Topper Open Meeting at Dovestone Sailing Club
by Len Gabriels 3 Jul 2001 08:37 BST
Seventeen Toppers competed for the new 'Topper Sail' Trophy at Dovestone on Saturday 30th June. The shifting and gusty wind tested the competitor's skill, sudden squalls catching out some of the helms.
Dave Brooks led the first race from the start followed by John Booth and Andrew McKee. These three soon pulled out a clear margin from the rest of the fleet.
In the second race, some boats arrived too early on the line and drifted in the wind too close to the shore. Nikki Sharp rounded the windward mark first, David Walsh second, Booth third. A number of capsizes caused places to change frequently in the following pack as they negotiated the beats. On the third lap Walsh got caught on the wrong side of a shift and was overtaken by Pippa Taylor, McKee, Brooks and Sam Read. In a close finish, the wind lifted and John Booth just pipped Nikki Sharp to the line. Third was Taylor.
After a change of course for the third race Walsh made an excellent start at speed as he took a port end flyer, but it was Brooks that led away from the windward mark followed by McKee. These two pulled away from the others, McKee taking the lead on the second lap which he held to the end of the race. Patchy wind under the dam wall caused problems for some but despite several challenges from Booth and Taylor, Walsh took third place.
Overall, Dave Brooks and John Booth finished with equal points but the tie was broken in Brooks favour and it was he that took home the Trophy and the new tiller extension kindly donated by Dovestone member, Ian Jones and Rooster Sailing. Andrew McKee was third.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Club |
|---|
| 1st | Dave Brooks | Elton & Leigh & Lowton |
| 2nd | John Booth | Redesmere |
| 3rd | Andrew McKee | Dovestone SC |
| 4th | Pippa Taylor | Leigh & Lowton |
| 5th | Nikki Sharp | Budworth SC |
| 6th | David Walsh | Dovestone SC |
More Information: