Topper & Topaz Open at Leigh-on-Sea Sailing Club
by Graeme Sweeney 3 Jun 2006 12:10 BST
27-28 May 2006
Action from the Topper open at Leigh-on-Sea © Graeme Sweeney
Leigh SC held a slightly convoluted series of open meetings over the late May bank holiday weekend.
On the Saturday there was a Topper Area Traveller event, with some of the boats also racing Sunday to compete for overall weekend trophies. The Topaz’s had 5 races over the two days. Saturdays’ racing took place in a fairly steady force 3 westerly wind, race 1 & 2 wind against tide.
By race 3 the tide had turned, stretching out the beat. With the tide behind the fleet, the first start was a general recall, but with the introduction of the “I” flag, the remaining starts were clean. Matthew Johnson from Great Moor, and Tom Weatherhead from Grafham were not troubled by the rest of the fleet and took the first two places. Johnsons’ edge on upwind pointing giving the advantage. Parents Chris Johnson and Sue Weatherhead showed the other youngsters around with Matthew Rivers the first local boat home.
On the Sunday, there was more pressure in the wind, and 30 degree shifts to make it more interesting. Matthew Rivers’ Saturday points total was not enough to secure overall weekend victory, with first and second places going to his cousins; Michael and Chris Rivers.
In the Topaz class, Peter Hannah dominated in a borrowed boat, winning all 5 races.
Overall Results:
Toppers:
1st Matthew Johnson 44978 Great Moor
2nd Tom Weatherhead 45151 Grafham Water
3rd Chris Johnson 40004 Great Moor
4th Sue Weatherhead 45355 Grafham Water
5th Matthew Rivers 44413 LSC
Topper Weekend:
1st Michael Rivers 45372 LSC
2nd Chris Rivers 44251 LSC
3rd Matthew Rivers 44413 LSC
Topaz:
1st Peter Hannah 2243 Essex YC
2nd David Braun 3461 LSC
3rd Charlie Hannah 983 Essex YC