RS Tera SW Traveller Series at Whitefriars Sailing Club

RS Tera SW Traveller Series at Whitefriars © Peter Solly

For the second year in a row Whitefriars SC in the Cotswold Water Park hosted the first round of the RS Tera South West Traveller Series. Only in its second year, the series is gaining in popularity with the turnout of 24 boats on Saturday 17th May for the event at Whitefriars being more than double that of the previous year.

Visitors came from a mix of eight coastal and inland clubs with one sailor travelling from as far afield as Fowey in Cornwall. Experience levels ranged from the current RS Tera Start of Season Champion to those competing in their first open event.

As the fleet prepared for racing the cloudy morning skies began to clear and whilst sunshine levels rose, the windspeed did the opposite. The combination of a light and shifty wind blowing from the NE, and frequent lulls meant that racing began in challenging conditions. Race Officer Chris Hargreaves opted for a triangular course for the first race but the shifting wind direction meant that the upwind leg had all but vanished by the end of the race.

The course was re-set and the remaining three races took place on a figure of eight course.

RS Tera SW Traveller Series at Whitefriars - photo © Peter Solly

With conditions as they were, good wind awareness and the ability to maintain forward momentum in the lulls were key to success for the fleet of eight Pro and sixteen Sport sails. Conditions therefore favoured sailors from the inland clubs, with Hari Clark (Draycote SC) and Luke Keighley (Avon SC) scoring wins in the first two races.

Following a jacket potato and salad lunch prepared by an extremely hard-working galley team, the fleet re-launched to complete the final two races of the day. Thankfully although still shifty, the light breeze held for the afternoon with Hari Clark continuing his good form to win the final two races of the day and the event overall.

Luke Keighley finished in second place overall, with Amy Heyburn from the host club following in third. Spot prizes were also awarded to Sam Akehurst (Whitefriars SC), James Fletcher (Bowmoor SC), and Arabella Broughton (Chew SC) for demonstrating excellent sportsmanship.

RS Tera SW Traveller Series at Whitefriars - photo © Peter Solly

Reflecting on the day local sailor Amy Heyburn (aged 11) wrote:

"I went to this event last year as one of my first opens and I enjoyed it so much that I took part again this year. The organisers have definitely taken it a step up this year because there were so many more boats and that makes for great racing for everyone.

"There was some very close racing at the top of the fleet. For those racing in their first ever open, the conditions were extremely challenging since the wind was shifting about every second and quite often there was basically none of it anyway.

"Thank you to everyone who helped make the event so good, and to the sailors and families for travelling. I've really enjoyed visiting other clubs recently so it was great to be able to welcome so many sailors to Whitefriars."

RS Tera SW Traveller Series at Whitefriars - photo © Peter Solly

The series now moves on to Chew Valley SC on Saturday 7th June. Please visit webcollect.org.uk/cvlsc/event/rs-tera-open-meeting-2025 to enter and www.rstera.org.uk/southwesttraveller2025 for full details of the rest of the series.

Overall Results: