Please select your home edition
Edition
RYA Membership

Topper Midland Championship at Notts County Sailing Club

by Katheryn Hinsliff-Smith 17 Jun 2019 21:23 BST 15-16 June 2019

Despite the horrendous downpours during the preceding week Saturday morning saw blue skies and a forecast of 10 gusting 15 knots as 34 sailors registered for the event.

After a welcome by event co-ordinator Kathryn Hinsliff-Smith, introductions were made to the experienced NCSC race team of Ken and Sue Twemlow and a merry band of club volunteers, this promised to be an exciting and well planned event. A race briefing aimed at junior sailors, including more novice sailors and those on the Topper circuit, was held including a briefing on flags, courses and plans for the 2-day Championship. Since the forecast was near perfect it was planned to run 4 races back to back commencing at 11 am. After stocking up on a hearty breakfasts, applying sun cream and bottles filled, sailors were launched and nervous parents looked on with binoculars, or went for a walk around the lake.

Thirty four sailor's launched of which 10 were on the smaller 4.2 rigs and all from the home club showing the option of competing at this level across all ages and weights and encouraging those new to Topper only events.

Race 1 was officially abandoned due to a timing error on the committee boat, much to the disappointment of the GBR RYA race squad who secured top places. After switching the batteries (or kicking the old timer) normal service resumed and Race 2 got under way. It soon became apparent that there were a split in the fleet with the front pack made up of the GBR RYA Topper squad sailors of Paling, Hinsliff-Smith, Thomas, Singleton and Robertson, followed by the sailors from the RYA Midlands zone of Grayton, Hopkinson, Quinn, Berry, McMullan, Ewbank, Bray, Keenan, Piggott, Moore. The remaining sailors were predominately Notts County sailors some new into Topper sailing or in the Clubs own Youth Racing Squad. Race one was won by William Thomas from Notts County with Kate Robertson from Swarkestone taking 2nd place. The 4.2 fleet came in from 20th place onwards with 1st Eddie Quinn followed by Edward Paling.

Race 2 saw a change of course as the wind shifted slightly and with a lead boat the sailors soon got to grips with the increasing gusts and the shifting conditions. In Race two Ben Paling, from Notts County, took the hooter, closely followed by William Thomas with Race 3 saw another winner with ex Zone squad sailor Thomas Link from Leigh & Lowton with Molly Hinsliff-Smith from Notts County taking the 2nd placed spot. Some of the younger less experienced sailors were showing the strain as we entered Race 4 of the back to back races and some wishing they had fuelled up more from the array of food available from Pauline's kitchen. Again it was close in the 4.2 fleet with Edward Paling scoring a 17th place.

The final scheduled race saw some dark clouds looming and some more shifty conditions, exactly as forecast, but which way paid up the 1st beat? The committee boat moved to finish on a shortened course which threw a few competitors and even led to a protest but Greg Cornes from Chase SC took the top spot followed by Ben Paling. Greg won the event last year and was clearly now finding his form after stepping into a Laser.

The end of Day 1 saw the top 3 spots going to Notts County Sailors, Paling, Thomas, Hinsliff-Smith with special mention to Matthew Gunn who despite coming in last had to endure the pouring rain, a capsize on the homeward straight watched by 33 sailors on shore. Likewise the 4.2 sailors were close with Edward Paling, Caitlin Thomas and Eddie Quinn vying for places.

After a hearty meal, many juniors still had energy to pitch their tents, play some silly games with a chocolate bar (and gloves, hat & scarf) and complete a bunting painting competition. Visitors enjoyed staying at the club along with free camping and catering facilities.

Day 2 started with a similar forecast, a little cooler and some blue skies. The NOR indicated an early start, 9am for 3 races to make a series of 7. A few fuzzy heads but that tended to be mainly parents, perhaps it was because it was Father's Day? A few of the sailors under canvas also looked to be suffering too.

Race 5 saw William Thomas and Kate Robertson find their form making this exciting watching from the balcony along with some nervous parents. With Race 6 ending with Charlie Hopkinson from Notts County stealing the show with a resounding win leading from the windward mark. Definitely a name to watch in the future. This meant those on the shore were quickly calculating this Championship was going to be very close, currently one place between Paling and Thomas, and it was all down to the final race to declare the winner along with the 4.2 fleet closely battling between 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Paling was out of the starting blocks first, closely followed by Cornes, but on the homeward leg Paling had a dramatic death roll looking like Will Thomas might be assured of the Championship only to find Ben Paling recovered and managed to secure 2nd place with Cornes picking up his 2nd win of the series. Overall Ben Paling from Notts County won on 10 points, William Thomas, Notts County on 11 points, 3rd place went to Greg Cornes from Chase SC. As is customary the prizes were split between top 3 boys and top 3 girls going to Kate Robertson, Swakestone SC and Molly Hinsliff-Smith and Heather Quinn both from Notts County. In total 12 of the 34 competitors were female aged between 12 and 16.

Prizes were also awarded to the 4.2 fleet with Caitlin Thomas, Edward Paling and Eddie Quinn all from Notts County finishing 21st, 23rd and 24th respectively. Prizes were also awarded to top Notts County Sailor Charlie Hopkinson, 1st placed Midlands zone sailor Taylor Berry and two unsupported sailors from Trimpley, Matthew Chadderton and Toby Gammond and Endeavour to Matthew Gunn from Notts County SC.

At the packed prize giving organiser Kathryn Hinsliff-Smith commended all the sailors for their sailing prowess as well as their positive attitude to sailing. Kathryn added that it was a pleasure to host this prestigious event with special mention to the series sponsors Harken and ITCA and to thank all the many volunteers who had made the event such a great occasion. The event saw 34 sailors drawn across 9 sailing clubs and 22 sailors from Notts County drawing on the next sailing generation, thanks to the Clubs RYA OnBoard activities. Here's to 2020.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmRigClubR1R2R3R4R5R6R7Pts
1st47790Ben Paling5.3Nottts County SC‑31‑3232210
2nd46770William Thomas5.3Nottts County SC124‑1013‑511
3rd47173Greg Cornes5.3Chase SC‑105‑10154116
4th48050Kate Robertson5.3Swakestone2‑10‑13528724
5th48252Thomas Link5.3Leigh and Lowton‑1281‑966425
6th48216Charlie Hopkinson5.3Nottts County SC765‑871‑826
7th47684Molly Hinsliff‑Smith5.3Nottts County SC4‑112699‑1030
8th47023Heather Quinn5.3Nottts County SC‑1337‑12451130
9th48437Taylor Berry5.3Chase SC‑1199411‑12336
10th48101Felix McMullan5.3Draycote SC‑1478713‑151449
11th47764Tara Ewbank5.3Chase SC91214‑17‑157951
12th45991Keiron Bray5.3Banbury SC5‑15111112‑141352
13th47765Oli Keenan5.3Tamworth SC(RET)(DNS)613820653
14th47101Iris Singleton5.3Hollowell84123(DNC)(DNC)DNC62
15th48535Sam Grayton5.3Nottts County SC6‑16161414(RET)1565
16th47388Aimee Bray5.3Banbury SC161415(DSQ)10‑171267
17th46688Raife Piggott5.3Nottts County SC1513‑1815‑16111670
18th45438Hayden Moore5.3Nottts County SC‑232019161713‑2885
19th41145Matthew Chadderton5.3Trimpley SC‑3019‑232220101889
20th46168Gwyneth Lanyon5.3Nottts County SC1817201919‑24‑2193
21st46205Caitlin Thomas4.2Nottts County SC‑25‑24212118191796
22nd48166Charles Miles‑Hayler5.3Nottts County SC19‑2622‑2322161998
23rd42613Edward Paling4.2Nottts County SC2118‑2418‑252122100
24th48165Eddie Quinn4.2Nottts County SC2023‑262021‑2720104
25th31094Eloise Davie5.3Nottts County SC2227(DNF)(DNC)231826116
26th29169Toby Gammond5.3Trimpley SC24‑28‑2524242224118
27th35889Euan Bremner‑Harrison4.2Nottts County SC2722‑3025‑282327124
28th42047Benjamin Halliday5.3Nottts County SC172117(DNC)(DNC)DNCDNC125
29th84Matthew Gunn4.2Nottts County SC2625‑282626‑2925128
30th44631Katherine Gunn4.2Nottts County SC29‑3027(DNC)272623132
31st47222Georgia Riddell4.2Nottts County SC312929(DNC)2925(DNC)143
32nd2Cillian Dyne4.2Nottts County SC2831(DNF)(DNC)3028DNC152
33rd27192Arthur Quinn4.2Nottts County SC3232(DNC)(DNC)31DNFDNC165
34th46124Isabel Ritchie4.2Nottts County SC(DNC)(DNF)DNCDNC32DNCDNC172

Related Articles

Medway Dinghy Regatta
The perfect weekend After last year's successful relaunch of the regatta, the 2025 Medway Dinghy Regatta welcomed an increased number of boats over the previous year with entrants making the journey to the River Medway from clubs both near and far. Posted on 4 Jul
Chipstead SC Juniors Mid-summer Regatta 2025
Perfect conditions for the 57 sailors taking part On 28th June 2025 Chipmates, the Junior Class at Chipstead SC, arrived to champagne sailing conditions for this year's mid-summer regatta. With lovely warm temperatures and wind averaging 9mph with gusts up to about 18mph. Posted on 3 Jul
Topper Midland Championship at Draycote Water
Consistency key with 8 races held over two days Draycote Water hosted the Midland Championships held over a weekend in June. A regional champs always attracts a good turn out, and as a selection event for the ITCA GBR Regional performance winter training this year it was an extra reason to sign up. Posted on 2 Jul
South and Southwest Regional Junior Championship
Exciting, high-quality competitive racing for 5 classes at Weymouth There were 145 sailors competing in Topper 5.3 and 4.2, Optimist, RS Feva XL, RS Tera Pro and Sport and ILCA 4 classes. The excellent race team led by PRO Paul Kimmens delivered exciting, high-quality competitive racing for all classes. Posted on 26 Jun
NEYYSA Championship at Ullswater
They had it all: heat, sun, torrential rain, wind, calm, thunder and lightning We had it all at Ullswater, heat, sun, (torrential) rain, wind, calm, thunder and lightning but nothing switched the smiles, sailing and socialising off at the North Region Youth & Junior Championships at Ullswater. Posted on 25 Jun
Welsh Regional Junior Championships
74 boats have a glorious weekend alongside a number of Welsh Sailing initiatives The event was hosted with Dale Yacht Club, Celtic Sea Watersports and Windswept Watersports and attracted a total of 74 entries, including 18 sailors keen to develop their racing skills in the coached regatta fleet. Posted on 25 Jun
London & South East Topper Regional Championships
43 sailors enjoy 8 fantastic races at Itchenor Sailing Club This year, Itchenor Sailing Club hosted the L&SE Regional Championship, drawing 43 sailors for eight races over two days in the picturesque Chichester Harbour. Posted on 24 Jun
Topper Irish Nationals at Lough Erne Preview
Around 50 talented young sailors will travel from all over Ireland to compete Lough Erne Yacht Club is looking forward to welcoming Topper sailors to the Irish National Championships over the weekend of Friday 4th - Sunday 6th July. Posted on 22 Jun
All set for NEYYSA Championship at Ullswater
Youth and juniors from all over the NE and Yorkshire will battle this weekend With less than 24 hours until the first warning signal at the North Region Youth & Junior Championships organised by North East & Yorkshire Youth Sailing Association (NEYYSA) and hosted by Ullswater Yacht Club final preparations are in hand. Posted on 20 Jun
Cambridgeshire Youth League at Grafham Water
33 sailors took part in windy conditions The second leg of the Cambridgeshire Youth Sailing League took place at Grafham Water Sailing Club on Saturday 14th June. Despite the forecast for strong winds, 33 intrepid young sailors set sail in gusty conditions. Posted on 18 Jun