Magic Marine Topper Inlands at Grafham Water Sailing Club
by Miles Palmer 12 May 2008 13:33 BST
3-4 May 2008
The Magic Marine Topper Inland Championships is one of the largest inland events with 255 Toppers and yet provides a friendly and inclusive introduction to big fleet sailing. With approximately 25% of the fleet at their first Inlands the conditions were ideal with a SE breeze ranging between 10 and 15knts.
The fleet was split into four flights with the intention of each flight sailing against each other twice, 6 races in total over two days of the May bank holiday weekend. PRO John Smalley set a half mile beat and a course that prescribed 2 beats with the 2nd being on either the outer-loop or in the inner-loop of a trapezoid course depending on whether you were in the first or second start.
Race one saw Elliot Hansen establish an early and unassailable lead in the first pair of flights, from Jordan Taylor and Tom Francis. In the second pair of flights Felicity Foulds showed the boys which way to go taking the bullet, from Richard Cumpsty and Michael Beckett. After a short break ashore racing proceeded with Tom leading the outer-loop fleet only to undertake an unexpected extra beat. Anna Ackroyd and will Glover spotted the mistake to take 1st and 2nd, however, the rest of the fleet followed Tom and in the end Lorenzo Chiavarini took third. The Inner loop flights were much more sensible Elliot again leading the way with Fergus Barnham and Oliver Wright 2nd and 3rd. The final race of Saturday with a little more breeze saw Richard take the Bullet with Hugh Brayshaw and Dan Bigsby following. Elliot took a clean sweep of bullets winning the third race, being followed by Andrew Dawson and Nathan Batchelor.
Sunday dawned with a very light SE breeze which built to about 8knts by the time set afloat for three back to back races. Race 4 got away cleanly for the first pair of flights and was won by Felicity, with Ian Millar second and Richard third. The second pair of flights pushed the line a little too hard and so with a black flag flying and after a line adjustment their finally got away, only for Elliot to stamp his mark on the trophy taking another bullet, with Hugh second and Joanna Lucus third. With the wind dropping slightly the fifth race was won by Andrew forcing Elliot into an unfamiliar second and Richard third. The second group was won by Ian with Richard Thomas second and Michael King third. The final race started in a rapidly fading breeze, with the race part run and following a number of 90 degree shift PRO John decided to put an end to proceedings and the fleet returned to shore.
Whilst the main fleet sailed around a massive course the regatta fleet managed to get 9 races completed, sailing under ISAF introductory rules of sailing, Harry Cunnison won, with Mark Thomas second and Anastasia Logan third.
Miles Palmer, Chairman of the Toppers thanked Grafham and Hillary Talbot for a wonderful event and Magic Marine for sponsoring the event and providing some wonderful prizes. A number of spot prizes were given as well as the top 40 sailors and the winner receiving a new Magic Marine adjustable hikers Elliot Hansen won the event with 4 firsts and discarding his second a rare occurrence in big fleet sailing, he thanked all those who organised the event and the sailors for making it such and enjoyable event.