Rooster Southern Autumn Topper Traveller Series at Oxford Sailing Club
by Roger Cerrato 3 Oct 2022 21:17 BST
1-2 October 2022
Oxford SC hosted the ITCA Southern Toppers over the weekend of October 1st & 2nd with the usual format of Training on Saturday followed by an Open on Sunday. Saturday's training entrants were tested in winds gusting over 20 knots so as well as speed tips for strong wind sailing many of them also practised their capsize recovery skills! Lots of fun had by all thanks to our great coaches.
On Sunday morning, whilst the south coast was enduring a soaking the 23 open entries arrived at Farmoor Reservoir to find dry but very light conditions. After a 1030am briefing the race team headed out onto the smaller than usual reservoir to set a course and keep their fingers crossed for wind...
Race 1 got away just after 1130 for the 14 strong 5.3 fleet who set off on a two lap outer loop trapezoid. Sensibly the nine 4.2 sailors were set a shorter single trapezoid course. Racing in both fleets was very tight with Clive Jackson winning the 5.3s and Oscar Lay leading the 4.2 fleet home.
By now the wind had died to nothing so after some discussion the decision was made to send the fleet ashore, can you guess what happened next...
Yes of course, as soon as the fleet approached the beach the breeze came back in so a gaggle of arm-waving parents directed the sailors back out towards the race area.
After a tight Race 2 Jake Davies took the gun in the 5.3s whilst Charles Wood won the 4.2s.
Race 3 was another light wind affair, with plenty of holes and shifts it was real snakes and ladders stuff! Clive Jackson was back in front to win the 5.3 fleet and Henry Noel took the 4.2 victory.
By now time was marching on so the PRO called it a day and sent the fleet in, time for the parents to get busy packing away!
Oxford SC commodore David Oughton presented Oxford SC glassware and Rooster Sailing vouchers to the winners as the sailors and supporters enjoyed the afternoon sunshine. Thanks to all at Oxford SC for your hospitality, we hope to be back in 2023!
The final event in our Autumn Series is at Warsash SC on October 15/16 and entries are open until October 9th via: www.warsashsc.org.uk/open-events/topper
4.2 Fleet results:
1st overall - Charles Wood (Warsash SC)
2nd overall - Oscar Lay (Desborough SC/IBRSC)
3rd overall - Henry Noel (Warsash SC)
1st girl - Megan Cerrato (Warsash SC)
5.3 Fleet results:
1st overall - Clive Jackson
2nd overall - Jake Davies (Warsash SC)
3rd overall - Tate Kump (West Wittering SC)
1st girl - Ella Harris (Weston SC)