Barton Rising Star Ralph Hadley Starts 2025 with a new Topper
by Barton Marine 13 Jan 12:00 GMT
Barton Rising Star Ralph Hadley Starts 2025 with a new Topper © Barton Marine
At Barton Marine we can think of many elaborate excuses to justify acquiring a new boat, but following an unfortunate mishap during transportation back from the ITCA London and South East Autumn Series, our Rising Star, Ralph Hadley found himself in need of a new hull - pronto - and had clear justification!
We all prepare for the unexpected out on the water, but don't expect a great weekend of sailing with a top result (third Championship overall) to turn into the need for a new hull on the way home! Thankfully with no injuries, attention focused on how to get Ralph racing again as soon as possible. In particular, back afloat in time for the following weekend's RTG Training. Time to pull out all the stops!
Topper International are based just up the road from Ralph's home and Barton's factory in Ashford, Kent so Ralph's dad, Chris took a trip to Topper for a thorough inspection of the damaged hull. Sadly, his red hull which has seen him successfully through his initial sailing journey was irreparable and out of production. Turning a new chapter on his sailing career, it was decided to purchase a new grey hull. Having recently progressed to the 5.3 fleet, Ralph now has factory fresh, modern, grey hull ready to go with the bigger sail.
The new hull has several advantages over his old one. Topper now manufactures their boats using roto moulding, instead of injection moulding, which means the hull is a little stiffer and will handle chop better, to provide a competitive edge. They also come with storage hatches fitted as standard.
Topper understand how upsetting it is to be out of action due to a damaged a boat, so try to keep a stock of hulls ready to get sailors back on the start line. They work closely with insurance companies to make the transition to a new hull as painless as possible and this came true for Ralph, with a seamless transition from one hull to another.
With the new hull secured, the next step was to install all the Barton gear Ralph uses to help get the best out of his Topper for race winning performances. Ralph uses a Barton Ratchet Block, Kicker system, Traveller system, 6:1 Downhaul, Swivel Block, Clew Strap and Windicator. With help from Barton team member Dave Hawkins, Ralph made it back onto the water within the week, bravely heading straight out into the ferocious winds of Storm Bert for RTG invitational training. Conditions easily handled by Ralph, the new Topper Hull and his Barton gear.
Ralph has really shone as Barton's Rising Star throughout 2024! At the Tankerton Bay Sailing Club Laying Up Supper, he was declared the winner of the Mono Hull Series (against adults) and awarded the Helmsman of The Year trophy, both of which date back to 1963.
He calculates that he has spent 650 hours on the water, travelled 9,000 miles to attend events and achieved many leaderboard topping results at the races he has competed at.
Russ Dent, Production Manager at Topper, spotted Ralph early on in his sailing debut and said, "I saw Ralph sailing at Tankerton when I was doing a Topper service day a while back. Even at his young age I could see he had talent! I spoke to his dad and helped Ralph on to a Topper 4.2 pathway. He has gone from strength to strength now sailing in the 5.3 fleet as of this year."
It takes a lot of effort and has involved many people, including family members, Topper International, The GBR ITCA Association, event hosting sailing clubs as well as our colleagues in the Barton team to achieve the sort of results Ralph has done, but his school, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, deserves a huge mention for being very supportive of Ralph's sailing talent and allowing him the possibility to attend races around his studies.
Looking forward to continued partnership with Ralph as Barton's Rising Star in 2025, Suzanne Blaustone, Barton CEO concluded, "Once in a while, the Universe lines up all the planets and stars to signal an extraordinary sailor emerging on the race circuit. Ralph is that incredible sailor and we are so proud to be associated with him, his family and friends to bolster his sailing efforts and skills. This is an adventure for all of us!"