong! Whilst the seas was choppy the winds got lighter and lighter until the back markers in the sixth race had to give up over time. It didn't stop some excellent racing though. Unfortunately for Ana Paterson (Ripon SC) she beat the starter on the first race of the day and didn't return. However a second and a seventh was just enough to hold off a fast finishing Thomas Bale (Rydal Penrhos School) on a count back with both on 16points. Meanwhile Ben Batchelor, who performed creditably in national events and the World Championships, in 2012 was living the dream with three straight wins leaving him to finish on 6pts. Other creditable performances came from 4thplaced Matthew Perry (IOMYC) 17pts in his first Tera race; Patrick Cope (IOMYC) 5th; whilst 6th placed Alastair Joyce (Ogston SC) had the misfortune to capsize on the start line in the 5th race; clubmate Roscoe Martin sailed consistently to finish 7th. Many of the inexperienced racers showed great persistence.

In all a great weekend of sailing thoroughly enjoyed by all with special thanks to our sponsor Appleby Global and to the Isle of man Steam packet Co. Ltd. For their support; to the Isle of man yacht Club and its Commodore Phil Scott for the presentations and the excellent BBQ; to race officer Michael Kneale and all the helpers, not least the ladies for the food and the cakes. We look forward to seeing more competitors next year.

Full results can be found here.