ITCA (GBR) Eastern Region Topper Traveller Round 1 at Hunts Sailing Club

ITCA (GBR) Eastern Region Topper Traveller at Hunts © Sally Woolstenholmes

The first round of the 2025-26 Eastern Topper Traveller series was held at Hunts Sailing Club on 7th September 2025. There was a fantastic turnout of 19 sailors in the 5.3 class and 7 in the 4.2 class - with several joining us for their first Traveller event.

After a blustery training day on Saturday, the conditions on Sunday were shifty but made for some exciting racing. Our third placed sailor at each event is given the honour of writing the report - thanks and congratulations to Nate Sparrow this time.

A really great start to the Eastern Traveller Series with four tight and competitive races.

In the first 5.3 race there were about two laps of the leader switching every two minutes. This was due to the shifty weather and the great skill of all the sailors. For the final lap Nate Sparrow took the lead and was holding onto it till the finish with a close second from Toby Turner crossing just 4 seconds after, and Robin Hailey in 3rd. In the 4.2 class, Daisy Coates was first across the line with a comfortable lead.

In the second race Toby Turner took an early lead and built on it for most of the race. Second place was another story though, witching quite a bit - but in the end Faith Turner reeled in a second with a close finish by Nate Sparrow in 3rd. Buddy Hunt crossed the line first in the 4.2 class.

In the third race Toby Turner yet again had a good start and pulled away from the fleet leaving the fight for second to continue. Faith Turner kept second place for the entirety of the race, although Nate was close behind her for most of the race, she held firmly onto her lead. In the 4.2s the leaders changed again, this time Ralph Grice getting a first across the line.

In the final race whoever beat who out of Faith and Nate would secure second. Toby Turner had already had won the event, and took first place in the last race to round it off. Nate got an early lead on Faith but at the reach Faith overtook him and so did Robin Hailey. Despite his best efforts Nate only beat Robin meaning he came third overall, with Faith second.

In the 4.2s Buddy Hunt was the first across the line in the final race giving him the overall event win on count back. Ralph Grice came second and Daisy Coates third.

A big thank you to the Race Officer Andy Wilcox, coaches Steve Carver and Harry Moffatt, the safety personnel, parent volunteers and the Hunts Sailing Club team for a great weekend.

ITCA (GBR) Eastern Region Topper Traveller at Hunts - photo © Martin Davies

4.2 Fleet Results:

5.3 Fleet Results: