Topper Winter Regatta and South East Traveller Round 1 at Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club

Race 1 start during the Topper Winter Regatta at Island Barn © Will Helyer

No less than 52 Toppers turned up at Island Barn, near Kingston, for the first South East Traveller of the 2024 season. This was a record turnout for this popular Winter Regatta, started 12 years ago.

A dead calm greeted the sailors on arrival, but with a three hour window of wind forecast between midday and 3, early lunch was taken so that 3 back to back races could be packed into that period.

Approaching the layline during the Topper Winter Regatta at Island Barn - photo © Will Helyer

A light breeze came in on cue at midday and Race 1 got under way. After a Winter of waiting, this was an impatient Topper fleet and half a dozen started prematurely at the pin end resulting in a general recall. The I flagged re-start was still very competitive, with three boats needing to return. This left Jake Davies, 15, from Warsash, to sail into an eight boat-length lead which he held to the finish. Sam Mason, 13, from Silver Wing finished second with Evan Hellyer, 14, from Aquasports close behind in third.

Jake Davies during the Topper Winter Regatta at Island Barn - photo © Will Helyer

With an I flagged start with Race 2, the fleet was more cautious and there was just one premature starter, who returned smartly. Race 2 was a much closer affair with Davies swapping the lead several times with Henry Cruse, 12, from Burghfield. Davis led at the last windward mark and just held the lead until the finish, with Cruse second and George Sumner from Island Barn, 3rd.

With the Open winner already decided with Jake Davies on two firsts,second place overall could be taken by Sam Mason, Henry Cruse, Evan Hellyer or Harry Dence. Fraser Ferguson,14, from Shoreham spoilt the party by leading from start to finish, with event winner Jake Davies second. Henry Cruse secured second place overall by coming in 3rd, just ahead of Callum Harris, 14, Shoreham and Harry Michell, 15, from Erith. And Fraser Ferguson's brilliant last race win lifted him into third place overall.

Fraser Ferguson during the Topper Winter Regatta at Island Barn - photo © Will Helyer

The Topper 4.2 Fleet raced with the main Fleet, and the 4.2 prize was won by Tom Brown, 13, from Papercourt with two firsts. Alexander Pemberton, 12, from Datchet was second 4.2 overall, one point behind Brown.

The Regatta Fleet for racing Beginners in Topper 4.2s was one by William Pipe from Waldringfield, and the Regatta Fleet Topper 5.3 prize was won by Dylan Thurgood from Island Barn whose starts were excellent throughout.

On the layline during the Topper Winter Regatta at Island Barn - photo © Will Helyer

The very welcome, three hour, spell of wind converted a potentially quiet day into an exciting 3 race event, with Jake Davies putting in a quality performance to win first place and the Barnstormer Trophy.

Particular thanks were given to the catering team lead by Polly Smith who brought the hot lunches forward by an hour and a half to allow full use of the short period of wind.

Prizewinners:

Main 5.3 Fleet
Ist Jake Davies, Warsash SC
2nd Henry Cruse, Burghfield SC
3rd Fraser Ferguson, Shoreham SC
4th Sam Mason, Silver Wing SC
5th Harry Dence, Island Barn RSC
6th Harry Mitchell, Erith YC
7th Calum Harris, Shoreham SC & IBRSC
8th George Sumner, Island Barn RSC

4.2 Fleet
1st Tom Brown, Papercourt SC
2nd Alexander Pembertion, Datchet Water SC
3rd Isabelle Simpson, Island Barn RSC

6.4 Fleet
Ist Erica Bishop

Regatta 4.2 Fleet
1st William Pipe, Waldringfield SC
2nd Rex Wright, Datchet Water SC
3rd Alfie Tollitt, Shoreham SC

Regatta 4.2 Fleet
1st Dylan Thurgood, Island Barn SC

1st Non Squad
George Sumner Island Barn RSC

1st Under 13
Henry Cruse Burghfield RSC

Overall Results: