ITCA Midlands Topper Traveller Series 2021-2022 Round 2 at South Staffordshire Sailing Club

Startline action during Midlands Topper Traveller Round 2 at South Staffs © Donna Powell

Round 2 of the Midlands Traveller 2021-2022 Series was held at South Staffordshire Sailing Club on Saturday 2nd October 2021 where the Midlands Topper Sailors were back in action to see who could take top honours.

This is a planned 8 event series starting September and running through to March visiting a variety of Midlands based clubs who our supporting our Topper Traveller Series.

We had a very strong attendance of Topper Sailors from the host club which is great to see. The weather forecast running up to the event was looking particular challenging with high winds expected that could have resulted in the event being cancelled. However; as the event drew closer and with the excellent guidance from the host club, we were able to confirm that the event could go ahead and this proved to the correct decision.

South Staffs SC is quite unique that it has an island in the centre that has to be navigated. On numerous occasions the leader entering behind the island would not always be the same sailor leading, when they reappeared. This made it very exciting for the spectators!

Race 1 started on time and it was Joe Rowe (Draycote) who immediately took the lead, from Caitlin Thomas (Notts County). This was to remain the same until the final few mark roundings where Joe made an error, costing him the race win. Caitlin was able to take full advantage of this taking the win, followed by Jessica Powell (Draycote), then Tara Ewbank (Chase/Staunton Harold).

First upwind leg in light winds during Midlands Topper Traveller Round 2 at South Staffs - photo © Donna Powell

The strong winds remained for the start of Race 2 and it was Jessica Powell taking the lead followed closely by Caitlin Thomas. The early forecast suggested the winds would remain throughout the day; however these would start to drop during this race. Katherine Gunn (Notts County) was having a great race with Katherine Burgess (Royal Harwich YC). Jessica would maintain the lead until the finish, followed by Caitlin and it was Katherine Gunn who would take 3rd place to sail herself into event contention.

So at the lunch break, it was Caitlin Thomas and Jessica Powell who were leading on joint points, followed by Katherine Gunn. The event win would almost certainly be between these 3, however in which order was all up for grabs. With the wind continuing to unexpectedly drop, the race officer was keen to get the sailors back onto the water.

Race 3 started promptly and the duel would again continue between the current top 3, with Jessica Powell taking here 2nd win of the day and Katherine Gunn keeping up her consistently improving day, finishing in 2nd place from Caitlin Thomas.

The decision to get the sailors out quickly after lunch to complete Race 3 was rewarded as with the wind continued to drop, Race 4 was becoming marginal if it could be completed in the allotted time. Finally this was to be a shortened course and it was the same finishing order as race 3 with Jessica narrowly wining by less than ¼ of a boat length from Katherine Gunn and sealing the event win

With these final race results now completed, Jessica Powell (Draycote) took the honours with her Second Midlands Traveller Event win of the series, followed by Caitlin Thomas 2nd and Katherine Gunn taking 3rd.

For the 4.2's, fleet wins were exchanged between Izzy Ritchie (Notts County) and Traveller last event 4.2 winner William Mawby-Groom (Banbury). With Izzy having a very strong first race in heavy winds, this gave her healthy lead which would set her up for 4.2 Top honours with William coming a close 2nd.

Congratulations go to Jessica Powell (Event Winner) and Izzy Ritchie (4.2 Winner).

All of the winners in Midlands Topper Traveller Round 2 at South Staffs - photo © Donna Powell

A huge thanks to South Staffordshire Sailing Club for hosting an amazing event and making the sailors so welcome - we look forward to returning soon.

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 racing.midlands@itca-gbr.co.uk if you would like any more information.

Overall Results:

Jessica Powell wins Midlands Topper Traveller Round 2 at South Staffs - photo © Donna Powell

Izzy Ritchie wins the 4.2 fleet in Midlands Topper Traveller Round 2 at South Staffs - photo © Donna Powell