ITCA Midlands Topper Traveller Series Round 3 at Trimpley Sailing Club

Startline action during Midlands Topper Traveller Round 3 at Trimpley © Trimpley Sailing Club Photography

With Round 2 of the Midlands Topper Traveller, planned for Northampton being cancelled due to no wind, the Midlands Toppers then moved onto Trimpley Sailing Club for Round 3 last weekend.

This is a new venue for the Midlands Topper Travellers, set in the heart of the Severn Valley with the most stunning scenery. 28 sailors entered the event and was to deliver very tricky sailing conditions which was going to test the sailors to their limits. There was also a strong contingent of Trimpley Topper sailors who were keen to use their local knowledge on wind shifts to give them a real chance of delivering excellent results.

For Race 1, Gwyneth Lanyon got off to a great start taking an excellent win, followed closely by current series leader, Ben Paling and then Jessica Powell, delivering an excellent top 3 result.

In Race 2, Finn Morgan sailed brilliantly to take the win, from Charlie Hopkinson and then Round 1 Draycote winner, Ben Paling. With the wind conditions continuing to be the challenge of the day, we were to see close bunching at the mark rounding; if the sailor picked up a gust, they could easily move up 5 places at a time.

Downwind in tricky conditions during Midlands Topper Traveller Round 3 at Trimpley - photo © Steven Angell

Race 3 was to continue with another win for Finn Morgan, putting him in a very strong position to win the event, however the ever consistent Ben Palling was hot on his heels, finishing 2nd, followed by Joe Rowe.

The event win was still up for grabs as we went into Race 4; this was to be between Finn Morgan on 2 race wins and Ben Paling on equal points. For this race, there was course change due to shifting wind conditions; this was to prove to be Ben’s best race of the day taking the win by a convincing margin from local Trimpley Sailor Toby Gammond and then Georgia Hughes.

Close upwind during Midlands Topper Traveller Round 3 at Trimpley - photo © Donna Powell

So it was Ben Paling taking the overall event honours, followed 1 point behind by Finn Morgan and then Gwyneth Lanyon

In the 4.2 Classification, the sailing continued to be very close between the leading contenders of Imogen Green and Katherine Gunn. Imogen took the first 3 races however Katherine fought back in the final race to make it a close contest. Eventually it was Imogen who took the 4.2 class honours with Katherine very just behind.

Congratulations to Ben Paling (Event Winner) and Imogen Green (4.2 Winner)

Special thanks to all of the volunteers at Trimpley Sailing Club for hosting the event and making the Midlands Topper Sailors so welcome.

Next, we move onto final Round at Draycote Water Sailing Club on 22nd May 2021. Places are still available if you would like to enter on the ITCA Website – looking forward to see you there!

Overall Results: