Topper sailors excel at the Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey

On Saturday 18th January, three Topper sailors Ollie Blackburn, Steph Wingeatt and Michael Platt headed to Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club, 1,000 feet above sea level in the Pennines to take part in the GJW Direct SailJuice Series 2013 Brass Monkey event. They were greeted to low cloud obscuring the reservoir, causing a 30 minutes delay.

The format of the competition was two handicap races, both to count. The fleet of over 80 boats included a 49er, RS800, 400s & 200s, Musto Skiffs, Contenders, Lasers, Solos, Scorpions, Enterprises, Mirrors and many others. The race officer set a figure of eight course with two beats, a broad reach and a long run. Due to the large numbers, the fleet was split into three flights with the Toppers in with the slower two-handed boats.

The first race started in a brisk and gusty south easterly, with a competitive start and the crowded mark roundings suited the Topper sailors - who were well used to the large fleet. The long, dead straight run also helped the Toppers as they could kite by the lee and manoeuvre to keep clear air.

The first race was won by the GP14 crewed by a Topper sailor, Sam Platt, with the 49er in second, an RS400 3rd and Ollie an excellent 5th in his Topper. Steph and Michael came a respectable 21st and 24th.

The race officer kept the same course for the second race and fleet got away cleanly in slightly less wind, but still enough to make hard hiking pay. The 49er claimed first place and first overall, but Ollie sailed the near perfect race to grab second and a fantastic second overall.

Steph came 18th and 19th overall, with Michael 37th and 29th overall. Sam crewing in the GP took 5th overall.

For the full results visit www.yorkshiredales.sc/index.php/racing/openresults/126-brass-monkey-2014