ITCA Topper National Series 1 at Draycote Water Sailing Club
by Kat Gunn 8 Oct 2023 06:21 BST
30 September - 1 October 2023
ITCA NS1, had a great turnout of just under 100 competitors sailing in the first event of the series. The forecast was for light to medium winds for the weekend, with an offshore warm breeze with highs of 20 degrees.
Topper Russ was on-site fixing boats, socialising and encouraging new members of the fleet. Topper sponsored the event, together with Rooster, Harken and Optimum Time, all much appreciated by the competitors.
The morning started off with a 10.30 competitors' brief with the wind looking under forecast and patchy. However, we launched on time with hopes of the wind picking up.
Once the competitors had made it to the race area, the course was laid and the wind had stabilised enough to get the racing started. The 4.2 fleet was the first away, then 5.3 yellow and blue flights on a port bias line. With bands of pressure on the right-hand side of the course and a slight left shift on the first leg, they then reached across to the outer loop where the wind was lighter due to the wind shadow of the club with a line of breeze on the left. The first to finish was Robert Hole (194), followed by Kat Gunn (235) and James Pipe (224).
On the inner loop were the white and red flights with winner Jasper Focardi Doling (189) taking advantage of the left shift and taking his first of many wins from the weekend, closely followed by Sam Dence (516) and Nicola Richards (577).
The wind remained light and flukey for the next two races, leaving Jasper Focardi Doling leading the 5.3s overnight with straight bullets, then were Kat Gunn and Jess Powell.
The 4.2 fleet was racing on the same course with a slightly closer windward mark. Toby Turner was leading overnight with two seconds and a third.
Day 2 started under forecast with a south-westerly wind that brought bigger longer, lasting shifts than the previous day. Race one went away pretty cleanly with a lighter-than-expected start. Before race two the wind did a large right shift causing a postponement and a relaying of the course. Finally, for race three the wind picked up with gusts of around 17 knots bringing Jasper Focardi Doling his final race win of the weekend.
Race winners on day two included Jasper Focardi Doling, Jessica Powell, Oscar Lay and Felix Harle. In the 4.2s races were dominated by Henry Cruse with three race wins.
Congratulations to Jasper and Henry and thanks to all the volunteers, Draycote for hosting such a great event and our class sponsors.
The next NS event will be down south in WPNSA on 2-3 March 2024 - should be a great event too!
Overall Results: (PDF format)