South West Topper coaching and racing at Paignton Sailing Club
by Vanessa Ripley 20 Jul 2022 05:54 BST
16-17 July 2022
South West Topper coaching and racing at Paignton © Steve Gilboy
This weekend saw the South West Toppers arrive at Paignton Sailing Club for a weekend of coaching and racing.
On Saturday morning the sailors were met with champagne conditions - sun, breeze and beautiful scenery. The three coaches of Jack Mitchell (RYA Regional Training Group Head Coach), Jack Miller and Mark Ripley split the sailors into three groups and they spent the majority of the day practising the little bits of sailing that each sailor felt that they needed to improve upon. The groups finished the day by taking part in some mini races practising the skills learnt earlier in the day.
The sun was shining for the racing day on Sunday. Four races were sailed and Thomas Semmens (Brixham Yacht Club/Paignton Sailing Club) with three firsts was the overall winner with Huw Beare (Starcross YC) coming second with three second places. Tom Smith (Stoke Gabriel Boating Association) came first in the smaller 4.2 sail. Joining the race course were also a pod of dolphins to the delight of the sailors and the mark laying team.
A fabulous weekend sailing on the beautiful waters of Tor Bay.
For any Topper sailor interested in further coaching and taking part in boat specific racing around the South West area, then please visit the Topper website, www.itca-gbr.co.uk
Those interested in learning to sail, then Paignton Sailing Club are running both a junior and adult learn to sail courses next month. Interested, then visit the website, paigntonsailingclub.co.uk