Topper North East Traveller at Scaling Dam Sailing Club

Toppers at Scaling Dam © Ian Escritt

Toppers at Scaling Dam © Ian Escritt

Toppers at Scaling Dam © Ian Escritt

Having to scrape ice off the car before setting off to Scaling Dam didn't bode well, but how wrong can you be. We arrived on the beautiful North Yorkshire moors to be greeted by glorious sunshine and 20mph winds.

Usually at this time of the year we see a fresh batch of newly selected Zone Squad sailors, this year was no different, and in the challenging conditions it wasn't too surprising seeing many reefed and 4.2 rigs take to the water for the first race.

Race one was delayed whilst the PRO manfully tried to anchor his start boat. Eventually the race started in winds of 20 gusting 30mph.

Despite many new faces it was the experienced Will Tarn Chapman (Derwent) who took the start, first beat and eventually race, leaving series leader Tom Clayton (Scaling Dam), Ellie Brown (North Lincs), Joe Henderson (Sunderland) and Callum Escritt (Yorkshire Dales) to chase. Due to the extreme conditions the last lap was a snakes and ladders affair, everyone took a turn in second, third and fourth but it was Tom who followed Will then Ellie, Callum and Ellie Smith (Beaver). Unfortunately for Ellie she got the wrong side of a protest and was disqualified promoting the rest of the fleet up a place.

Lunch was a carb laden pasta dish which was more than welcome, as in the afternoon two back to back races were held.

Race two and a couple more 4.2 rigs appeared. Will T C and Joss Noble (Ullswater) won the start and with Will's smooth technique he again was never challenged. The same suspects were left to fight for the minor placings this time Callum took second then Tom, Ellie and Faye Wright (Sunderland).

Despite having the event wrapped up Will wasn't giving anything away and again demonstrated a master class of Topper sailing. Second place was still up for grabs and it was Tom and Callum who went toe to toe with the lead changing several times. The battle for fourth and fifth was equally tense this time Joe and Ellie swopping places. At the finish Will won then Callum, Tom, Joe and Ellie.

Arriving on shore the sailors looked like they'd sailed the Atlantic, happy but tired. Overall Will was dominant all day, Callum used his Grimwith technique (google it) to take second Tom third Joe fourth and Ellie B fifth.

Overall Results: