ITCA Midlands Topper Traveller Series - Overall
by Mike Powell 28 May 2021 08:25 BST
Spring 2021
Series Winner - Ben Paling - ITCA Midlands Topper Traveller Series 2021 © Jessica Powell
For 2021, the ITCA Midlands Traveller Series was a scheduled four race series, and with Covid restrictions easing, we were able to kick off the rearranged Round 1 event at Draycote Water Sailing Club in April.
Over 44 Sailors entered for this event, it was clearly evident the Midlands Topper sailors were very keen to get back out on the water and straight into some competitive action. The event was a very close contest with the top two only being separated by 1 point and it was Ben Paling starting his 2021 campaign in a strong fashion taking the overall event honours, followed closely by James Crossley and Antonio Pascali.
12 sailors entered into the 4.2 Sail Classification, making this the largest number of 4.2 sailors at a Midlands Traveller in recent history. Imogen Green dominated this classification winning all four races, from Katherine Gunn.
Next up was to be Round 2 planned for Northampton Sailing Club, however our good friend or foe, the wind, disappeared totally resulting in the event being cancelled and with such a compressed calendar we were not able to rearrange. We look forward to visiting Northampton SC as part of our next series and hopefully with better winds!
Very quickly we were into Round 3 and this was to be held at Trimpley Sailing Club. This is a new venue for the Midlands Topper Travellers, set in the heart of the Severn Valley where we had 28 Sailors entered. Sailing conditions were very tricky and light and this would prove to test the sailors abilities to their limits. However, it was Ben Paling showing his all round ability to sail in all conditions winning the event, followed 1 point behind by Finn Morgan and then Gwyneth Lanyon.
It was a similar pattern in the 4.2 Sail Classification with Imogen Green again taking the 4.2 class honours with Katherine Gunn very just behind in second place.
With 1 round remaining and with an event discard, Ben Paling now had an unassailable lead in the series, however all of the other places were all still very much open.
For Round 4 we returned to the planned venue of Draycote Water SC with 38 Sailors entered, making it a great finale to our 2021 Series. Even with Ben already wrapping up the series, he was entered into Round 4 to see if he could make a clean sweep of wins. Wind conditions were again very shifty, but it would be Gwyneth Lanyon stepping up from her recent third place at Trimpley to win at Draycote; followed by Caitlin Thomas and then Finn Morgan.
For the 4.2's, it would be a change of winner with Katherine Gunn taking 4.2 top honours, with Imogen Green in second.
It was great to be able to hold a proper Event and Series prize-giving along with the re-introduction of the Midlands Topper "Top Hat" prize draw, with Russ Dent (from Topper Sailboats) being on hand to present these to the Midland Topper Sailors. Congratulations to Ben Paling for winning the ITCA Midlands Traveller Series 2021 followed by Gwyneth and then Finn Morgan and with Imogen Green winning the 4.2 sail classification.
Under 13 category was won by Jessica Powell and Chloe Grayton taking the Under 10 honours.
Beth Edwards won the "Endeavour Award" which is given for her fabulous effort and determination at all of the Midlands Topper Traveller Events.
Well done to every sailor who took part in the series and we look forward to our next full eight-round Traveller Series starting in September 2021.
Thanks to all the hosting clubs for all the support given during the Series to the Topper Sailors. Also a huge thank you to Topper Sailboats, Harken, Rooster and GJW Direct for supporting the Midlands Topper Series.
If any Junior Midland Topper sailors are interested in participating at the ITCA Midlands Traveller events, it is a great opportunity to enter a friendly and local race series. Please contact us on the email address if you would like any more information.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Class | Sail No | Helm | Round 1 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Topper 5.3 | 47790 | Ben Paling | 1 | 1 | ‑9 | 2 |
| 2nd | Topper 5.3 | 46168 | Gwyneth Lanyon | ‑6 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 3rd | Topper 5.3 | 48586 | Finn Morgan | ‑4 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 4th | Topper 5.3 | 48216 | Charlie Hopkinson | 3 | ‑6 | 4 | 7 |
| 5th | Topper 5.3 | 46391 | Jessica Powell | ‑11 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 6th | Topper 5.3 | 44036 | Joseph Rowe | 5 | ‑11 | 6 | 11 |
| 7th | Topper 5.3 | 46205 | Caitlin Thomas | 12 | (DNC) | 2 | 14 |
| 8th | Topper 5.3 | 45772 | Georgia Hughes | (DNC) | 4 | 10 | 14 |
| 9th | Topper 5.3 | 48259 | Edward Paling | 10 | (DNC) | 7 | 17 |
| 10th | Topper 5.3 | 47181 | Clem Middle | 9 | (DNC) | 8 | 17 |
| 11th | Topper 5.3 | 48667 | Millie Hardiman | 8 | 10 | (DNC) | 18 |
| 12th | Topper 5.3 | 48165 | Eddie Quinn | 7 | (DNC) | 12 | 19 |
| 13th | Topper.5.3 | 48651 | Harriet Temple | 14 | 9 | ‑15 | 23 |
| 14th | Topper 5.3 | 48664 | Toby Gammond | ‑19 | 7 | 17 | 24 |
| 15th | Topper 5.3 | 48092 | Martha Christensen | 13 | ‑14 | 11 | 24 |
| 16th | Topper 5.3 | 47794 | Felicity Angell | 18 | 8 | (DNC) | 26 |
| 17th | Topper 5.3 | 48713 | Matthew Chadderton | ‑16 | 12 | 14 | 26 |
| 18th | Topper 5.3 | 48193 | Jasper Focardi Dolling | ‑23 | 15 | 16 | 31 |
| 19th | Topper 4.2 | 48653 | Imogen Green | 15 | 16 | ‑22 | 31 |
| 20th | Topper 5.3 | 44012 | Jacob Blakeway | ‑26 | 13 | 19 | 32 |
| 21st | Topper 5.3 | 48451 | Daisy Fisher | 2 | (DNC) | DNC | 33 |
| 22nd | Topper 4.2 | 48571 | Katherine Gunn | 17 | 17 | ‑21 | 34 |
| 23rd | Topper 5.3 | 28381 | Beth Edwards | ‑21 | 18 | 18 | 36 |
| 24th | Topper 4.2 | 48675 | Kitty Davy | 25 | (DNC) | 13 | 38 |
| 25th | Topper 5.3 | 46241 | Oli Rogers | ‑24 | 19 | 20 | 39 |
| 26th | Topper 4.2 | 47613 | Ben Angell | 27 | 20 | (DNC) | 47 |
| 27th | Topper 4.2 | 45197 | Polly McMullan | 20 | (DNC) | DNC | 51 |
| 28th | Topper 4.2 | 48667 | Chloe Grayton | 22 | (DNC) | DNC | 53 |
| 29th | Topper 5.3 | 33848 | Morris Mellor | (DNC) | DNC | 23 | 54 |
| 30th | Topper 5.3 | 48327 | Arlo Turner | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 62 |