Please select your home edition
Edition
RYA Membership

Topper Eastern Traveller Round 2 at Royal Harwich Yacht Club

by Ed Medcalf 15 Mar 2023 09:00 GMT 4-5 March 2023

Apprehension was mounting on arrival at the car park of Royal Harwich Yacht Club for the 2nd in the Eastern Traveller Series 23 for 5.3s and 4.2s. The Troll from Trondheim (or Trimley maybe?) was raging, scattering debris, litter and some of the smaller members of the 4.2 fleet before it. A wind-battering was in store for competitors and spectators alike.

RHYC's state of semi-hibernation had been disturbed by 20 Topper sailors whose energetic chat echoed around the distinguished halls; half analysing the association's prototype hull launched this weekend and half arguing whether M&Ms are better than Skittles. PRO Gordon welcomed the travellers warmly and set the scene, then signalled for battle to commence.

Race one, a windward leeward, witnessed exemplary coached behaviour wherein the majority of both fleets were positioned on a notional start line at the 1min gun; it would be churlish to state that the actual line was about 30yds further forward. On the "t" of "toot" triggers were pulled for the force 4 beat though Toby Turner (Snettisham Beach SC) in the 4.2s got his only bad start of the day by dint of an untimely capsize at precisely that moment. Ellie Thwaites (Snowflakes/NBYC/RSWSC),, Jago Jennings (Waldringfield), Jensen Jakob (NBYC) and Harry Wemyss (Hickling Broad SC/Snowflakes) got strong midline starts but were pipped to the first mark by Magnus Medcalf (Brancaster Staithe SC) who picked the first of the day's major windshifts.

The entire fleet then pursued a guide boat that wasn't a guide boat, were redirected to where they should actually be going and swung round the leeward mark. The leader could then look back at 7 boats closely dog-fighting each other up the 2nd beat and used his clear air to extend the advantage to 100 yds. Confusion incident #2 then occurred as the Orwell's transient restaurant boat cruised cheerfully through the course necessitating some major CMG deviations. Anya Gittin's burst of speed to the final mark resulted in a dipping, and Magnus claimed line honours followed by Ellie and a resurgent Nathan Clark (WOBYC). In the 4.2s, Toby had recovered and motored through the fleet to take the win (10th place overall, he should start like that as often as he can), followed by Faith Turner and William Mott, (both Snettisham Beach SC).

Race two; Gordon now reached deep into his box of tricks and set a cunning figure of eight course. The wind had picked up again for the start which witnessed Toby and Harry getting flyers. Ellie hounded Harry round the entire course but his defence, inside lines and cover tacks, was exemplary. Kieran Vanhoutte (Ely SC) and Henry Moss (Burnham Overy Staithe SC) noticeably moved through the fleet well to gain places and both took advantage of the windshift on the 2nd beat which made the windward mark accessible in one tack. Toby elbowed Faith out for the 4.2 spoils. Nathan completed the 5.3 podium.

Race three; the PRO was spoiling us. He plucked a trapezoid course from his bag of talents. The wind dropped. Start sequence under way, suddenly the wind pumped back in and the gun heralded pin end chaos where a group of over-powered chargers had all ended up in the same place. The course variation favoured Henry and Ralph Leftley (NBYC) who maximised the balance between angles and speed. A couple of racers neglected to pass through the line gate on lap 2 and had to make expensive detours; meanwhile Ellie, Jensen and Nathan powered through to finish in that order with Keah Edwards (Cam SC) in pursuit while the 4.2s repeated the previous race order.

Race four. What treat would be in store this time - surely a triangle sausage or perhaps Round Britain. But no, time was not on our side so the series was bookended with a condensed windward leeward. Energy levels and finger temperatures were clearly depleting as there was no line-sitting at the P flag. Instead, most chose to beam reach to anywhere on the line and for the 3rd time Toby nailed it to the micro-second at the boat end. Harry and Ellie counter-punched each other up the beat followed by Henry and Abbey Penny (Horning SC). However, Nathan mastered consistency with a further 3rd place having gained an advantage on the 2nd beat, along with Magnus who finished 4th ahead of Henry and Abbey.

So Ellie returns home with another well-deserved Traveller win. She demonstrated control of each situation and immense humbleness in congratulating others, a great example and fleet leader. Harry and Nathan must also take credit as close runners-up.

Mentions must be made of Josh and Tabi Blackman-Northwood (Hunts SC) who finished each race pretty much on top of each other. Claudia Savory (Snettisham Beach SC) persevered with her reduced sail area, gaining confidence with each race. And William will be returning home to eat some more sausage rolls, further building his brawny stature in order to beat the conditions next time.

RHYC has once again showcased uncomplicated and friendly hospitality to the Eastern Topper fleet which is why we hope to return again and again. The vistas, the warm changing-rooms, the encouragement offered to these young aspirants. Our thanks to Gordon, Amanda, Mike, other Mike and attendant volunteers who worked hard to provide us with great racing. Gratitude also to John Blackman-Northwood for his frozen-finger photography and the indomitable Anna Clark who keeps us organised, on time and on our best behaviour. Onwards to Hunts!

Hunts Sailing Club is where the next Eastern Traveller event in the series takes place with training on Saturday 18th March and Racing on Sunday 19th March 2023. Entry is now open and booking is through the ITCA GBR website.

Any junior sailors in the Eastern region are interested in participating in one of our Traveller events, this is a great opportunity to enter a friendly and local race series. If you would like further information, please contact us on area

Overall Results:

PosRigSail NoHelmClubR1R2R3R4Pts
1st5.347625Ellie ThwaitesSnowflakes/NBYC/RSWSC‑22125
2nd5.348679Harry WemyssHickling Broad SC/Snowflakes‑71517
3rd5.348974Nathan ClarkWaveney & Oulton Broad‑33339
4th5.316517Magnus MedcalfBrancaster Staithe SC19‑10414
5th5.348709Jensen JakobNorfolk Broads YC662‑714
6th5.344192Jago JenningsWaldringfield456‑915
7th5.348246Keah EdwardsCam SC5104‑1419
8th5.349034Kieran VanhoutteEly SC‑949821
9th5.347634Abbey PennyHorning Sailing Club8‑118622
10th5.343784Henry MossBurnham Overy Staithe SC147(DNS)526
11th5.314109Robert HoleHunts SC‑128111029
12th5.346929Ralph LeftleyNorfolk Broads YC‑151271130
13th4.244888Toby TurnerSnettisham Beach1013‑151336
14th5.344144Joshua Blackman‑NorthwoodHunts SC111413‑1638
15th5.345701Tabitha Blackman‑NorthwoodHunts SC13‑16121540
16th5.312322Anya GittinsHorning Sailing Club‑1715141241
17th4.245500Faith TurnerSnettisham Beach16‑17161749
18th5.311885Claudia Savory 18‑19171954
19th5.348573Jack FranklinSnettisham Beach20(DSQ)181856
20th4.245562William MottSnettisham Beach191819(RET)56

Related Articles

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
Topper Southwest Traveller Series at Saltash
35 young sailors battle out it on the Tamar The Topper Southwest traveller series consists of 11 events in beautiful locations across the South West with a mix of inland, estuary and coastal venues. The event held in Saltash was the fifth of the Southwest Topper Travellers events for 2025. Posted on 10 Jun