ITCA GBR Topper Winter Regatta at the WPNSA
by Jeanette Sanderson 14 Feb 2015 06:02 GMT
7-8 February 2015
ITCA GBR Topper Winter Regatta at the WPNSA © Paul Jessup
Toppers turn up the heat at Winter Regatta
Over 160 sailors braved sub-zero temperatures at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) to participate in last weekend's ITCA GBR Topper Winter Regatta sponsored by Magic Marine. Despite the considerable wind-chill and strong winds particularly on the Saturday there was some highly competitive sailing in both the 5.3 and 4.2 fleets with sailors demonstrating some impressive early season racing.
In the 5.3 fleet, competition for line honours was particularly fierce with Ewan Gribbin of Paignton Sailing Club and Niamh Harper of Loch Tummel Sailing Club both winning 3 races each – with Ewan Gribbin taking the overall win by the narrowest of margins.
Meanwhile, on the 4.2 Topper course some 21 boats helmed by sailors from 10 to 13 years of age sailed a series of five highly competitive races with battles for position going on up and down the fleet. Sailors were particularly pleased with their prizes which included warm hats and thermal socks generously donated by 4.2 sponsors Sailing Solutions and Magic Marine.
The Topper class would like to thank the staff of WPNSA for their hard work and hospitality over the weekend; the event, race and safety management teams and all those on shore volunteers who helped make the event such a success; and, last but not least, our event sponsors Magic Marine for their generous support.
Overall Results:
5.3 Fleet (top ten)
1 Ewan GRIBBIN (Paignton Sailing Club)
2 Niamh HARPER (Loch Tummel Sailing Club)
3 Dylan WALENDY-WRIGLEY (Harwich Town Sailing Club)
4 Victoria COWAN (Portchester Sailing Club)
5 Joseph DRAKE (Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club)
6 Piers LUXFORD (Royal Harwich Yacht Club & NBYC)
7 David ROSIE (Helensburgh Sailing Club)
8 James HOLLIS (Bartley Green)
9 Elliott KUZYK (Parkstone Yacht Club)
10 Samuel COOPER West (Lancashire Yacht Club)
4.2 Fleet (top three)
1 Sam JONES (Hill Head Sailing Club)
2 Coco BARRETT (Desborough Sailing Club & Queen Mary Sailing Club)
3 Toby PEARCE (Horning Sailing Club)