Topper Open at Bury Lake Young Mariners

by Craig Johnson 3 Jun 2008 08:00 BST 1 June 2008

Despite little wind, 31 Toppers descended on Bury Lake on Sunday 1st June for the annual day of fun we call a Topper Traveller Open Meeting. Given the forecast of 5 knots from the north and dropping during the day, racing got underway on time to make use of the wind before it disappeared.

Race 1 began cleanly and in a good 5 knot breeze. Shortly before the start however, the wind shifted left 25 degrees, making the start very port bias. Not wanting to waste time in a vanishing wind, the race officer went ahead anyway. The front of the fleet were fiercely competitive which James Steckelmacher from Hunts SC taking an early lead followed by Alexander Alcok and Clive Jackson. After much position changing, Flip foulds from NBYC came through to win followed by James and Clive respectively.

In a change to the published programme, race 2 begun immediately after race 1 to try to get a second race in before the breeze died. Unfortunately the first attempt at race 2 was a general recall which resulted in a black flag for the next start as the race committee desperately tried to get a second race in. Soon after the re-start however, the breeze vanished meaning that the fleet took 40 minutes to complete just 2 short laps. The very light wind made for few position changes during the race. The bullet was eventually taken by Flip Foulds followed by Tom BuckTrout, James Steckelmacher and George Meredith respectively.

After some lunch time swimming and playing the ‘how many people can you fit on a Topper’ game, the fleet made their way to the start line not expecting enough wind for 3rd race. Mother nature however proved everyone wrong and the final race started in 4 knots of breeze which increased to 5 or 6 knots during the race. Unfortunately the wind also shifted during the race destroying the beat (again!).

Flip Foulds put her final stamp of authority on the event by winning the final race having lead from the start and securing a perfect score line. Clive Jackson hung on to second for the whole race, but 3rd, 4th and 5th were all to play for. After much position jockeying, Tom Buckfoot finally pinched 3rd spot followed by Andrew Sayer and James Steckelmacher.

Overall Results:

Pos	Helm	Sail No	Club	R1	R2	R3	Pts
1	Flip Foulds	45718	NBYC	1	1	1	3
2	James Steckelmacher	45924	Hunts SC	2	3	5	10
3	Tom Bucktrout	45807	Grafham	7	2	3	12
4	Clive Jackson	17501	Papercourt	3	10	2	15
5	Nick Adams	44327	Rickmansworth SC	4	5	6	15
6	George Meredith	45333	Brancaster	6	4	10	20
7	Graham Rivers	44723	Leight-on-Sea	5	7	12	24
8	Alexander Alcock	45857	Hunts SC	10	6	8	24
9	George Povall	46308	Hickling Broad SC	9	9	9	27
10	Rhenna Pavey	45796	Stour SC	11	11	7	29
11	Ed Roberty	36631	NHEBSC	12	8	15	35
12	Andrew Sayer	44283	Great Moor SC	17	16	4	37
13	Mat Brushwood	45362	Emberton Park	8	18	13	39
14	Annabel Cattermole	46352	BLYM	15	13	11	39
15	Luke Whyburd	46186	Dabchicks	20	14	14	48
16	Ben Mackley	35197	Grafham	13	17	19	49
17	Jon Hand	40127	Stewartby	18	19	17	54
18	William Massey	43054	RBYC	19	15	21	55
19	Ashley Greenall	46306	Fairlands	14	22	20	56
20	Thomas Scott	34393	Birghtlingsea SC	30	12	16	58
21	Steve Boxall	27419	Stewartby	21	20	18	59
22	Dee Osmond	46281	BLYM	16	21	27	64
23	Rhiannon Massey	46109	Royal Burnham YC	22	23	22	67
24	Karen Barton	42685	BLYM	24	24	23	71
25	Hannah Taylor	46280	BLYM	25	27	25	77
26	Rosie Povall	44343	Hickling Broad SC	27	26	26	79
27	Sami Ikibiroglu	44710	BLYM	26	25	30	81
28	Dru Chetwynd	45118	BLYM	29	28	24	81
29	Harry Ikibiroglu	45125	BLYM	28	29	29	86
30	Tim Mackley	35197-21	Grafham	23	33	33	89
31	Cian Haran	44708	BLYM	31	30	28	89