Topper SE Travellers at Newhaven & Seaford Sailing Club
by Ian Lambert 7 Jul 2009 00:24 PDT
4 July 2009
Light winds lead to a small turnout for the Newhaven & Seaford Topper event © Mike Bovington /
www.redbubble.com/people/mikebov
A forecast of very light winds coupled with a number of competing events on the same day led to a small turnout of only 14 boats for Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club's Topper South East Traveller Open on Saturday 4th July. However all involved, both helms and supporters enjoyed the splendours of perfect weather for splashing about in the sea.
The combination of very light winds - 6 knots at the start dropping to 3 knots by the end of the second race, coupled with a coastal tide and estuary outflow that creates a complex current around Seaford Bay meant that competitors were presented with challenges that would be new to many coming from inland waters and in their first traveller season.
Felix Crowther of Queen Mary Sailing Club was strongly challenged in both races by Oliver Greber (Pevensey Bay SC) and Oliver Machell (Papercourt) but proved a worthy winner of his first SE Topper Traveller with Two bullets in the first two races.
The Race Officer decided that waiting on the beach for a wind after lunch would be a waste of a beautiful sea and encouraged the fleet to demonstrate the finest tradition of Topper sailors everywhere: having fun, by running a 'get there and back by any means' race. Sadly, it was clear by early afternoon that the wind had gone home for the day, and the fleet retired to the beach to congratulate Felix Crowther on his win.
In addition to prizes for the first three placings., additional prizes were awarded: Jack Cox (NSSC) for perfect execution of coming ashore on a South East shingle beach (get your weight out over the stern and drive the boat up the beach)., Tiger Cox for competing in his first SE Topper Traveller, Louise Knevett (1st NSSC boat) and Alex Gorringe (most cheerful sailor).
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 46223 | Felix Crowther | Queen Mary SC | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2nd | 44981 | Oliver Greber | Pevensey Bay | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 3rd | 46278 | Oliver Machell | Papercourt | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 4th | 46221 | Angus Coupar | Queen Mary SC | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 5th | 42004 | Jack Spencer | Papercourt | 7 | 5 | 12 |
| 6th | 35199 | Louis Knevett | Newhaven and Seaford (NSSC) | 5 | 8 | 13 |
| 7th | 41388 | Daniel Archer | Bewl Valley | 8 | 6 | 14 |
| 8th | 20884 | Will Scott | Island Barn | 6 | 9 | 15 |
| 9th | 44169 | Louis Gorringe | Newhaven and Seaford (NSSC) | 9 | 7 | 16 |
| 10th | 44512 | Jack Cox | Newhaven and Seaford (NSSC) | 10 | 11 | 21 |
| 11th | 45614 | Imogen Smith | Bough Beech | 12 | 10 | 22 |
| 12th | 41773 | Nathan Bloss | Newhaven and Seaford (NSSC) | 11 | 12 | 23 |
| 13th | 44422 | Alex Gorringe | Newhaven and Seaford (NSSC) | 13 | DNF | 28 |
| 14th | 26340 | Tiger Cox | Newhaven and Seaford (NSSC) | 14 | DNF | 29 |