ITCA Rooster Southern Traveller Series at Bosham Sailing Club

Bosham Topper Open © Nick Smith

Bosham Sailing Club hosted its annual Topper Open event and training day as part of the ITCA Rooster Southern Traveller Series. After the 2021 event was cancelled due to strong winds, this year's event saw breezy conditions again, but the sun shone and all participants had an action packed day.

Saturday 23rd saw low tide windy conditions for the ITCA training session. ITCA's brilliant coaches managed to get the boats out on the water in the morning for some heavy weather training and the afternoon was spent re-enacting racing starts on foot on the beach and fine-tuning rigs.

Bosham Topper Open - photo © Nick Smith

Sunday 24th was a full day of racing. Run from BSC's ancillary base at Cobnor Estate, the 23 boats from multiple clubs along the south coast were evenly divided into 4.2 and 5.3 fleets, as some sailors chose to rig down for the conditions. Launching mid-morning, with a strong wind behind them, the sail to the start was a sight to behold. Both fleets raced in the main Chichester Harbour channel just off the Thorney Reach giving spectators the opportunity to watch in the sunshine from the shelter of the northerly shore around Cobnor Point.

Bosham Topper Open - photo © Nick Smith

Sailing conditions were tricky, with the ENE wind touching 20kts in the gusts at times and a strong tide, ensuring that the rescue boats had plenty to keep an eye on. Race officer Piers Shepherd kept the race course adjusted as the tide came in, making full use of the available water, and both fleets achieved some fantastic close fought racing. Completing four races back-to-back required some stamina, and a high standard of sailing was shown by all. As the wind dropped down to around 12kts for the final race some new faces came to the front in the lighter breeze. The 5.3 fleet top spot was fought out between Ed Smith (Spinnaker Sailing Club) and Seb Davies (Warsash Sailing Club), each winning two races, with Ed taking the overall win. Sebastian Sitton (Warsash Sailing Club) was the clear winner of the 4.2 fleet, coming 1st in all four races.

Ed Smith wins the 5.3 fleet in the Bosham Topper Open - photo © Nick Smith

After all were safely ashore, sailors enjoyed their well-earned snack, drink and chocolate, whilst BSC Commodore, Paddy Mirams, presented Rooster vouchers and coveted BSC plates to the prize-winners.

Overall Results: