Topper Scottish Travellers at East Lothian Yacht Club

Launching at North Berwick © ELY

Last weekend was the final Scottish Topper Traveller of the 2017/2018 series held in North Berwick, ELYC. On the Saturday 18 boats showed up ready to race (in the fog!). When I arrived in the morning there was only a breath of wind and a thick haar covering our race area out at sea. Luckily for us the haar cleared, the sun came out and the wind filled in, we all launched and sailed out to the race area.

The first start came quickly after the Oppies; Jamie Briggs went off to a good start with Tom Mitchell closely following, but it was Tom who won with Jasmin Robertson and Jamie following in second and third place. In the second race, it was Finlay Herrington who had a clear win on the rest of the fleet. In the third and final race of the day Jamie was off to a good start again with Jennifer Wesley and Orri Robertson following closely, the race was a close battle but Jamie took the lead and finished the day in first followed by Tom and Jennifer.

Sunday dawned with hardly any wind again, as forecast. We launched a few hours later than planned as the race committee attempted a race. There were no Toppers on the start line, even after three minutes only one boat had crossed the line. Max Vella had the best start of the day, starting on the port side he had a clear lead. But the tide was too strong and with hardly any wind racing was cancelled for the day.

Everyone was towed back into the shore, but no-one was disappointed as we were all greeted onshore with delicious ice cream.

With all of the results calculated for the weekend we had a prize giving in the marquee; well done to the winner Jamie, Tom who finished only one point away in second place, and Jasmin in third place.

Overall prizes for the Scottish Topper Traveller series were awarded to Finlay Tullet first, Tom Mitchell second, and Jennifer Wesley third and first girl overall. A big well done to Finlay Herrington for winning the best newcomer and Orri Robertson for winning the most improved.

A big thank you to Sailingfast for our prizes and sponsoring all the events in this series. Also a big thank you to ELYC for a great event with mostly brilliant weather; a great venue with very helpful volunteers and also an amazing kitchen team that kept all the sailors (and our parents) going!

Overall Results:

Launching at North Berwick - photo © Rhona Hamilton