Topper Nationals at Paignton Sailing Club - Overall
by Andy Billowes 10 Aug 2008 10:28 BST
3-8 August 2008
Thursday 7th August
Thursday was another unsettled day with the wind expected to swing North Westerly, again racing was postponed until the breeze settled. After midday, and deciding to ignore the shipping forecast, the breeze settled as a light variable South Easterly.
In the first race of the day (Gold fleet final race four) Elliot Hanson got about defending his lead taking the win followed by Hugh Brayshaw in second and Harry Houlding third. Felicity Foulds kept her self in contention with a fourth, with Andrew Bridgman fifth. In the second race Felicity Foulds put the pressure back on with a first, Jordan Rumsby was second an Joe Hanson again pushing Elliot into fourth place, with Jason Robbins fifth.
The top of the silver fleet was more settled today' Kieran Hill taking two wins. Robbie Robinson was also impressive with a third and second, with Ian Payne second in the first race Robert Hooper third in the second race. The Bronze fleet races were won by Conor Noyes and Lucy Yates, Thomas Howard and Will Street taking seconds.
The bright morning gave way to prolonged rain in the afternoon that killed off the breeze, so the third race of the day had to be abandoned.
The Gold fleet the standing after 13 races is: 1st Elliot Hanson (13pts), 2nd Felicity Foulds (26pts), 3rd Jordan Rumsby (36pts), 4th Lorenzo Chiavarini (42pts) and 5th Hugh Brayshaw (53pts). With three races left to sail it doesn’t look as though Elliot can be caught.
The Regatta fleet completed their race series with Dan Venables taking two firsts and Stephen Muller taking two seconds. Dan Venables and overnight leader Mark Thomas were equal on points with Dan winning the Regatta fleet on count back.
Friday 8th August
The final day of the Magic Marine Topper National Championship, started bright with a light and variable North Westerly breeze. Despite the light conditions two races were completed and the sailors were able to enjoy some sunshine. However, with the sailors pushing to do well on the last day many were black flagged.
Having incurred a hand injury Elliot Hanson, no doubt confident that he couldn’t be caught, retired from the first race in the Gold fleet. Lorenzo Chiavarini took advantage to take his fourth win of the championship. Richard Cumpsty was second with Jonathan Olin third, Alex Leonard fourth and Harry Houlding fifth.
In the final Gold fleet race Felicity Foulds took her seventh win of the championship. Throughout the final series of races she had been the most consistent winning four of the seven races. Lorenzo Chiavarini finished off a good day with a second and was followed home by Christopher Eames in third, Mark Billowes fourth and Philippa Gray fifth.
In the first Silver fleet race Kieran Hill continued his winning run from yesterday with a third straight win. Robbie Robinson was second and Anisha Walkerley third. In the final race Robbie Robbinson went one better with a first followed by Matt Venables and Helen Armstrong. The Bronze fleet races were won by Samantha Foster and Giles Kuzyk, Robin Shellcock and Lucy Yates were second. With the breeze faultering the fleets returned to the shore.
At the start of the prize giving Charles Glover thank onbehalf of ITCA(GBR) all those that had contributed to the success of the championship, in particular the sponsors and to all of the volunteers at Paignton Sailing Club who had been great hosts. Of particular note were Ken Falcon the race officer who had managed the racing to complete 15 out of the scheduled 16 races. Ken was also pleased to announce, in good humour, the breaking his own record with 58 competitors black flagged in one day. Charles Glover also gave special awards to Miles Palmer, the retiring ITCA(GBR) chairman and to Ian Cox who is stepping down as the ITCA(GBR) measurer after 14 years of service. In reply the Commodore of Paington Sailing Club, Roger Gater reflected that in the nine years since the last Nationals at Paington the Topper fleet had grown from 175 to 309. He went on to thank the competitors and their supporters for being great guests and for making the club’s task of hosting the event so enjoyable. Roger Gater presented the prizes. The Topper National Champion for 2008 is Elliot Hanson who completes a hat trick of the major championships having won the Topper Inlands and Worlds.
