ITCA Rooster Southern Area Topper Traveller 2025 at Spinnaker Sailing Club
by Sally W,Lewis Miller,Henry Pashley,Emily Doughty 19 Mar 08:01 PDT
16 March 2025
ITCA Rooster Southern Area Topper Traveller 2025 at Spinnaker © Robert Klaschka
Perfect sailing conditions with sunny weather and a moderate north-easterly wind greeted 32 Topper sailors to Spinnaker Sailing Club on 16th March, with fifteen 5.3 and seventeen 4.2 sailors.
This was the first event of the ITCA Rooster Topper Southern area Traveller series 2025, with a total of nine events planned. More details of Rooster Topper Southern events are on the ITCA website.
As usual for Topper Open Meetings at Spinnaker, seven races were planned on a trapezoid course - the 5.3s on the outer loop and the 4.2s on the inner loop, with each race lasting around 20 minutes. Race Officer James Oborne was delighted with the wind direction, as the length of the lake could be used for the first beat. Shore-based parents could also get a close view of the gybe mark, with the frequent gusts making this a nail-biting spectator sport.
5.3 Fleet Sailors report by Lewis Miller (Spinnaker SC)
The opening event of the Topper Southern traveller series 2025 was eventful for the 5.3 fleet at Spinnaker Sailing club with a moderate wind throughout the day but with frequent shifts and lots of strong gusts. The first race of the day started with a very big shift on the start signal, which benefited those starting on port at the pin end - dividing the front and back of the fleet. The top boats traded positions frequently in very close racing with Lewis Miller finishing 1st, Henry Cruse 2nd and Thomas Robinson 3rd.
In the second race there was a clear port bias leading to four boats attempting a port flier, like the first race. However, they were stopped by other boats on starboard, with some near misses. The upwind mark was reached first by those who sailed on the right side of the course with more wind pressure, leading to big gains for Henry Cruse, Lucas Keen and Finlay Rhodes, who went on to win the race.
The course was increased to three beats and Race 3 had chaos on the start line with very close racing between the top three. Lewis Miller, in 1st place, manged to hold off Kristian Foltys and Phileas Rousselle.
The fourth race also began with a few attempted port fliers and more close racing followed in slightly stronger winds - everyone wanting to get a good race for their first discard of the day. Race 4 finished with Henry Cruse 1st, Phileas Rousselle 2nd and Finlay Rhodes 3rd.
The fifth race was slow off the start, with a lull in the wind, but built up at the windward mark. Here, Henry Cruse took the lead, which was taken from him later by Finlay Rhodes, with Kristian Foltys in 3rd.
The penultimate race began with a massive incredibly strong gust and more near misses with attempted port fliers. Then, the wind almost completely died with Henry Cruse 1st, Phileas Rousselle 2nd and Lewis Miller 3rd.
The final race was very windy - Lewis Miller leading from the start, until an unfortunate death roll on the last downwind leg. Race 7 results were - Phileas Rousselle 1st, Henry Cruse 2nd, and Kristian Foltys 3rd.
It was a very exciting day of racing thanks to Spinnaker Sailing club - the committee boat and safety crew made it a fun and memorable day for all the competitors.
5.3 Overall Results:
1st Henry Cruse, Draycote SC
2nd Lewis Miller, Spinnaker SC
3rd Phileas Rousselle, Hamble River SC
4.2 Fleet Sailors report by Henry Pashley (Hamble River SC), races 1-4
Despite the lack of tide, the gusty and shifty conditions proved very challenging. The 4.2s sailed well and competitively with Reuben Wealthy taking an early lead. Martha Hart and Emily Doughty were neck and neck throughout the day, competing for podium positions.
The bar was set high from the first start with Martha forcing Emily to tack on the line, leaving herself in clean air. The fleet was quickly divided with some stragglers not making it over the start line in the required 2 minutes. Also, gusty conditions meant capsizes were common. Many congratulations to Martha Hart on winning race 1.
The start in the second race was particularly good with many of the sailors hitting the line at full speed. Despite this, the sailors were very careful not to be OCS, leaving a large gap between themselves and the start line. Reuben had a substantial lead when it came to the finish. At the rear of the fleet, confusion occurred with some sailors not realising the change in laps to be sailed, therefore finishing NSC in races 2 and 3.
In races 3 and 4, Reuben won, in both closely pursued by Martha. Third place went to James Murray in race 3 and George Klaschka in race 4, each achieving their best result of the day.
4.2 Fleet Sailors report by Emily Doughty (Spinnaker SC & Hamble River SC) races 5-7
Race 5 was after lunch - the wind was forecast to get lighter, but this was slow to materialise and the gusts and lulls, often the case for Spinnaker, remained unpredictable and very extreme, often causing capsizes for both experienced and inexperienced sailors.
Emily Doughty was OCS at the start, meanwhile Reuben Wealthy and Martha Hart continued their battle at the front. Martha edged in front of Reuben at the top mark and continued her lead for the rest of the race. Reuben came second and Emily came third, after working her way up the fleet by using a fortunate left shift.
Race 6 saw lighter wind initially and a massive lull confused many sailors, with some not managing to start in the time limit. The wind slowly built back up until vicious gusts again caught out many. A big gust at the last gybe mark wiped out the two leaders of the fleet, Reuben and Martha, allowing Emily to catch up. A close battle followed between Reuben and Emily, with him seizing first place on the finish line.
Finally, for the last race of the day, Emily and Martha had good starts, but on the second beat, Reuben, closely followed by Joel, crept through and both defended their places to the finish.
At the end of racing, the galley had prepared an amazing snack tea, much to the delight of the hungry sailors. The Race Office team were pleased not to have any protest hearings.
4.2 Overall Results:
1st Reuben Wealthy, Stokes Bay SC
2nd Martha Hart, Hamble River SC
3rd Emily Doughty, Spinnaker / Hamble River SC
Full event results here
Many congratulations to all prize winners and thank you to the many volunteers and parents for your generous support. A massive thank-you to Race Officer James Oborne for another smoothly run event, especially with an ambitious racing schedule. Also, a special mention to Hamble River SC who had a hugely impressive 10 sailors competing and well done to all those competing in their first Open Meeting. Also, to Henry Pashley who helped on the committee boat; he hopes to be back out racing soon.
Thank you to Rooster who have provided generous sponsorship for the ITCA Southern area Series this year, all competitors were delighted to receive a Rooster Southern Series visor.
This was a fantastic start to the ITCA Rooster Southern Area Topper Traveller series, and we look forward to seeing many of you again at Event 2 on 11th May at Hamble River SC.