Topper Travellers Open at Shoreham Sailing Club

Shoreham Sailing Club hosted Toppers Traveller in June, as part of the London and Southeast Topper Traveller Series. 25 boats attended and were presented with amazing and epic sailing conditions with a South westerly with F5 and huge seas following several says of winds, all with clear blue skies.

There was a high standard of racing at the top of the fleet, many sailors having sailed through the winter in Regional Training Groups.

The sailors headed out from the shelter of the inner harbour straight out to open sea. Immediately several boats capsized. And some were struggling even though many sailors had reefed or dropped to 4.2 sails.

Topper Travellers at Shoreham - photo © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

Over the day there were probably 100's of capsizes with some kids capsizing many times in each race especially as the day went on and kids become exhausted. There was a constant flow of toppers heading back into the club, but the majority stayed out showing amazing resilience to battle through the conditions.

Race 1 was appeared to have 2 guns on the line and sailor Leo Yates (Island Barn SC) thought he was over and headed back to take under the fleet. The fleet was led off the line by Ed Smith of Chipstead SC. The race was long with many changes in position, but Leo Yates worked his way up the overtaking 2nd place sailor Rhys Griffith of Shoreham SC on the reach fleet to finish 2nd overall behind Ed Smith who one the race.

Topper Travellers at Shoreham - photo © Oli Yates

Race 2, the start line was lengthened and great start by several sailors include Leo Yates at the pin end. Who lead the fleet up the first beat closely followed by Rhys Griffith. Leo held off the challenge and slowly increased his lead to win the race by half a leg.

Race 3 was similar to race 2, with Leo Yates at the pin end heading out to sea, as the wind headed and with south. The fleet followed Leo out to sea and then progressively taken to take the lift up the beat the windward mark. The battle for second place ensued with between Rhys Griffith and the lead was closely chased by Lily browning who finished 2nd and Rhys Griffith. Leo Yates continued to dominate the race and lead all the way to the end to finish first. Lily won the 2nd place battle to come 2nd and Rhys Griffith 3rd.

Topper Travellers at Shoreham - photo © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

Race 4 and final race proved exciting with a hug pile up at the pin end where by 1 boat failed to make the pin mark but decided to head up to get around the mark. In so doing hit the mark and caught many boats as the started the race and struggled to make the pin end. Leo Yates however avoided the ensuing buy a matter of meters and being further windward. Leo dominated the race by leading all the way round and finished nearly a leg ahead of second place boat Lily Browning.

Final results Leo Yates won with perfect score of 3 first places and 2nd place being the discard. Lily browning and Rhys Griffith were tied on points, with Lily browning getting 2nd by count back.

Topper Travellers at Shoreham - photo © Oli Yates

It was amazing day on the water with some fantastic sailing in champagne conditions. Congratulations to Leo Yates showing a convincing performance.

Big thanks to the rescue crews in ribs for constant and endless effort to monitor the race and encourage sailor to battle on.

A huge thank you goes to our hosts Shoreham Sailing Club for organising a brilliant event. We look forward to returning very soon.

Overall Results: