Rooster RS Tera National Championships 2024 at Thorpe Bay Yacht Club: A Premier Sailing Event
Rooster RS Tera National Championships 2024 at Thorpe Bay Yacht Club
18-20 August 2024
The 2024 RS Tera National Championships took place at Thorpe Bay Yacht Club from August 18th to 20th, featuring a fleet of 52 Pro competitors, 54 Sport competitors, and 16 sailors in the Train and Race Regatta fleet.
As summer conditions arrived, sunblock, hats, and sunglasses were essential gear for the sailors. The first day kicked off with the fleet launching into a steady 10-knot breeze coming from the West. Newly crowned Sport World Champion Rafe Bradley (Gurnard SC) seized victory, with Hannah Yates (Gurnard SC) taking second place and Laia Priestley (Ullswater YC) finishing third. In the Pro fleet, Mark Soars displayed his tactical expertise to win, followed closely by another World Champion, Will Stratton-Brown (Frensham Pond SC), with Harry Mitchell (King George SC) securing third after returning to the Tera for this event.
As racing progressed, shifting sea breezes and changing tides added challenges. However, Rafe Bradley maintained his momentum, clinching wins in the next two races with Harry Wilson (Filey SC) finishing second both times. Aggie Priestley (Ullswater YC) and Zac Carveth (Hayling Island SC) also earned third-place finishes. Mark Soars continued his winning streak in the Pro fleet, while Will Stratton-Brown secured second and third placements in the remaining races.
A barbecue was hosted by the club on Sunday evening, providing much-needed fuel for the sailors. The second day promised a challenging four-race schedule, launching into a building South Westerly wind. Rafe dominated the Sport fleet’s first race, followed closely by Hannah and Molly Wilson (Filey SC) in third. In the Pro fleet, the conditions caused some shifts in the leaderboard, with Cas Day (Gurnard SC) taking the first win of the day, followed by Luke and Will.
In the second race, a significant left shift was effectively navigated by Jasper Jenkinson (Gurnard SC), allowing him to take the win over Laia Priestley and Edward Knowles (Royal Lymington YC). Will Stratton-Brown claimed his first race victory of the event in the Pro fleet, followed by Cas and Ben Angel (Draycote Water SC). Wind conditions intensified for the third race, reaching 18-20 knots, causing some sailors to capsize and retire. The fourth race saw the wind soften slightly back to 12 knots, with Rafe and Hannah continuing their winning ways. Olivia MacAlister (Royal Lymington YC) and Jasper rounded out the top three in both races.
Will found his stride in the stronger breeze, winning both remaining Pro races of the day. Mark steadied himself with finishes of 3rd and 2nd, while Cas took second in the sixth race. Luke Rowlands secured two third places to keep his podium hopes alive.
The final day brought consistently strong winds averaging around 16 knots, with some variable holes. Rafe controlled the proceedings by winning the first two races, with Hannah consistently finishing second. Molly and Jasper earned third place finishes. Will, however, showcased his dominance again by winning every race on this day. Mark scored two second-place finishes, with Cas taking second in the last race.
With 122 boats competing from around the UK and ideal weather conditions, Thorpe Bay Yacht Club provided a memorable setting for the Championships. Rafe Bradley solidified his position by winning the National Championship title, complementing his Sport World title. Hannah Yates and Jasper Jenkinson represented Gurnard SC by securing the top three spots in the Sport fleet, with Hannah being the lead female sailor. In the Pro fleet, reigning World Champion Will Stratton-Brown took the win, followed by Mark Soars and Cas Day, ensuring a strong performance from Gurnard, who claimed the Nationals team trophy.
The U10s Champion, Harry Wilson, maintained the family legacy by winning the trophy after his sister Molly had held it for the past two years. With both Will and Rafe as previous winners, Harry is one to watch as he progresses in the sport.
The next generation of Tera sailors in the Train and Race Regatta fleet enjoyed coaching from UKRSTCA coaches, who guided them throughout the event, helping them significantly improve both on and off the water.
The UKRSTCA extends its gratitude to Thorpe Bay Yacht Club for their enthusiastic support in hosting such a remarkable event. From early arrivals on Friday to the prize-giving on Tuesday, everything ran smoothly thanks to the dedicated TBYC team, led by Mark Dell and Johnno Gillies, along with an army of volunteers. Commodore Adrian Bunting acknowledged the extensive support staff who managed various arrangements, from groundskeeping and campsite management to catering and parking. The Thorpe Bay safety team, led by UKRSTCA’s Safety Officer Paul Bew, ensured the participants were safe, even in challenging conditions.
A special thank you to our Class Sponsors, Rooster, as well as event sponsors Allen and RS Sailing, for providing a richly stocked prize table. The generosity of our sponsors also contributed to a table full of raffle prizes, raising hundreds for our chosen charity, the RNLI, with gratitude directed toward both Burnham on Crouch and Southend stations.
Full results can be found at halsail-1e484.kxcdn.com/Result/Public/82420.
We are thankful to Nick Alston of NWA Photography for his remarkable images captured during the event, which were made available to competitors and families at no charge. Nick’s pictures, along with others from the event, can be viewed on the UKRSTCA gallery at rstera.smugmug.com/RS-Tera-Nationals-Thorpe-Bay-2024.
Looking ahead, the next event for the UK RS Tera fleet is the Rooster End of Season Championships 2024 at Draycote Water Sailing Club in late October. Meanwhile, regional events across the UK will keep sailors engaged on the water. For all RS Tera-related activities in the UK, visit the UK RS Tera Class Association website at www.rstera.org.uk.
Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.