ITCA Midlands Topper Traveller Series Round 4 at Draycote Water Sailing Club

The final round of the Spring Midlands Topper Traveller Series on Saturday 22nd May saw the sailors returning to Draycote Water Sailing club where we had an amazing turnout with 38 entered.

It was really great to see new sailors entering the event from Carsington, Banbury and Northampton Sailing Club and with the support of Russ Dent from Topper Sailboats being on hand to provide any boat maintenance tips and spares support, it made for a really excellent day.

Wind conditions had relaxed from the previous day where we were having very high gusts, so we were set racing with westerly wind speeds ranging from 7-10 knots. A Trapezoidal course had been set by the Race Director with a long beat to the windward mark. For race 1, Eddie Quinn had an amazing sail and stormed away from the rest of the field to win with Caitlin Thomas finishing an excellent 2nd, followed by Finn Morgan 3rd.

ITCA Midlands Topper Traveller Series at Draycote Water: Midlands Toppers at Draycote - photo © Allison Blakeway

The winds were starting to drop for race 2, however it was Finn Morgan who stepped it up a gear by winning, followed by Gwyneth Lanyon, who was having a really great event and then Eddie Quinn 3rd, backing up his win from Race 1.

At this point the sailors were greeted by a strong rain shower just before the start of Race 3 which dropped the wind considerably. The race director AP'd the racing to enable the rain to go through and the wind to pick back up. Unfortunately, race 3 had to be abandoned due to the time taken to reach the windward mark and with the sailors being on the water for a considerable time, the decision was taken to reduce the day to a 3 race event, meaning there would be no discards. With Eddie Quinn and Finn Morgan in excellent positions to take the event win, with equal points and equal positions; it was going to be a Race 3 decider.

Once the wind direction had settled Race 3 could start, however very quickly the wind started to shift a little making it a real challenge to pick the correct side on the upwind beat. It would be Gwyneth Lanyon, using all her experience to make the right choice and pulled out an unassailable lead at the windward mark. This would be a lead she would hold until the end of the race, winning from Graydon Mcleod Fleming, followed closely by Caitlin Thomas.

So at the end, it was Gwyneth Lanyon, improving her results throughout the day who took the overall event honours, from Caitlin Thomas and then Finn Morgan.

ITCA Midlands Topper Traveller Series at Draycote Water: Gwyneth Lanyon, Event Winner - photo © Jessica Powell

For the 4.2's, this would be we had another strong field in attendance. Fleet wins would exchanged between Arthur Quinn and Katherine Gunn, with 4.2 Top honours eventually going Katherine, followed by the very consistent sailing of Imogen Green

ITCA Midlands Topper Traveller Series at Draycote Water: Katherine Gunn 4.2 Winner - photo © Jessica Powell

Congratulations go to Gwyneth Lanyon (Event Winner) and Katherine Gunn (4.2 Winner)

Look out for the 2021 Spring Series Report to follow soon.

Overall Results: