ITCA London and South East Topper Regional Championships at Shoreham Sailing Club

Jessica Powell wins the Topper L&SE Regional Championships at Shoreham © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

Shoreham Sailing Club hosted the L&SE ITCA Topper Regional Championships. A record entry of 39 Toppers were treated to fantastic sailing conditions with 12-18 knots north easterly without a cloud in the sky across the two days.

The competition was red hot with a strong turnout from the core L&SE racing fleet and guest appearances from the Midlands and East Region. Seven races were sailed across the two days providing great offshore experience for the many who are entered for the Topper Worlds in Cork and The Nationals in North Wales later in the summer.

Saturday the winds were light and shifty coming off the land, the starts were competitive however the fleet heeded the PRO warning of the black flag and apart from a couple of individual recalls were remarkably well behaved all weekend. The first two races were sailed on a trapezoid course.

As the second race finished the wind swung 45 degrees and built which also built the waves to enable some good surfing downwind. As the team reset the course it was also changed to a windward-leeward with a gate, which unfortunately caught out some competitors.

Harry Mitchell led the series for L&SE sailors at the end of day 1 with Rory in second place.

Amongst the non-L&SE sailors Jess Powel was leading with four firsts, followed closely by Kat Gunn.

Part of the fleet on Sunday - Topper L&SE Regional Championships at Shoreham - photo © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

On the Sunday, winds were more consistent, again the fleet disappointed the PRO and didn't allow him to use his favourite flag! The increase in wind made the downwind exciting with the unwary being caught out and tested the water temperature.

There was some very close racing throughout the whole fleet. Rory achieving two first places and two second places to secure his win of the event. In the girls Leah May managed a second and fifth winning her First Girl.

In the Non-L&SE sailors two Midlands guests Jess and Kat both turned in very impressive performances at the top of the leaderboard. In particular, well done to Jess Powell who took the prize for the first non L&SE sailor with seven first place finishes.

Huge thanks to Richard Harris and the whole team at Shoreham Sailing Club for hosting a truly fantastic event. We hope we'll be invited back next year!

Kat Gunn takes second in the Topper L&SE Regional Championships at Shoreham - photo © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

4.2 Fleet Results:

5.3 Fleet Results: