Topper Travellers Open at Horning Sailing Club
by Holly Hancock 18 Jun 2019 12:59 BST
15 June 2019
Topper Travellers at Horning © Holly Hancock
Saturday 15th June saw a Topper Traveller take place at Horning Sailing Club, with 16 competitors participating, including 10 visitors travelling from across the region, as well as a number of competitors from the home club.
With the forecast having predicted light winds to start, followed by showers at lunchtime and an increasing breeze throughout the day, racing began on the River Bure outside the Clubhouse in frustratingly light conditions, although thankfully a little breeze picked up as the start sequence began. The first race saw Tom Thwaites (NBYC) pull out an early lead and hold this throughout the race, a pattern which would continue throughout all three races. Second was Ciara Woodard (Waldringfield SC) and third Daisy Robinson (Fishers Green SC).
In the second the front group broke away from the remainder of the fleet, with Tom winning, ahead of Graydon McLeod Fleming (Hunts SC), and Ciara in third place. The third and final race got away on the second attempt following a general recall, with dark ominous clouds threatening rain overhead. Thankfully this did not materialise and it was during this race that the winds really began to pick up, Tom pulling out the biggest lead over his fellow competitors, and winning by a considerable margin. Ryan Walford (SFSC/HBSC) was second, with Ciara third.
First overall was Tom Thwaites (NBYC) with three wins, second overall and first girl was Ciara Woodard with a second and two thirds, and third overall was Ryan Walford. Special awards were presented to Preston Childerhouse, as first HSC sailor, and Ella Middleton (HSC), for perseverance.