Craftinsure Topper Series at Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club

Craftinsure Topper National Series at Derwent Reservoir © John Knapton

Craftinsure Topper National Series at Derwent Reservoir © John Knapton

195 Topper sailors travelled to the North East UK on the weekend of 5th/6th June for the 2nd in the 2010 Craftinsure Sponsored ITCA (GBR) Topper 5.3 National Series at Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club. The fleet started to arrive from across the UK on Friday evening and the newly named ITCA (International Topper Camping Association – nice one Ian!) was developing in the Derwent camping field within the club grounds – a huge gathering of tents, touring caravans and motorhomes ensured that the weekend’s activities commenced with a gathering of clans prior to the competition. Competitors travelled from far afield, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the south coast and all points in between. This event is also the 1st of 4 qualification events for the sailors who have ambitions on places in the RYA National Junior training squads and ITCA (GBR) Junior Development and Youth squads – so a top class entry was ensured.

Charles Glover, current ITCA (GBR) Chairman welcomed everyone to the Saturday morning briefing and introduced Principle Race Officer Peter Saxton to the massed competitors. A warning was given that racing would not take place until the wind was sufficient to ensure fair racing – this was issued due to the general light airs that were evident, another warning was issued, the sunshine & warm temperatures required that the competitors should take sufficient liquids with them to last several hours on the water.

The inevitable postponement signal was issued at the prescribed time & the fleet was held ashore whilst the squadron of committee boats travelled to the far end of the reservoir in search of that fair wind and a good course. When the signal to launch finally came all 195 boats took to the water & it took 46 minutes for the first Topper to arrive at the committee boat, Championship number 645 received a prize of a piece of chocolate flapjack, small reward for hand paddling approximately a mile in distance!! – well done Bradley.

By this point the wind had become very variable in both strength and direction, the massed competitors rafted up & enjoyed each others company. When a breeze seemed as if it would form, between 3:30 to 4:00, the direction still varied by 70 degrees or more & 2 – 6 knots in strength.

As the wind remained inconsistent in both direction & strength, & with the prospect of fair racing diminishing, it was decided to abandon racing for the day without a successful start. The fleet made their way ashore where they made the most of the sunny evening by chatting amongst friends & attending the Derwent Quiz night whilst hoping for a better breeze the following day.

With some breeze left over during the evening around 25 competitors took advantage of the 29er demo taking place at the event - perfect conditions to get a feel for the speed of the boat without being too overwhelming. It was reported that, after an evening of much chinwagging & enjoyable banter within the camping field, the area went quiet before 11pm as the competitors prepared for the next day – most of the parental support teams were also restful, with a limited report regarding light hearted yet mischievous behaviour being discovered the following morning!!

Sunday dawned with similar light airs, a forecast of 2-3knots & much cooler temperatures. The competitors had to 2nd guess the conditions as they launched shortly after 9:30, ensuring they had sufficient food, drink & clothing for the expected conditions – all were in the race area by 10:25 and the 1st start was on time at 10:30. Unfortunately a very large bulge in the centre of the line, probably due to the eagerness of the competitors, resulted in a General Recall and the appearance of the dreaded Black Flag. The wind became inconsistent in strength and direction delaying the next re-start until 11:22, only for this race to be abandoned on the 1st beat. On a 3rd restart at 11:41, both 5.3 flights got away only for them to be abandoned after the 1st beat due to the fickle wind. Finally the weather closed in with low cloud and eventually rain setting in, the wind settled sufficiently at 7 knots for racing to start at 12:55, with all starts now on a black flag the competitors realised that the committee meant business.

Race winners for the eventually shortened 3 race series included Danielle Thomas, Laura Gilmore, Reuban Murphy, Eoin Curran, Robbie Robinson and Edward Connellan, the event was finally won by Reuban Murphy of Portishead who tied on points with Henry Cunnison of Emsworth Slipper from Jamie Purcell, Redesmere who was just 1 point adrift, Danielle Thomas was the 1st girl in 4th place with Steven Clayton 1st Youth in 5th. ITCA (GBR) Chairman Charles Glover thanked the club and all concerned for such a friendly, well organised and successful event. Prizes were presented by DRSC Commodore Ann Penny with a vote of thanks being given by winner Reuben Murphy.

Next Event in the Craftinsure National Series is at Weymouth on the weekend of 10th/11th July 2010, the Topper National Championships are being held at Pwllheli SC during the 1st week of August, over 80 competitors are already signed up to what promises to be one of the biggest dinghy events in the UK during 2010.

Overall Results: