FRENSHAM Pond sailor Jake Thompson took gold at the RS Tera World Championships in Brittany and clubmate Tom Ahlheid was also on the podium.

Over 100 junior sailors from seven nations converged on Yacht Club Carnac in Southern Brittany for 11 races of a scheduled 15-race series over five days in the 2017 championships for these one-person monohull dinghies.

This was the second time the RS Tera Worlds had been held at the Yacht Club de Carnac in Quiberon Bay, a popular destination for many of the RS classes.

There were varying conditions throughout the week. The first day saw an oscillating 6-10 knots of breeze and a great start for the Weydon schoolboys. Jake, who turned 13 during the regatta, and Tom 12,, scored first and second respectively in race one.

The sailors launched with little more than 5 knots of wind on the second day, although it gradually filled to 7-10 knots, shifting as much as 15 degrees left and right of the average direction as the pressure lulled and gusted.

On day three, the sailors were greeted with brilliant sunshine and 12-14 knots of wind, with waves up to 1.7 metres.

The fourth day was the breeziest – an average speed of over 18 knots and gusts in excess of 25.

By day five, just one point separated Jake Thompson from fellow GBR sailor Phoebe Peters. After waiting out on the course for any sign of breeze, racing was abandoned for the day. Jake dived from his coach boat in celebration and applause and cheering could be heard across the water.

On the podium, alongside Phoebe (silver) and Tom (bronze), Jake thanked the race officer and race committee, the GBR coaches, the RS Class and organisers and the other competitors, as well as his sponsors, Sport Haslemere and MPI Brokers Travel, Ski and Sailing Insurance.

The 2018 RS Tera World Championships will be held at the world-class Olympic venue at Weymouth from August 4-10. This will be part of the mass 2018 RS Games 25th anniversary bonanza event. There will be championships for all RS Classes throughout August.