Topper Open Meeting at Wilsonian Sailing Club

by Roy Winnett on 8 Apr 2008
Nine Toppers representing eight sailing clubs from across the southeast attended the open meeting at Wilsonian Sailing Club on Saturday 5 April. A lapping course, one race in the morning and two back-to-back after lunch with two to count was the format. The moderate breeze was manageable, the only problem being the short chop from wind against the flood tide.

In race 1 Joshua Mclynn, Joseph Wellerd and Richard Thomas soon broke free from the pack and on the final round Mclynn eased ahead with Wellerd second and Thomas third. During the lunch break Clive Jackson sorted out his bending tiller extension and this proved essential for his success.

The breeze gradually died away during the afternoon and sailing against the strong ebb tide proved a difficulty for some. However, in race 2 Wellerd and Mclynn once again established a commanding lead with Jackson chasing close behind. Wellerd kept ahead of Mclynn on the final lap for first and second places respectively, with Jackson third.

Jackson mastered the light airs well in the final race to get clear ahead for line honours to be promoted to third overall, while a second for Wellerd was sufficient to lift the top prize. Mclynn could discard a 4th place and count a 1st and 2nd to claim second prize, while Thomas added another third to take fourth prize on aggregate.

Topper - Overall results/prizes

1st 44535 Joseph Wellerd (Crawley Mariners YC)
2nd 44350 Joshua Mclynn (Wembledon Park SC)
3rd 17501 Clive Jackson (Papercourt SC)
4th 46095 Richard Thomas (Broadstairs SC)