Topper Open at Arun Youth Aqua Centre

Action from the Topper open at Arun Youth Aqua Centre © Roger Elliman

Arun Youth Aqua Centre hosted its fourth Topper Open in West Sussex on Sunday June 12th. Attracting only 4 visiting sailors (a strong wind warning was in force for the local sea area). Conditions were forecast to be F4-5 increasing to 6 SW for a time before veering round to the NW later in the day. With 5 races scheduled the start of the first race was slightly delayed as Race officer Nick Elliman set the ‘P’ course with the 9 Toppers sailing out to sea, with two laps per race, only two races were completed.

In the first race in the lightest the wind conditions F4 SW to be experienced during the series Joseph Wellerd (CMYC) was clearly going to be the man to beat with his sister Bethany Wellerd (CMYC) coming second and the first of the host clubs boats James Millett third.

With the wind increasing to F5 SW by race two only four boats completed the two laps, Joe and Bethany leading the fleet home having experience some exhilarating reaches in a now increasingly building sea. The Safety crews were kept busy assisting the lighter and less experience sailors the Race Officer decided conditions were becoming too severe for the fleet and the remaining races were cancelled.

During a barbecue lunch at the Centre Joseph Wellerd claimed first prize with his 2 firsts, his sister Bethany second with 2 seconds, James Millett third. Jamie Forsdike (PYC) fourth and Heidi Clevett fifth.

Overall Results: