ITCA (GBR) Rooster Southern Traveller and End of Season Championships at Warsash Sailing Club

For the final event of the Rooster Southern Topper Traveller Series and End of Season Championships, we were hosted by my home club Warsash SC. There were 2 days of racing planned, with a mixed forecast, we were 32 sailors in total, with many sailors in the 4.2 fleet sailing their first open event.

On the Saturday there was almost no wind when we launched at 10, but the RO was hoping to make the most of the late morning southerly 5-8kts, before it was due to swing to the north west and increase. Unfortunately, though the wind came and went with the rain clouds, but never stabilised sufficiently to race.

Around 1415 a large deep black cloud could be seen looming above Southampton water, heading in our direction enabled the RO to get the first sequence under way, this dark cloud brought some rather powerful gusts, it hit 23kts as the 5.3 fleet started their race and at the same time had flattened the majority of the 4.2 fleet who were duly swept up by the safety crew.

ITCA (GBR) Rooster Southern Traveller and End of Season Championships at Warsash - photo © Roger Cerrato

Those of us who were upright, headed upwind flat hiking and moving our body weight around the boat to keep the boat upright and keep it moving forwards. The reaches were fast and the runs were sketchy, but we were all smiling broadly from ear to ear. Well done to those who finished especially Torquil Morrison who easily won the 5.3s from Samuel Wade and Jake Davies, but also to Megan Cerrato who finished amid the 5.3's in her 4.2, Mattie, Hendricks and Reuben battled it out behind her with the sailors simply aiming to throw it in the least.

By the end of the race the sailors and safety fleet appeared quite tired so although the wind had settled around 20-25kts the RO sensibly sent us back to the club.

Once ashore the Warsash Topper parents had organised a much-anticipated Sausage Sizzle, the rain held off and we managed to consume the majority of the hundred or so sausages. A few Hawaiian shirts appeared, as requested by the NOR!

Sunday morning dawned and the light winds had returned, so the fleets were towed out to the race area, hoping the wind would fill in hastily to allow us to at least get one more race in to make it a race series. Part time sketch artist and Topper parent Sa took out her pencil to capture the scene, whilst we waited for the wind. Again, the wind gods would not let us down, light wind emerged for races two and three and even reaching 10kts for race four, which enabled the much-needed discard for those that didn't finish the Saturday race.

ITCA (GBR) Rooster Southern Traveller and End of Season Championships at Warsash - photo © Roger Cerrato

With a consistent tidal flow across the course from left to right and light flitting winds, the first 2 races were tricky to call with massive gains or losses to be made. The key factor in securing good results was getting off the start line, as the sailors that could get away on the correct tack in clear air stretched out the lead to the windward mark and were unlikely to be caught.

Ethan Rhodes was the sailor who made the correct calls off the back of some good starting, he won the start of race 2 and stretched out a decent lead, William Le Grice had a great race two to secure a fine third place, just behind Jake. Ethan followed this up with another good start and selected the course side with more pressure to take out another race win. New Topper sailor Henry Cruse, in a borrowed boat with a tired sail, demonstrated his speed by winning race 2. Light wind specialism must run I the family as Finlay Rhodes won race 3, not wanting to be out sailed by his older brother.

ITCA (GBR) Rooster Southern Traveller and End of Season Championships at Warsash - photo © Roger Cerrato

The third and final race of the day the wind picked up by a few knots allowing marginal hiking in the gusts and caused some rather short sharp Solent chop, in this race Jake Davies won the start and stayed out of trouble to take the win n the 5's and Phileas Rousselle won race 4 in the 4.'s.

Overall, in the 5.3 fleet, Ethan (5,1,1,3) and Jake (3,2,2,1) tied on 5 points, but Ethan stood on the top step on countback, Torquil (1,4,12,2) was third with Ava Francis (6,9,5,5) finishing first female.

In the 4.2 fleet, Henry Cruse took the event win (DNS,1,3,3) from Phileas Rousselle (DNS,6,2,1) who pipped first female Megan Cerrato (1,3,5,12) on countback.

Thanks to the event sponsors for the fantastic trophies from Lewmar and prizes, Rooster, Lippert Europe, Baltic Lifejackets and Marlow Ropes.

ITCA (GBR) Rooster Southern Traveller and End of Season Championships at Warsash - photo © Roger Cerrato

4.2 Fleet Results:

5.3 Fleet Results:

ITCA (GBR) Rooster Southern Traveller and End of Season Championships at Warsash - photo © Roger Cerrato