Topper Nationals at Paignton Sailing Club - Days 3 & 4

by Andy Billowes 7 Aug 2008 20:53 BST 3-8 August 2008

Tuesday 5th August

The third day of the Magic Marine Topper Nationals forms the half way mark with the conclusion of the qualification series when the competitors are separated into Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets; so an important day for many sailors. The English Riviera managed to deliver yet another grey and blustery day with showers and drizzle. The wind remained in the South West, blowing force four to five on the race course off of Roundham Head into Tor Bay.

Again the sailors were assigned into one of three coloured fleets. In the blue fleet Elliot Hanson dominated again with three straight wins. In the first race of the day, qualification race six, Philip Doran was second and Nathan Ackroyd third. Hugh Brayshaw and Philip Doran were second and third in qualification race seven. In the final qualification race Douglas Lloyd Haynes was second and Hugh Brayshaw third.

In the yellow fleet the racing was more open with Jack Wetherell winning qualification race six flowed by George Spedding and Jordan Rumsby. Jonathan Olin took the honours in race seven with Tom Steavenson second and Jordan Rumsby being the most consistent at the top of the fleet taking another second. The final race was won by George Spedding having overcome earlier problems. Jordan Rumsby went one better taking second and Fergus Barnham was third.

In the blue fleet Andrew Dawson won qualification race six followed by Lorenzo Chiavarini and Jonathan Hewat. In race two Jonathan Hewat improved to take the win followed by Richard Cumpsty and the previous winner Andrew Dawson in third. In the final race Andrew Dawson got back to his winning ways with Michael Beckett second and Lorenzo Chiavarini third.

After three days of racing the top five are 1st Elliot Hanson (6 pts), 2nd Lorenzo Chiavarini (12pts), 3rd Hugh Brayshaw (14 pts), 4th Jordan Rumsby (16 pts) and fifth Richard Cumpsty (17 pts). First lady is Felicity Foulds in 10th place (27 pts).

Wednesday 6th August

Day four of the Magic Marine Topper Nationals, with the qualification series complete the serious racing starts for the Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets. Paignton finally managed to produce some sunshine that was welcomed by sailors and their supporters. With a light unsettled breeze the decision was taken to postpone for two hour. The Gold fleet launched first and sailed to the racing area where they found a Southerly but variable breeze of force three to four.

The shifty conditions meant that the racing didn’t follow the form book. Also with the heightened competition there were a number of general recalls with the black flag resulting in a number of disqualifications.

In the Gold fleet Felicity Foulds took the first win in the final series with Lorenzo Chiavarini second, Sam Knight third and Joe Hanson (fourth) beating his younger brother into fifth place. Race two was won by Jonathan Hewat, followed by Fergus Barnham in second, Lucy Jackson third, Alexander Alcock fourth and Elliot Hanson having to settle for a second fifth. The final race was affected by a big shift that disadvantaged many of the leaders. Felicity Foulds made the most of the opportunity to take her second win for the day. Alexander Alcock was second, Adam Millington third and Anna Ackroyd and Jordan Rumsby fourth and fifth respectively. If the final two days of racing are as unpredictable as today then the Topper National Championship could go down to the wire.

After the first day of the final series Elliot Hanson managed to hold onto first place (17 pts) with Felicity Foulds, after a really good day, moving up to second (36 pts); 3rd Lorenzo Chiavarini (43 pts), 4th Alexander Alcock (49 pts) and 5th Hugh Brayshaw (51 pts).

The silver fleet was even more unpredictable, with no sailor able to dominate. In the first race Ashley Greenall took the win followed by Helen Armstrong and Anisha Walkerley. The second race was won by Charlotte Fenn with Georgina Povall second and Emily Robertson third. In the last race of the day Karen Thomas took the win followed by George Meredith and Emily Robertson taking a second third. Hannah Chambers finished the day in the overall lead followed by Sara Jackson.

In the Bronze fleet the races were won by Samantha Foster, Ellie Cumpsty and Will Street. Thomas Williams also did well with a second and third. Giles Kuzyh finished the day in overall lead.

So a great day for the girls in the Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets.

There is also a Regatta fleet of 33 at Paignton providing a mix of fun and racing for novice Topper sailors. With eight races completed Mark Thomas holds the overall lead with five firsts. Three points behind is Dan Venables who has had two firsts and Steven Muller is third. First girl is Laura Bromige from Paignton Sailing Club.