Magic Marine Topper Nationals - Day 1 & 2

by Event media on 8 Aug 2007 After three sunny and breezy days of pre event training, the first morning of the Topper Nationals at the East Lothian Yacht Club started overcast, sullen with a fine sea mist. After the morning briefing the competitors started the waiting game.

First afloat was the Regatta Fleet with the start of a light North Easterly breeze, the conditions being ideal for the youngsters to get use to their surroundings. The Regatta Fleet completed three practice races giving the sailors and their coaches a chance to get to know each other.

As the afternoon progressed, the North Easterly breeze pick up to a steady force three and after a long wait the Main Fleet was able to launch. The race area was to the East of North Berwick towards Bass Rock. Although the wind was not strong it still managed to produce a sea with short choppy waves creating challenging conditions for the sailors.

Despite the long wait to launch, the race committee wasted no time in setting a good course. They were able to complete a series of nine qualification races, the fleet being divided into three flights.

At the end of the day Freddie Connor led the qualification series with two wins and a second. Elliot Hanson was second overall with three straight seconds. Race wins were also claimed by Andrew Brown, Emily Jackson, Phil McCoy, Jordan Taylor, Nathan Ackroyd and Lynn Billowes.

Despite many forecasts to the contrary, Monday morning produced a good breeze now from the South West. The breeze was fresher than on Sunday and at times the gusty conditions made it difficult for the smaller sailors.

Three straight wins took Andrew Brown to first place at the end of the second day of qualification. Freddie Connor took two wins to be second. Steve Beckett also took three straight wins to be third overall, the other race winner being Phil McCoy.

The Main Fleet will conclude the qualification series on Tuesday after which the competitors will be separated into Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets.

Topper Leading Results - Qualification Series (6 races) 263 entries

1 Andrew Brown M 5 pts
2 Freddie Connor M 6 pts
3 Stephen Beckett M 7 pts
4 Elliot Hanson M 12 pts
5 Phil McCoy M 18 pts
6 Jack Hopkins M 19 pts
7 Emily Jackson F 23 pts
8 Matthew Johnson M 24 pts
9 Julia Beck F 27 pts
10 Nathan Ackroyd M 30 pts
11 Andrew Salt M 31 pts
12 Felicity Foulds F 32 pts
13 Philip Doran M 33 pts
14 Lynn Billowes F 35 pts
15 Marina Brassington F 35 pts
16 Jonathan Hewat M 36 pts
17 Richard Cumpsty M 38 pts
18 Robin Elsey M 39 pts
19 Jon Sleight M 39 pts
20 jordan taylor M 41 pts
21 Ngaire Strawbridge F 48 pts
22 Adam Larvin M 49 pts
23 Alex Gillespie M 51 pts
24 Sam Watson M 56 pts
25 Heledd Brown F 57 pts
26 Ben Hodges M 58 pts
27 Mark Billowes M 59 pts
28 Honor Fell F 60 pts
29 Josh Banyard M 61 pts
30 Sarah Butterfield F 61 pts
31 george spedding M 62 pts
32 Thomas Steavenson M 63 pts
33 Anisha Walkerley F 63 pts
34 Ross Moreton M 63 pts
35 Claire Carruthers F 66 pts
36 Anna Piggott F 66 pts
37 Matt Rivers M 67 pts
38 Lorenzo Chiavarini M 67 pts
39 Fergus Barnham M 72 pts
40 Joe Cheetham M 72 pts
41 Susanna Edwards F 73 pts