Topper Open at Calshot Sailing Club
by Simon Audoire & Alan Boulton 30 Jul 2009 09:12 BST
25-26 July 2009
Topper Grand Prix at Calshot © Richard Brook
The Topper Grand Prix was a mini series of races which were held before the Topper open. This had a turnout of 6 juniors and 4 reasonably big adults all in Toppers.
From a competitors point of view this was extremely funny, some adults couldn’t even get to the windward mark (you know who you are!).
The Course was to launch and sail around a square the first back to the beach was the winner, not too hard you would think - but some adults found irons pretty good for going backwards.
From a spectators view (parents); "Watching the adults pitch-poling down the run and forgetting kickers upwind was highly entertaining. At times it didn't look like they were actually sailing, more like swimming!"
It was a great day and should be done again.
Topper Open Race Report
On Sunday 26th July Calshot Sailing Club hosted Round 9 of the Topper Open Southern Traveller Series. The event attracted some 28 competitors from all over the South including several members of the Topper National squad and one who had travelled overnight from Austria after competing in and gaining second place at the world Championships.
With blustery force 5 south-westerly wind over a confused sea, conditions were somewhat challenging for the youngsters resulting in some very exciting sailing and close racing. Throughout the day a full 3 race series was successfully completed with the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place taken by visitors Oliver Marshall, Mathew Hall & Tobias Homer.
With such an elite field it was always going to be difficult for the local Calshot juniors to shine through, but they didn’t disappoint, with Karen Thomas, Alan Boulton and Aiden Heathfield finishing 6th, 10th and 11th respectively.
Calshot Sailing Club would like to thank the following sponsors for their support in making the event possible; Exxon Mobile, Kings Volvo and Renegade Ribs.