ITCA Rooster Southern Area Topper Traveller 2025 at Hill Head Sailing Club
by Finlay Rhodes 11 Sep 22:57 NZST
7 September 2025
ITCA Southern Area Topper Travellers at Hill Head © Bob Seymour
On Sunday 7 September 2025 the sixth Rooster Southern Traveller took place at Hill Head Sailing Club, attracting a fairly event split of 17 5.3 and 16 4.2 Topper sailors.
15 - 20 kts of breeze makde for great sailing and ensured, despite the tidal restriction, four races were sailed. Every sailor tried their best and did well. There are now two events left in the series with all to sail for!
In the first 5.3 race Henry Noel was leading the fleet around the race course with Finlay Rhodes following in second place all the way to the finish with a big group not far behind.
In race 2 the wind had dropped off and caught everyone by surprise. Finlay Rhodes shot out ahead on the first upwind with Henry Cruse in second and George Hyde not far behind in third place.
During race 3 Finlay Rhodes, Kristian Foltys and Henry Cruse were battling it out for second place until the second downwind where Finlay Rhodes caught a wave and managed to get ahead of them.
Race 4 started with Henry Noel getting tangled on the start line, letting most of the fleet get out early with a a head start. Despite being one of the last people to cross the line, he managed to catch up, finishing fifth, just behind George Hyde.
The 4.2s also had a great day racing, where it was Reuben Wealthy and Joel Keen battling it out for first 4.2. After three wins, Reuben came first overall. All of the 4.2 sailors did a fantastic job, having to fight hard throughout a tough day of racing.
HHSC live streamed the action to a new large screen TV in the club, appreciated by many of the parents.
Well done to all of the sailors, it was a very tiring, but fun day of racing!
Thank you to Hill Head Sailing Club for doing an amazing job at hosting this event and to the race committee, safety team, and all of the volunteers that make these events possible. Also a huge thank you to the Commodore Tim Johnson for the great prize-giving.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Club |
|---|
| 1st 5.3 | Finlay Rhodes | Warsash SC |
| 2nd 5.3 | Henry Noel | Warsash SC |
| 3rd 5.3 | Henry Cruse | Draycote Water Sc |
| 1st 5.3 boy outside top 3 & 1st Hill Head SC 5.3 | George Hyde | Hill Head Sailing Club |
| 1st 4.2 | Reuben Wealthy | Stokes Bay SC |
| 2nd 4.2 | Joel Keen | Stokes Bay SC |
| 3rd 4.2 | Martha Hart | Hamble River SC |
| 1st 4.2 girl outside top 3 | Eva Foltys | Warsash SC and Hamble River SC |
| 1st 4.2 boy outside top 3 | Thomas Murphy | Warsash SC and Hamble River SC |
| 1st Hill Head SC 4.2 | Emily Hyde | Hill Head Sailing Club |