Topper Open at Fishers Green Sailing Club
by Simon Butterworth 9 May 2011 12:50 BST
7 May 2011
Race 3 starts at the Fishers Green Topper open © Bob Horne
Fishers Green SC welcomed twenty-two Topper sailors from across the Eastern region to their inaugural Open meeting on Saturday 7th May. The event was sponsored by Virtual Rigger – the new chandlery supporting dinghy and keelboat sailors across the Herts/Essex region.
Race briefing was planned for 10.30am and the first race to start at 11am – no wind, plenty of rain and even thunderstorms arrived – was the weatherman’s prediction wrong of a good breeze and lots of sun?
The first race was postponed until 11.30am whilst the intrepid Race Officer, Dave Beer and his trusty Assistant Race Officer, James Le Couilliard went out looking for a decent race course. They obviously have some good contacts as the sun came out and the wind started to rise to a steady F2-4 through out the day.
Start gun went and a clean start – Kathryn MacRitchie from Stewartby Water SC took an unassailable lead on the first beat and guided the fleet around the Holyfield Lake until she crossed the line first. She was followed by Hugh Braidwood, Tim Le Couilliard and Harry James who fought for 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively.
A few sailors found out that Fishers Green has a few islands – which Ella Waples from the Corinthian Otters realised too late but still picked up 5th and also the VR Outstanding Performance Race 1 prize for her endeavours.
Many of the sailors and safety crews were worried that lunch was going to be delayed as they could hear the fire alarm constantly on the water – was it the fleet captain’s wife cooking? Thankfully it was just a flat battery which was eventually identified and lunch could commence.
Race two and the sailors were getting more confident, maybe too much – one general recall but then everyone settled down for a clean start. Jack Knight from Ely SC led for the first lap and was closely stalked by the ‘Silent Assassin’ Hugh Braidwood. On lap two at the windward mark, Hugh rounded first and went on to get his first bullet with Jack and Kathryn MacRitchie finishing 2nd and 3rd.
Christina Allen was awarded the VR Outstanding Performance Race 2 prize for her fantastic effort after a difficult windward capsize which took her five minutes to right after asking for no assistance from safety and then racing from last place through to a great 14th place.
Race three – all to play for with Hugh and Kathryn with one bullet each and covering each other at the start line which allowed Harry James from Stewartby Water to launch his ‘port end flyer’ to cross the fleet taking the lead. Unfortunately he was closely followed by the overall top two boats and was eventually passed with Kathryn in the front once again. Was it going to be Kathryn’s day? Maybe the gods were looking elsewhere and after passing the press rib with a wave, tragedy struck and her boom came loose, which allowed Hugh to catch up and eventually take the lead to win his second race and the overall Open Trophy.
Jamie Gleaves who has recently joined FGSC, won the final VR Outstanding Performance Race 3 after sailing through most of his more experienced club sailors and he is still only ten years old.
Video of the day’s racing
Fishers Green Topper fleet only started two years ago with six young sailors and now we have a growing fleet of over fifteen. The club has renovated four disused Toppers, which they now have centre-main sheet system, spars and foils in tip top condition, new covers and much more. So a raffle was launched to help with some of the costs. The fleet captain ‘gently encouraged’ many of the marine suppliers so many thanks to the following companies who supported generously in the current economic climate: Crewsaver, Harken, Helly Hansen, Marlow Ropes, Musto, Navimo, Neil Pryde Sailing, ProBoat, Rain & Sun, Rooster, Seasure, Topper Sailboats and Zhik.
Nearly £300 was raised and maybe some consolation for Kathryn MacRitchie as she picked up the grand prize of the new Topper mainsail!
Comprehensive photo album of all the sailors can be found on Virtual Rigger’s Facebook page.
FGSC is enjoying its 50th anniversary this year and will be celebrated over the 18/19 June weekend – visiting yachtsmen/women are most welcome. Tickets and further information available on the club website.
Overall Results:
1st Hugh Braidwood (Beccles Amateur SC)
2nd Kathryn MacRitchie (Stewartby Water SC)
3rd Harry James (Stewartby Water SC)
4th Tim Le Couilliard (Fishers Green SC)
5th Jack Knight (Ely SC)
1st 4.2 rig, Isobel Stylianides (Stewartby Water SC)
1st Female, Kathryn MacRitchie (Stewartby Water SC)
Youngest Sailor, Max Robinson (Fishers Green SC)