Topper Nationals at East Lothian Yacht Club - Overall
by Ian Escritt 6 Aug 2011 22:16 BST
30 July - 5 August 2011
Breeze on for final day
Nerves were going to play a major part in who would take the championship on the final day, and with the best wind of the week, would we see some new faces at the front? Laura Gilmore from Strangford Lough was defending a six point advantage over Matt Venables (Sutton), Giles Kuzyk (Parkstone) and Curtis Mearns were further three points down. The forecast of 12 to 20mph looked accurate as the Gold fleet launched in full on planning conditions. The unusual sight of reefed sails were to be seen, definitely a day for the heavy brigade. (OK – for the confused out there. The sailors are in three fleets, at this stage of the championship these are Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets based on results in the qualifying series).
Race one and Giles Kuzyk started to build pressure on his main competition by winning, Laura, Matt and Curtis all finishing outside the top ten. Thomas Williams and Ed Connellan found the conditions to their liking finishing second and third. In Silver some of the early pacesetters were finding it tough as the wind increased, however Chris Barnes (Leigh and Lowton) used his bulk to win from Joanna Barrie (Annandale) and Thomas Goodburn (Burghfield). James Cunnison (Emsworth Slipper) took the win in Bronze followed by Alexander Schuster-Bruce (Parkstone) and Joanne Foster (Dalgety Bay).
Giles was now in pole position and with his impressive high wind pace he could wrap it up with another solid performance, however a black flag meant he had to sit out race two of the day, which opened the door to the other contenders. Matt took his chance with a fifth but Curtis was also black flagged and Laura 26th. Robbie Robinson (Plymouth) was obviously glad to be sailing in more breeze to take the win Jamie Purcell (Leigh and Lowton) second and Ross McFarlane (Castle Cove) third. In Silver Finn Murphy (Portishead)recovered from his first race OCS with the first of his two wins of the day, Joanna Barrie proved she enjoyed the conditions gaining another second with Brendan Wood (Emsworth Slipper) third. Bronze race two winner was Patrick Morgan (Mumbles) with James “I like it windy” Cunnison second and Joanne Foster third. Nathaniel Gordon (Parkstone) was a contender for “finish of the week” he crossed the finish line upside down and possibly swimming, was this a rule 42 infringement?
With all to play for in the last race, it looked like a dual between Giles Kuzyk and Matt Venables. On the course we had 19mph of breeze, and a good chop, perfect sailing conditions to decide the winner. Josh Stone (Burghfield) and Tim Brow (Ballyholme) left Giles and Matt to fight it out coming in first and second behind them Giles sailed the perfect championship race to gain third and overall victory. In Silver, Finn Murphy won his second race and overall silver fleet victory, Bradley “I’m not over the line really” Hilton second and Chris Barnes third. In Bronze Joanne Foster won her second race Patrick Morgan second, which gave him overall victory and James Cunnison third.
Overall Results:
Gold
1st Giles Kuzyk
2nd Matt Venables
3rd Curtis Mearns
Silver
1st Finn Murphy
2nd Thomas Goodbourne
3rd Tom Hole