Crewsaver UK Topper Nationals at Pwllheli Sailing Club - Update
by Emma Stanbury 6 Aug 2014 15:03 BST
3-7 August 2014
Toppers launch for the Crewsaver UK Nationals at Pwllheli © Pwllheli Sailing Club
Toppers started their Championship stage of the Crewsaver GBR Nationals at Pwllheli Sailing Club today after two days of qualifying races that provided conditions ranging from an almost flat calm to a moderate swell with gusts of over 20 knots.
Sailors in the 4.2 fleet are competing for honours in the Virtual Rigger Summer Championship, which has seen the girls holding the top 5 spots after the two days of racing.
The Regatta fleet was the first fleet afloat this week and the sailors are enjoying a mixture of coaching and development activities as well as some great racing each day.
The Llyn Peninsula is an excellent backdrop with the mountains of Snowdonia around the bay and many parents are enjoying the sweeping sands of Glanydon Beach which allows the entire fleet of 260 boats to launch together in a spectacular sight for families and tourists.
As the leading RYA Pathway Class contributing sailors to the development programme for TeamGBR, the sailors were visited today by Carla Stanley, Chair of the Youth Steering Group and Tim Hall, Single Handed Pathway Manager.
Local Pwllheli chandlery and Crewsaver retailer, Firmhelm has been assisting the fleet with race spares and personal kit to keep everyone afloat. Parents have been helping on the shore to fix the occasional boats that have returned ashore and there have been no retirements with breakages.
Pwllheli Sailing Club provides an exceptional standard of support to Topper events, ashore and afloat and the Class is looking forward to the completion of the building works to create the new Welsh National Sailing Academy and Events Centre.
On Friday, the Toppers are taking a Topper to the top of Snowdon ! Volunteers are meeting at the Topper Race Office at 9am; come and join us. Supporters can take the train, bring the cake and meet the team at the top.
Crewsaver Topper 5.3 Nationals Gold fleet:
1. Alexander Hughes
2. Bella Fellows (F)
3. Jack Butters
Crewsaver Topper 5.3 Nationals Silver Fleet:
1. Ewan Gribbin
2. Krishan Bhogal
3. Loghlen Rickard
Crewsaver Topper 5.3 Nationals Bronze Fleet:
1. Molly Nixon (F)
2. Conor Lamb
3. Lucy Knights (F)
Virtual Rigger 4.2 Summer Championships:
1. Jenna McCarlie (F)
2. Coco Barrett (F)
3. Rachael McCluskey (F)
Provisional race results and event news will be shared through Twitter and the ITCA (GBR) Facebook page throughout the week.