Crewsaver Topper Winter Regatta at the WPNSA

Crewsaver Topper Winter Regatta at the WPNSA © Adam McElroy

160 Topper's entered for the 2014 Crewsaver Winter Regatta at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy. As well as National Squad members and regular National Series racers, an impressive number of new competitors registered for their first large fleet event.

For the first time, scores are being recorded in the National Series for: overall positions, male, female & youths (u21)

After the long winter break, competitors were keen to get back onto the race course and threw themselves into the first race.

The wind speed and sea state presented challenging conditions on both days of this 6 race regatta and many sailors chose to reef their 5.3 sails or compete on the more controllable 4.2.

The strong north easterly breeze and waves tested the boats and helms to their limits - only two sailors failed to complete their first race but as the day progressed there was a growing stream into Weymouth Sail Sports for repairs.

Wind chill took its toll on even the best prepared of racers and the RIB crews were kept fully occupied around the three beat course.

Three races were completed on Saturday and the WPNSA galley did a roaring trade in curries to warm up competitors and parents after packing up in the dinghy park

Sunday was equally breezy and more sails were reefed in the dinghy park, with plans to shake them out on the water if possible.

The fleet left the beach in flights & with a RIB escort to safely clear the harbour mouth, before heading for the race area where racing started promptly on a two beat course.

Unfortunately with wind speeds consistently gusting over 27 knots, the fleet had to return to shore after completing their first when the wind failed to drop as expected.

All competitors impressed the race team with their enthusiasm, commitment and sportsmanship.

The next event in the Topper CraftInsure National Series will be at Queen Mary Sailing Club, 5/6th April 2014.

For more details please see the GBR Topper website.

We hope you will join us at QMSC for another fantastic weekend's Topper racing.

Overall Results:

ICOM Trophy – Calum Rosie
2nd overall – Jack Butters
3rd overall – Tom Smith
4th overall – Tom Wallwork
5th overall – Lucy Mearns
6th overall – Georgie McKenzie
7th overall – Daniel Taylor
8th overall – Anna Sturrock
9th overall – Alexander Hughes
10th overall – Ciaran Randeria
11th overall – Callum Elwin
12th overall – Oliver Blackburn
13th overall – Bella Fellows
14th overall – Lewis Humpries
15th overall – William Cook

1st Youth – Lucy Mearns
2nd Youth - Daniel Taylor
3rd Youth – Alexander Clark

1st Male – Calum Rosie
2nd Male – Jack Butters
3rd Male – Tom Smith

1st Female – Lucy Means
2nd Female – Georgie McKenzie
3rd Female – Anna Sturrock

1st 13yrs or under – Freya Cumpsty
2nd 13yrs or under – Eleanor Poole
3rd 13yrs or under – Arabella Sabberton

Endeavour Award – Eleanor Elder