Rooster South East Topper Traveller at Crawley Mariners Yacht Club
by Matt Stein, Race Officer 11 Apr 2018 15:41 BST
8 April 2018
Aaron Evans wins the the Rooster Topper South East Travellers at Crawley Mariners © Graham Evans
The CMYC Topper Open was as it should be, all about the wind. Unfortunately it was more about when it would eventually arrive!
Plenty of drizzle and rain stopped anyone getting too hot under the collar whilst 24 intrepid sailors from as far as Warsash SC waited patiently for the arrival of the key ingredient. The CMYC galley served lunch at a record breaking time of 11.30am and in a move born more out stubbornness than by real evidence, the fleet took to the water. A course was set and after a tense moment when it became a downwind start during sequence, boats got under way in such a disorderly fashion, that a recall was required. More discipline was exerted on the 2nd attempt and off they went.
The second race required a black flag assisted start and this time some boats managed even two laps. Also, a ray of sunshine was seen over Gatwick (honestly!) Just one though, so many missed it!
Top spots were dominated by squad members taking 1st,2nd & 3rd. However local hero Miles Vidler sailed home an excellent race finishing fourth, leaving many squad sailors in his wake. He won the price for first Club sailor as well as the Rooster price for first non-squad sailor.
The protected lake was ideal for some most welcome newbies on the regional circuit and we hope to see them again very soon, now they mastered the art of moving boat, sailor and all their kit to ‘foreign’ shores.
A big thank you to all the volunteers who make these events successful and to Rooster for supporting the Topper South East Region
Overall Results:
1st Place: Aaron Evans, Silver Wing Sailing Club
2nd Place: Leo Wilkinson, Maidenhead Sailing Club
3rd Place: Bill Hudson, Newhaven & Seaford SC
1st Non-squad: Miles Vidler, CMYC
1st 4.2 Sailor: Edwin Cross, CMYC
Endeavour Award: Luke Townsend, CMYC
Special Award: Megan Thomson, IBRSC