ITCA Midlands Topper Traveller Series 2022-23 Round 8 at Draycote Water Sailing Club

Close downwind racing during ITCA Midlands Topper Traveller Series 2022-23 Round 8 at Draycote © Mark Dunkley

Windward mark bunching during ITCA Midlands Topper Traveller Series 2022-23 Round 8 at Draycote © Mark Dunkley

The final round of the 2022/2023 Midlands Topper Traveller Series took place at Draycote Water Sailing Club on 22nd April 2023.

Draycote is the largest of the venues on the Midlands Topper Traveller calendar and attracted sailors to enter from the North, South, Eastern and Wales regions. Following on from a week of blustery conditions, the forecast was expected to be a light 7-9 knots in a South Westerly direction enabling the race officer to set a large trapezoidal course that would give our sailors the experience of the size of course expected at National Events.

With the series 1st (Jessica Powell - Draycote) and 2nd Place (Katherine Gunn - Notts County/Draycote) now decided, this event would be a decider as to who would be take the final place on the podium with the likely sailors being either Jasper Focardi Dolling (Dovey YC) or Chloe Grayton (Notts County SC).

The 4.2 Classification was even closer with the three sailors of Ed Whittaker (Draycote), Hari Clark (Draycote) and Alex Chadborn (Notts County) in the running for the top spot with only 2 points separating all 3 of them going into the last event.

With winds being light to start with and set to build slightly during the day, the race officer AP'd the start for a short time, then got the sailors under way in the first race as soon as possible. It was visiting North sailor; Jasper Bramwell (Hollingworth Lake) who would take the early lead in Race 1 followed by Clem Middle (Draycote) in 2nd and a battle for 3rd between Dilara Soyer (Draycote) and Jasper Focardi Dolling (Dovey YC). Clem dropped down the leader board, due to having to complete a 360º penalty at the leeward mark. Jessica Powell (Draycote) was making up ground and moved from up to 2nd place on the 2nd beat and started to close on Jasper Bramwell with Clem, recovering well after the penalty turn, moving back into 3rd place. These positions would not change as the race drew to conclusion with Jasper Bramwell taking race 1 honours.

Ed Whittaker (Draycote) had led the 4.2 classification for most of race 1, but a small error on the final beat dropped him down the pack letting fellow Draycote sailor, Hari Clark in to take the result.

Startline action in ITCA Midlands Topper Traveller Series 2022-23 Round 8 at Draycote - photo © Mark Dunkley

Following a short lunch break, Race 2 started and the wind dropped considerably. Jasper Bramwell continued to lead the pack away, with Clem, looking to improve on her 3rd in the first race moving into strong 2nd place. Jasper Focardi Dolling was having a strong day, looking to take 3rd in the Series who moved into 3rd place in the race. The wind continued to drop and at one point, it looked like the race would need to be abandoned, however just enough wind returned to enable the race to continue with Jasper Bramwell winning from Clem; 2nd and Jasper Focardi Dolling 3rd.

Race 3 started in light winds, with Jasper Bramwell looking to clinch the event with 3 straight wins, moving into the lead with Katherine Gunn (Notts County SC) 2nd and Jessica Powell in 3rd place. As the sailors progressed to the windward mark, the wind totally dropped and shifted which resulted in some strange late tacking from sailors who thought they had made the lay line. The race officer made the decision to shorten course after 1 lap, finishing at the leeward mark. Jasper Bramwell kept his cool and had a commanding lead, taking his 3rd race and event honours with Katherine and Jessica duelling for 2nd place. It would be Katherine who would just beat Jessica into 2nd place, putting her into contention for an event podium place.

In the 4.2 Classification, with very light and difficult conditions, Thomas Matthews (Grafham Water SC) was stamping his authority with a win in both the 2nd and 3rd race moving him ahead of Hari in 2nd.

Going into race 4, the wind lifted slightly which would see the two Jasper's battling for the lead with Jessica in 3rd. Jasper Bramwell would sneak ahead of Jasper Focardi Dolling and hold this position to the finish, with Jessica maintaining her 3rd place.

With all the races now completed, Jasper Bramwell, with an excellent 4 straight wins took the event honours with Jessica Powell in 2nd. Jasper Focardi Dolling took his first podium finish of the series, finishing 3rd meaning he would also take 3rd place overall in the series.

The 4.2 classification was won by Thomas Matthews with very strong sailing in the small rig in light winds, followed by Hari Clark in 2nd. This result promoted Hari to top honours in the Series 4.2 classification in the series.

The award for the "Top Topper True Grit" award was presented by the event coach, Rachel Heggs to Laurie Lamb for helping other sailors on the water in the challenging conditions. - Well Done!

Congratulations to Jasper Bramwell (Event Winner), Thomas Matthews (4.2 Winner) and our "True Grit" Topper Sailor; Laurie Lamb.

Prize winners in ITCA Midlands Topper Traveller Series 2022-23 Round 8 at Draycote - photo © Michael Powell

Thank you to Draycote Water SC for a superb and excellently run event and to the race officer for setting the sailors such a great course.

Thanks also to our event Sponsors; Topper Sailboats; Rooster and GJW Direct for their support throughout 2022/2023 Midlands Topper Traveller Series.

A special reach out to Russ Dent (Topper International) who attended the event and was on hand with any Topper spares/repairs along with providing any Topper Technical Tips to our sailors - thank you.

Look out for a separate series Yachts and Yachting report following soon.

If any Junior Midland Topper sailors are interested in participating at the ITCA Midlands Traveller events, it is a great opportunity to enter a friendly and local race series. Please contact us on the email address if you would like any more information.

Overall Results: