Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

Topper Southwest Traveller Series at Paignton Sailing Club

by Amelie Ballantyne 27 Apr 21:51 PDT 20 April 2025

On 20th April 2025, lots of keen SW Topper sailors descended on Paignton Sailing Club for Traveller 2 of the ITCA race series. Many of the sailors had also taken part in a windy and wavy training session on the Saturday lead by Issy Smith and Mark Ripley.

Unlike the Saturday's training session that was very windy, by Sunday the wind had dropped but we still had huge rolling waves to play with. The wind was blowing from the east to start with, and the plan was to get four races in. Paignton is great for racing with many experienced race officials; we had committee boat starts and nice long races. Both the 4.2 and 5.3 fleets raced together.

Race one was led by Charlie Mackenzie and Tom Smith was close behind throughout: both had excellent starts and went on to gain first and second, with Eddie Phillips in third place. By the end of the first race the wind had shifted so the windward mark had to be moved giving us sailors time to refuel and chat. For the 4.2s Audrey Yang had an excellent race gaining first place Race two was also very close with Victory Montgomery leading for the majority, but Harry MacLeod and I were on his stern the whole time trying to take his wind. I took second and Harry third. Once finished, the wind had shifted again to south easterly, so the windward mark was moved yet again. It was a close race for the 4.2s in race two with Audrey gaining first place closely followed by Hattie Steel coming in second.

By race three the wind had really started to die off making racing very challenging and a game of patience and perseverance. Once again Victory led the way, but Charlie was back on his tail and George Reynalds come in third. Hattie on her 4.2 sail won the third race.

After yet another mark moving wait as the wind was playing with us, race four was really tricky with minimal wind and big pushing waves. Victory and I had good starts and managed to lead the whole race with Charlie close behind us coming third.

We all had a wonderful time at Paignton Sailing Club and received, as always, a very warm welcome from the hosts. We had a lovely prize-giving where everyone was given a well-deserved prize for their efforts - it was not easy sailing and several sailors become victims to bout of seasickness from the waves, including some of the adults! Thank you to the coaches and volunteers for helping. The next traveller is at Parkstone Yacht club but safe to say we can't wait to return to Paignton in the summer for NS5.

Overall Results:

5.3
1st Victory Montgomery
2nd Charlie MacKenzie
3rd Amelie Ballantyne
4th Harry MacLeod

4.2
1st Audrey Yang
2nd Hattie Steele
3rd Martha Shorter
4th Grace Mongomery

Related Articles

Topper North East Championship at Sheffield Viking
The first open event at the club for 12 years Recent history will show that Sheffield Viking have not held any open events for the last 12 years and so it was an absolute pleasure to welcome 20 Toppers for the NE Area Championships on the 31st May. Posted on 6 Jun
Still all to play for in the NEYYSA Series
Off to Pennine SC this weekend Sailors are gearing up for the next round of the North East & Yorkshire Youth Travellers Series which resumes at Pennine Sailing Club on Saturday 7 June after a short siesta over the half term period. Posted on 6 Jun
Topper Inland Championships at Derwent
The weather was on point with the wind picking on time like it was forecast Back again at a lovely Derwent reservoir for NS3. The weather was on point with the winds picking on time like it was forecasted. The race course was set for the 4.2 on the inner loop and the 5.3 on the outer loop. Posted on 6 Jun
Topper Coastal Championships at Plas Heli
Pwllheli is a great sailing venue but 97 sailors didn't see the best side of it With 79 sailors entered in the 5.3 rig it called for flights and ensured some good racing in some tricky conditions. Posted on 4 Jun
Bosham Sailing Club Junior Regatta
A gob-smacking 90+ entries tak part A gob-smacking 90+ entries for the Bosham SC Junior Regatta, aligned with a late high tide and a wedding marquee on the meadow normally used for rigging and de-rigging created a unique challenge to celebrate its newly acquired RYA Pathway Club status. Posted on 3 Jun
Starcross YC's George Eaton Junior Shield
Awarded to the sailor who has shown the greatest achievements outside of the club Awarded to the sailor who has shown the greatest achievements outside of the club, the George Eaton Junior shield has this year been awarded to Amelie Ballantyne. Posted on 25 May
Get your Early Bird Abersoch Dinghy Week entry in
This ever popular family week is open to all dinghy classes and fleets Entries are now over 60 boats registered, so thanks to all of you who have entered so far, but if you want to save a few bucks please enter before the early bird rate comes to an end on the 1st June. Posted on 24 May
Entries open for Parkstone Youth Week
Different from most sailing regattas - and now with a Roman Empire theme There will a Gladitorial display of sailing and fun off the water activities, encompassing the spirit of Ancient Rome, starting in just 12 weeks' time. So, as Caesar raises his thumb it is time for you to sign up to the highlight of the Roman calendar. Posted on 23 May
Topper Traveller Series at Parkstone
It was great to see a fleet of twenty 5.3s and six 4.2s out on the water On Sunday 11th May the third Traveller took place at Parkstone Yacht Club. It was great to see a fleet of twenty 5.3s and six 4.2s out on the water. The wind was about a force 4 - a nice breeze - and a bit shifty and gusty. Posted on 21 May
ROTTERs return at Ripon
25 sailors under 14 enjoy MarioKart sailing and other fun activities Following a successful Discover Sailing day on the 5th May Ripon Sailing Club's ROTTERs met at the club on 10th May for their next planned session and were joined by lots of new members, with 25 sailors between the ages of 4 and 14. Posted on 16 May
Mackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOMC-Tech 2021 SnuffAir 728x90 BOTTOMExposure Marine