Two intrepid Weta sailors braved the February temperatures along with 100+ dinghies covering a huge range of classes and configurations that made up the fleet taking part in the 2025 Tiger Trophy, hosted by Rutland Water Sailing club.
Saturday
Saturday morning dawned with a mist covering the lake and very little breeze. The forecast 8-16 knots appeared to have simply stayed away.
Despite this the boat park was a hive of activity as people arrived, rigging was done and catching up with friends from other clubs meant the lack of wind was overlooked, but not unnoticed.
By the time the scheduled briefing had finished the mist had lifted and a light breeze had filled in. It certainly wasn’t Weta weather but it wasn’t a compete drifter either. With three back to back races to run there was always a chance the breeze might build.
The PY split for the fast and slow handicap fleets was at 1000, meaning the Weta with a PY of 960 was going to be one of the slower boats in the fast handicap fleet, but if the wind decides to show up, it could turn the tables faster than you can say "sailboat shenanigans!"
Race 1
With all those boats at the start, the key was definitely finding some clear air. I'm sure that was the game plan for everyone—some nailed it, others didn't. I was in the latter group.
Having decided the pin end of the line was worth a shot that was the focus as the countdown began. I wasn’t the only one thinking that and a number of other boats had also headed that way.
It was such a shame that just prior to the start the wind shifted to the right giving all those at the Committee boat end a nice little advantage, and it was always going to be difficult to get the Weta going without any definitive open lane down to leeward, and a whole lot of disturbed air coming from windward.
Colin B in his first event in the Weta got a better start to windward and was doing well on the first beat to Mark 1.
During the race, the breeze was pretty chill, only around 6-8 knots with a few gusts here and there, but nothing too thrilling. After doing three laps and having a fun little back-and-forth with a non-foiling Moth, an RS500, and a Melges15, it felt great to finish and dust off the cobwebs since I hadn't sailed since October.
Race 2
The breeze picked up, and my start positioning was fantastic! I got the boat moving more smoothly and was right there with the mid-fleet bunch at the top mark. Although finding good lanes downwind was a challenge, there were definitely some small gains to be made, despite the disturbed air from nearby competitors.
Race two was another three lap race and with a couple of nice reaches and with the occasional gust (if they could be called that?) allowing the Weta to claim back some lost ground, or at least stay even with the symmetrical boats heading straight down the course with better VMG.
Race 3
That slight increase in breeze for race two had now backed off a bit again as the day was drawing to a close. The quicker boats in the 50ish boat fast handicap fleet got away again from the start. Once again there was a nice mix of boats battling each other towards the rear - Melges15, RS400, RS500, RS21 keel boats, a Fireball, a low rider moth, and the Weta. Once finished it was get back to the club house before darkness fell for the night.
At the end of Saturdays racing results for the two Weta taking part were about as expected given the conditions -
Steve H 79th Overall - 79 75 (84)
Colin B 97th Overall - 97 (99) 92
Sunday
Tiger Trophy Pursuit (120mins)
With an 1100hrs Datum for the first start of the pursuit and subsequent starts every minute after that, we really needed the weather give the Weta some breeze to play with as our start was 36 minutes later, meaning we had 84 minutes to catch the leaders, where ever they may be on the course….
We woke up to a morning so brisk it would have been easier to simply hide back under the duvet, but the skies were clearer than my conscience after eating the last cookie in the cupbaord. The lake had some ripples, but honestly, it looked about as promising as my attempts at cooking a Michelin level meal. However, as if by some breakfast sorcery, after devouring bacon sandwiches from the club galley and wrapping up the pre-race briefing, things took a turn for the better. Suddenly, a breeze decided to show up, strong enough to make us consider actually sitting out on the float instead of just lounging on the tramp or pretending to be a sail ornament.
The RO set an exciting course that spanned a large portion of the lake, which was fantastic! With the available wind direction there were possibly some exhilarating three-sail legs in store to put a grin on our faces.
Is today the day the Weta shows its stuff and climbs up in the overall rankings? Both Weta took off from the beach around 11:15 AM for a quick sail across the lake to the starting point, getting prepped to join the other boats with the same start time.
At 1136hrs we started and the chase was on. Those that got away between 1100-1120 had a beneficial wind shift that saw them port tack straight to the top mark for the first time giving them an extra few minutes jump on the following boats who now needed to tack up there after the wind shifted back.
However, once around that top mark extra sail power was deployed and with some decent gusts now blowing across the course the Weta lit up and quickly reached mark two in front of the clubhouse having snatched a few early positions back on the first two legs.
At this point the course shifted slightly deeper but still sailable with the gennaker and still better than a dead run.
The run from Mark 3 to 4 proved a bit trickier and with such a range of boats there were any number of courses being sailed downwind, and the inevitable varied approaches to the bottom mark on the course. The aim here was to set yourself up with a good lane - come in on starboard for inside room and a tight gybe rounding, head down the middle and navigate the ‘crush’, or maybe come in wide on port but to leeward carrying more speed and try and sail around the carnage on the inside? So many options……
Once around Mark 4 at the bottom of the course there was an approximately 700-800 metre windward leg to Mark 5 before bearing off again to Mark 6 which was positioned just to windward of the start line, where you then commenced the next lap.
If the maths work out at 1300hrs everyone should be getting a bit bunched up as those who started later catch those early starters.
As it happened a couple of those early starters held off the chasing pack. Maybe the first leg wind shift helped them extend just that little bit extra before the chase started, and also they’re possibly very good sailors within their chosen classes and the two things combined meant they got well deserved podium places.
Colin B had now sampled his first race event in his Weta, sailing with a crew! Although he finished 96th, he left the water buzzing with excitement, eager to tinker with the boat and refine his technique for even better results next time!
Steve H maximised those reaching legs, snagging a few scalps right from the start and fiercely climbing his way up to an impressive 26th place by the time the two-hour siren blared! What an achievement, especially compared to the light wind results from the previous day!
What might have been if there had been decent breeze for both days?
That's the thrill of sailing! You embrace whatever weather comes your way—sometimes it's perfect 'Weta weather,' and other times it's not, but you always make the most of it!
We still came off the water smiling and that’s why the Weta is such a great boat!!
Overall results for the two Weta at the 2025 Tiger Trophy
Steve H 66th Overall - 79 75 (84) 26
Colin B 98th Overall - 97 (99) 92 96
Explore the UK Weta Class calendar on the class Facebook page, and we look forward to seeing you at several events this summer.
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