A local sailability sailor has placed at a recent sailing event, featuring able and disabled sailors from across the country.

Sailors from the shores of Rutland Water and much further afield met at Rutland Sailing Club for the event over the weekend, featuring sailors aged eight to 80 in a range of vessels.

Although various boats enjoyed their moment to shine at the Tiger Trophy, once again it was the unstoppable Sam Pascoe who powered his Musto Skiff single hander to overall victory at the seventh event of this season's wild and windy Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series at Rutland Sailing Club.

Over the first weekend in February, Rutland Sailing Club hosted the next leg of the winter series, placing itself at the heart of another blustery weekend in which sailors grappled to claim victory. 

Sailors competed at Rutland Sailing Club this weekend. Image credit: Tim Olin / Seldén (courtesy of Bill Stillman).

There were 106 entries from 41 different classes who showed up for two days of handicap competition.

There was a broad spectrum of boats for the event, ranging from Toppers to foiling Waszps and International Moths, and a Sailjuice first, the presence of three iQFOiL foiling windsurfers, the equipment about to make its Olympic debut later this summer at Paris 2024.

The 420s were the largest fleet with ten boats, making the Tiger a class designated event, and the chance for some of the country's top youth sailors to gain some valuable big fleet experience. 

The three-hulled Challengers had seven boats, seeing the welcome return of series regular Jack Alderdice who has had to sit out recent events due to ill health issues, but has enjoyed being able to follow previous events via the SailRacer GPS tracking. 

The SKUD of Jazz Turner and Adam Billany (Newhaven) also joined the other Sailability athletes - Rutland being a hub for sailability athletes from across the country. 

Sailability and disabled sailing is heavily supported by the Rutland club. Image credit: Nub News.

With VX One and RS21 sports boats also competing, the Tiger was one of the most diverse entries seen this winter, or in fact any time on the UK racing scene.

Youth entries made up a quarter of the entries, including six boats from local Oakham School. Ages ranged from nine to 80+, the youngest being Jessica Willars from Filey, sailing with dad Jon in the family Miracle, with the family team completing all four races in what were at times very challenging conditions.

 Sam Pascoe in a Musto Skiff has held onto his overnight lead to win the 2024 Tiger Trophy at Rutland Sailing Club. 

Val Millward Rutland Sailing Club finished in second place in the Ladies prize, and third in Seniors prize in her Challenger. Val is a Sailability sailor, so great result for her given the challenging conditions.