Virtual Rigger Topper 4.2 Inlands at Grafham Water Sailing Club
by Adam McElroy 11 May 2014 08:35 BST
3-4 May 2014
Virtual Rigger Topper 4.2 Inland Champion Hakan Digby © Caroline Randeria
Twenty-five Toppers competed for specific 4.2 awards from Virtual Rigger amongst over 200 boats at the Inland Championships at Grafham Water Sailing Club.
The Topper 4.2 is a great entry route into sailing, ideally suited for the smaller and lighter junior sailor and more efficient when racing than a reefed 5.3 sail.
Saturday's fantastic sunshine was much appreciated after several wet and windy National Series events but with 2-3 knots of breeze only the Regatta fleet were able to launch, for some impromptu coaching and fun sessions.
Sunday brought some breeze and the 4.2 Race Officer and race team were able to deliver a complete set of races on Sunday, enabling the sailors to discard one result from their series.
The race lead swapped continuously between races, with a few sailors pushing so hard on the line they were scored OCS in a couple of races.
The final positions were so closely fought that count back had to be used to separate the final scores for some positions.
"It was fantastic to see these younger sailors racing hard and enjoying their sailing at the Inland Championships, I'm certain there will be future champions who started their sailing in the Topper 4.2 fleet", Simon Butterworth, Virtual Rigger.
Thank you to the 4.2 PRO Kate Jones, ARO Andy Moore; and the Commodore & PRO, Peter Saxton and all at GWSC for hosting an excellent event. Virtual Rigger 4.2 Inland Championships, prizes awarded by Simon Butterworth.
Overall Results:
1st Hakan Digby (4.2 Inland Champion)
2nd Milly Jinks
3rd Ben McElroy
4th Curtis McKay
5th Coco Barrett
Endeavour, Timmy Cranfield