GJW Direct ITCA (GBR) National Topper Series NS1-South at Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club

Katherine Gunn wins the 5.3 fleet - GJW Direct ITCA National Topper Series NS1-South open meeting at Island Barn © ITCA

With the Topper World and National Championships been completed very recently, the ITCA GBR NS (National Series) Events were immediately back under way for the 2022/2023 season.

NS1 had originally been planned to happen at Carsington SC, however this became infeasible to run due to the low water level. Not wanting to cancel and with only 3 weeks to go the ITCA GBR team quickly set about finding an alternative venue along with taking the decision to split NS1 into two separate South and North Events so as to enable as many sailors to attend as possible with short notice.

Island Barn SC was the host for NS1 South Event on 17th/18th September with over 60 Topper Sailors in attendance and were greeted with 9-11 knots of breeze and bright sunny conditions. Along with the experience of our PRO; Sean Semmens and his team of mark layers; the sailors were all set for what was to be a great weekend of sailing.

Startline Action - GJW Direct ITCA National Topper Series NS1-South open meeting at Island Barn - photo © ITCA

Race 1 got under way on time and it was local sailor Rory Clow (Island Barn SC) who made his mark with a win just ahead of Sam Morley (Llandegfedd SC). Island barn was producing some very shifty North Westerly breezes and it would definitely be the sailors who could make the most of the shifts who were going to do well. Likewise, get it wrong and you could see 30 boats sail past you very quickly.

Oliver Smith (Poole YC) was the sailor who mastered the shifts in Race 2 with a strong win, followed by Katherine Gunn (Notts County SC) taking a second place, adding to the third place she had taken in Race 1. Further down the fleet, the results were looking mixed with challenging conditions delivering some excellent racing.

Into race 3 and Rory Clow would add to his Race 1 win, taking the honours with Race 2 winner; Oliver Smith following home in second place and with day 1 now over with three races completed, the sailors could now relax and enjoy the excellent hospitality laid on by the host club. Katherine Gunn was the overnight leader demonstrating that consistency was definitely going to be the key to winning the event.

Rory Clow and Oliver Smith would be looking to day 2 when the discards come in; where they would have a real opportunity to chase Katherine down for the event win.

Full Concentration - GJW Direct ITCA National Topper Series NS1-South open meeting at Island Barn - photo © ITCA

Day 2 would start with similar conditions with slightly more breeze in a similar direction. Our Race officer made a couple of adjustments to the course and the sailors were quickly under way for Race 4. There was a real bunching with over half the fleet arriving at the windward mark at the same time. Spectators had a great view of some amazingly close racing as sailors were looking to pick their way through and avoid collisions.

Katherine Gunn stamped her authority and took the Race 4 win by a convincing margin, followed by Seb Davies (Warsash SC).

For Race 5, the wind picked up a little as forecasted and the close racing at the windward mark continued with boats coming in port looking for a gap in the fleet of boats approaching on starboard. Again we had different winner in the form of Edward Smith (Spinnaker SC) sailing strongly during all of the four-beat race. In 2nd place was Dan Powell (Cardiff Bay) who was really getting to grips with the shifting conditions and putting in his best result of the event.

With 1 race to go, the consistency of Katherine Gunn throughout the event led the way with no result out of the top five and the only person who could mathematically catch Katherine being Seb Davies.

Race 6 started and it again be a very close race with the lead swapping places a number of times, it would not be until the third lap where the leader; Jessica Powell (Draycote) would break away and taking the race win. Katherine Gunn's second place in this race meant that she took the overall event honours.

Close Battle on the run - GJW Direct ITCA National Topper Series NS1-South open meeting at Island Barn - photo © ITCA

A special mention should also to Magnus Metcalf for his amazing third place in the last race of the day, which moved him well up the finishing order.

For the 4.2s it was a reduced number however this was still very hotly contested. It would be Ethan Rhodes (Warsash SC) taking 3 wins in the 4.2 class who would win overall, just one point ahead of local sailor MuEn Zhong (Island Barn SC).

Well done to Katherine Gunn (Overall Event) and Ethan Rhodes (4.2 classification).

Thanks must go the our amazing hosts, Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club for jumping in at the last minute to ensure the event took place and also thanks to our class sponsors GJW Direct, Rooster, Topper Sailboats, Optimum Time and Harken.

Entry is now open for NS1 North at Leigh and Lowton SC on Saturday 5th November. We look forward to you joining us there.

Ethan Rhodes wins the 4.2 Trophy - GJW Direct ITCA National Topper Series NS1-South open meeting at Island Barn - photo © ITCA

5.3 Fleet Results:

4.2 Fleet Results:

Katherine Gunn wins the 5.3 Trophy - GJW Direct ITCA National Topper Series NS1-South open meeting at Island Barn - photo © ITCA