ITCA Midlands Topper Traveller Series - Autumn / Winter 2020
by Mike & Donna Powell 18 Jan 2021 03:32 PST
Midlands Topper Autumn Traveller Series 2020 - Bartley event © Debbie Degge
For 2020, the ITCA Midlands Traveller Series was planned as a four event series however we lost our first event due to the ongoing restrictions.
We were able to hold Round 2 at South Staffs Sailing Club in September with over 25 sailors entering the event. With the Island in the middle at South Staffs, this makes for a challenge with changing wind direction. In some parts of the course the wind was very light with it picking up as the sailors went down to the leeward marks. The club hosted a great event and there lot of very close racing with Tara Ewbank (Chase SC / Staunton Harold SC) leading the way, winning the event from Hayden Moore (Notts SC), followed by Finn Morgan (South Staffs SC).
The 4.2 Sail classification is developing into a very competitive field and provided tight racing between the sailors. Jess Powell (Draycote) eventually taking the 4.2 win, closely followed by Imogen Green (Draycote).
Next up was Bartley Sailing Club, with the original date in October being cancelled due to no wind at all; we just managed to squeeze a rearranged date into the first weekend in November, before the 2nd COVID lockdown. It was totally opposite conditions for the rearranged date, with very high winds it was going to test all of the sailors. Arlo Turner (Glossop SC) won the event, followed by Hayden Moore (Notts SC) and then Heather Quinn (Notts County).
Due to the high winds, there were an increased number of 4.2 Sailors at the event with Jess Powell, (Draycote) winning this, finishing 6th Overall; followed by Imogen Green (Draycote) and Eddie Quinn (Notts SC).
With two rounds now completed, it was Hayden Moore leading the series with very strong results from the first 2 events. For the final round planned for Hollowell, Hayden's closest competitor for the series title would be from Tara Ewbank how had won the first event at South Staffs. The final round was planned for December at Hollowell, but due to no winds this had to be postponed until January.
Unfortunately the final re-arranged round at Hollowell SC was unable to take place due to the increasing COVID restrictions; so the decision was taken by the organisers to finish the Series after 2 rounds being completed.
Congratulations to Hayden Moore for winning the ITCA Midlands Traveller Series 2020, followed by Tara Ewbank and then Finn Morgan and with Jess Powell winning the 4.2 Sail classification.
Under 13 category was won by Clem Middle and Chloe Grayton taking the Under 10 honours.
Katherine Gunn won the "Endeavour Award" which is given for fabulous effort, determination and dedication to sailing.
Well done to every Sailor who took part in the series. All racing was very close but fair and throughout the series there were no post event protests!
Overall Results:
| Pos | Class | Sail No | Helm | South Staffs | Bartley | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Topper 5.3 | 45438 | Hayden Moore | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 2nd | Topper 5.3 | 47764 | Tara Ewbank | 1 | 7 | 8 |
| 3rd | Topper 5.3 | 48586 | Finn Morgan | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| 4th | Topper 5.3 | 48535 | Sam Grayton | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| 5th | Topper 5.3 | 48327 | Arlo Turner | 10 | 1 | 11 |
| 6th | Topper 5.3 | 44036 | Joseph Rowe | 6 | 8 | 14 |
| 7th | Topper 5.3 | 48667 | Millie Hardiman | 7 | 12 | 19 |
| 8th | Topper 4.2 | 46391 | Jessica Powell | 14 | 6 | 20 |
| 9th | Topper 5.3 | 47181 | Clem Middle | 9 | 11 | 20 |
| 10th | Topper 5.3 | 46205 | Caitlin Thomas | 4 | 18 | 22 |
| 11th | Topper 5.3 | 48165 | Eddie Quinn | 12 | 10 | 22 |
| 12th | Topper 4.2 | 48653 | Imogen Green | 15 | 9 | 24 |
| 13th | Topper 5.3 | 48664 | Toby Gammond | 16 | 13 | 29 |
| 14th | Topper 5.3 | 48651 | Harriet Temple | 13 | 17 | 30 |
| 15th | Topper 5.3 | 47777 | Katherine Burgess | 8 | 22.5 | 30.5 |
| 16th | Topper 5.3 | 48092 | Martha Christensen | 17 | 15 | 32 |
| 17th | Topper 4.2 | 48677 | Chloe Grayton | 21 | 16 | 37 |
| 18th | Topper 5.3 | 47023 | Heather Quinn | DNC | 3 | 38 |
| 19th | Topper 4.2 | 48571 | Katherine Gunn | 19 | 20 | 39 |
| 20th | Topper 4.2 | 45197 | Polly McMullan | 20 | 22.5 | 42.5 |
| 21st | Topper 5.3 | 48259 | Edward Paling | 11 | DNC | 46 |
| 22nd | Topper 5.3 | 40003 | Matthew Chadderton | DNC | 14 | 49 |
| 23rd | Topper 4.2 | 47794 | Felicity Angell | 18 | DNC | 53 |
| 24th | Topper 4.2 | 48193 | Jasper Focardi Doling | DNC | 19 | 54 |
| 25th | Topper 5.3 | 27192 | Arthur Quinn | 22 | DNC | 57 |
| 26th | Topper 5.3 | 46341 | Niall Harris | DNC | 22.5 | 57.5 |
| 26th | Topper 5.3 | 44012 | Jake Blakeway | DNC | 22.5 | 57.5 |
| 28th | Topper 5.3 | 47222 | Georgia Riddell | DNC | DNC | 70 |
| 28th | Topper 4.2 | 47613 | Ben Angell | DNC | DNC | 70 |
| 28th | Topper 5.3 | 48744 | Graydon Mcleod Flemming | DNC | DNC | 70 |
| 28th | Topper 5.3 | 47790 | Ben Paling | DNC | DNC | 70 |
| 28th | Topper 5.3 | 48798 | Izzy Ritchie | DNC | DNC | 70 |
| 28th | Topper 4.2 | 33848 | Morris Mellor | DNC | DNC | 70 |
| 28th | Topper 5.3 | 46241 | Oli Rogers | DNC | DNC | 70 |