Topper Open at Salcombe Yacht Club
by George Alexander 16 Jun 2015 13:09 BST
13-14 June 2015
On Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June Salcombe Yacht Club hosted a Topper Open Weekend. Over 25 Toppers from around the West Country travelled to compete in the idyllic harbour of Salcombe.
The local sailors noticed some familiar competitors along with the winner of last year's event who was also competing this year as well. Saturday saw testing conditions for both pros and beginners with wind gusting from 15 to 25 knots.
To add to the challenge the tide was against the wind causing some choppiness in the morning. The race officer set an interesting triangular course up towards Blackstone and Mill Bay. All the racers enjoyed the day very much and later in the evening got together for a friendly social get-together at the Clubhouse.
Sunday saw much lighter winds giving the younger sailors an advantage. The tide was strong and because of lack of familiarity with Salcombe and its conditions, some of the best sailors in the country ended up in the middle of the tide and took a while to get off the start line!
The first course saw all sailors roll-tacking up to Mill Bay and down to X (an inflatable mark) twice. The competitors in the second race experienced even lighter winds but thankfully a breeze started filling in from the sea giving them some wind to just make headway! However by then the tide was very strong and caused some people to start drifting backwards. Many just made it round the marks, sometimes with inches to spare!
After an interesting and tiring weekend of sailing all of the racers grouped together at Batson and were awarded the prizes.
Special thanks to the race officers Nigel Blazeby, Jane Morris and Chris Spencer-Chapman and the parents and helpers who gave up their time to support on the water, in the watch house and ashore. It was a great weekend for all competitors and spectators!
Overall Results: (top three)
1st 470128, Ewan Gribbin
2nd 46895, Luke Gribbin
3rd 46962, Kieran Moore
1st Local Boat: George Alexander
Best capsize: not sure but plenty of them :-)