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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:

PosHelmSail NoClubR1R2R3Pts
1Flip Foulds45718NBYC1113
2James Steckelmacher45924Hunts SC23510
3Tom Bucktrout45807Grafham72312
4Clive Jackson17501Papercourt310215
5Nick Adams44327Rickmansworth SC45615
6George Meredith45333Brancaster641020
7Graham Rivers44723Leight-on-Sea571224
8Alexander Alcock45857Hunts SC106824
9George Povall46308Hickling Broad SC99927
10Rhenna Pavey45796Stour SC1111729
11Ed Roberty36631NHEBSC1281535
12Andrew Sayer44283Great Moor SC1716437
13Mat Brushwood45362Emberton Park 8181339
14Annabel Cattermole46352BLYM15131139
15Luke Whyburd46186Dabchicks20141448
16Ben Mackley35197Grafham13171949
17Jon Hand40127Stewartby18191754
18William Massey43054RBYC19152155
19Ashley Greenall46306Fairlands14222056
20Thomas Scott34393Birghtlingsea SC30121658
21Steve Boxall27419Stewartby21201859
22Dee Osmond46281BLYM16212764
23Rhiannon Massey46109Royal Burnham YC22232267
24Karen Barton42685BLYM24242371
25Hannah Taylor46280BLYM25272577
26Rosie Povall44343Hickling Broad SC27262679
27Sami Ikibiroglu44710BLYM26253081
28Dru Chetwynd45118BLYM29282481
29Harry Ikibiroglu45125BLYM28292986
30Tim Mackley35197-21Grafham23333389
31Cian Haran44708BLYM31302889

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