Topper Eastern Region Qualifier at Leigh-on-Sea Sailing Club

Prize winners from the Topper Open meeting at Leigh-on-Sea © Steve Corbet

Twenty-seven Toppers set out on to the waters of the Thames Estuary off Leigh on Sea on Saturday 21st May, the weather as the boats launched was fine with a moderate breeze, however by the time the first gun went the wind had picked up to fresh and a short sharp rain squall whipped up a short chop – difficult conditions for the youngsters not used to sea sailing.

At the first start the fleet were all too keen and a general recall was the result, the second attempt at the start with flag I flying resulted in a clean start for all but one boat who had to return round the pin end. Martin Evans quickly pulled out a good lead from Matt Underell with Tom Weatherhead and Richard Henderson slotting in the following places. The lower places saw some changing places as the short first race developed.

For race 2 the race team stretched and rearranged the course to allow for the increase and the swing of the wind. Matt Underell set the pace up the first beat to lead Martin Evans at the top mark, Richard Crocker took the third slot with Tom Weatherhead fourth. On the second round the leading places did not change but Tom Weatherhead passed Richard Crocker to take third place.

Before the start of race 3 the race team made more changes to the course, the wind picked up to force 4 to 5 with some gust just hitting force 6, the waves built up to about 1m high – a very short chop. The race started Martin Evans leading Matt Underell , on the first run Matt Underell passed Martin to take the lead, despite trying hard martin was unable to get back in front and at the line Matt lead by less than 1m!!. Further down the fleet the strong wind was causing some of the helms some difficulty, at one time 6 boats were capsized and in the difficult conditions some of the youngsters were unable to right their boats unaided – the support boats brought three helms to the committee boat for a rest while their boats were towed in.

Overall Matt Underell took first place with Martin Evans second, Tom Weatherhead was consistently third, Hannah Carter was the first girl in sixth place, Cathy Brassington was first adult in 9th place and the youngest to complete all three races was Joshua Gosling.

Overall Results: