Topper Inland Championships and NS3 at Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club

Topper 5.3 Inland Championships and NS3 at Derwent Reservoir © Clare Rhodes

We hear from two sailors who raced at this event...

Back again at a lovely Derwent reservoir for NS3. The weather was on point with the wind picking on time like it was forecasted. The race course was set for the 4.2 on the inner loop and the 5.3 on the outer loop.

Race 1

The first race got under way with light winds but Jonathan Shields getting a strong start leading the way around the race course with Audrey Yang close behind with Sam Taylor following right behind. Coming across the finish line in first place was Jonathan followed by Audrey and Sam.

Race 2

Everyone had a clean start off the start line, straight away Henry Cruise, Jonathan Shields and Brooke Browning were battling it out for 1st place all taking different tactics towards the wind wood mark, as the winds started to pick up Henry securing 1st place with Jonathan in 2nd place and Brooke taking 3rd place.

Race 3

Great start from Brooke leading all the way around the course flying until the the down wind gate both Brooke and Jonathan battling it out but Jonathan had the inside line and managed to get a head and take 1st place, with Brooke coming 2nd and Henry taking 3rd place.

Race 4

The last race of the day started well. Straight away Henry taking the lead with Jonathan not fair behind, Henry Fenton making some really good decision that really paid off putting him in 3rd place across the finish line with Jonathan in 2nd place and henry taking 1st place.

Sunday - Race 5

The sun was out and the wind were up. Straight off the line was Brooke heading towards the windward mark with Henry right next to her, both feeling the pressure of being side by side all the way around the course but Brooke taking 1st place and Henry in 2nd place and Jonathan in 3rd place.

Race 6

The wind where getting stronger and shifty and keeping all the sailor on there toes and making decisions harder even just keeping the boat flat for some people was tricky. The top three sailors were still batting it out for first place but keeping his cool, was Henry taking the win straight behind him was Brooke closely followed by Jonathan .

Race 7

On race seven the course got moved due to the big shift in wind. After a long wait and the committee doing an excellent job of trying to get us back on racing again. we were soon racing with even more strong winds and gusts, which saw a lot of 4.2 sailor retire out of the race due to the strong winds.

It was really hard to get to the windward mark but all sailors overcoming the obstacles they faced.

Nothing changed for the top three sailors still battling it out again one more time for first place but taking 1st place was Henry and in 2nd place was Brooke and Jonathan taking 3rd place.

Overall a great weekend with a great club and facilities, cant wait to race there again. Thanks to all of the race committee and competitors for an amazing weekend.

And now for the second report...

On arriving at the sailing club Saturday morning, we were greeted with bright sun, clear blue skies and a warm welcome from the club which was very friendly with great facilities. The conditions were fantastic and with a cold wind kicking in from the South East we were ready for a great weekends racing! We got started at noon with the 5.3 fleet leading off and the 4.2s following on the second start.

The wind was shifty and filling in on only of the course making it hard to pick the shifts. Some sailors fared much better than others in the challenging conditions. I found the unpredictable wind difficult, and it proved hard to produce consistent results but well done to Tristan Shaw, Harry Dence and Alex Stainton who managed the conditions very well. We finished 4 races on day 1we went for some food, a good rest and re-set for Day 2.

Sunday started earlier, colder and windier but the wind direction was much more consistent with strong gusts funnelling down the Reservoir. We launched early for a 10.30am start. On the 1st beat of the 1st race it got very congested at the windward mark. I was fortunate to escape just ahead of it but could hear lots of shouting as I set off down the reach. Henry Noel took a good lead through to the win. In the next race it was Toby Turner with a good port end start who worked the left side well building a lead which he held to take the win.

Suddenly, the wind died and shifted direction. We had a weird half hour waiting for the wind that we all knew should be there! Then, just as suddenly as it had disappeared, the wind returned with a vengeance! A new course was set, and we started race 3 in the strongest winds of the day pushing us to the limit. Our 1st run down the reservoir was very exciting with lots of plaining, spray and not much control! Henry Noel handled the conditions expertly to win with me holding on for my third second of the day just ahead of Tristan in third.

I think we were all secretly happy the race committee was sending us home after seven races and we weren't staying out for the planned eighth race. Many of us were exhausted and despite the great sailing conditions happy to be heading in.

In the main 5.3 fleet it was a big well done to Tristan Shaw for a fantastic overall win and to Harry Dence who was close behind him. Both showed great consistency this weekend. Henry Noel had a really strong performance on Sunday bringing him up to 4th and I was very happy with my third place. Congratulations to Henry Cruise who won the 4.2 fleet this weekend closely followed by Jonathan Shields and Brooke Browning.

Thank you to the club, ITCA, sponsors - Rooster, Noble Marine, Topper Sailboats, Optimum Time and Harken - parents, helpers, supporters and sailors who make these events happen.

Results: www.itca-gbr.co.uk/results

Topper 4.2 Inland Championships and NS3 at Derwent Reservoir - photo © Clare Rhodes