This page shows all the news from last year:
Craftinsure Nationwide Series 2006 Overall
Craftinsure Nationwide Series 2006 - Full Results
South East Sailor Overall Results - 15th Alex Grassick, 38th Freddie Connor, 46th Alex Groves, 53rd Stephanie Wicken, 56th Frazer Clarke, 60th Joe Wellerd, 72nd Julia Beck, 79th Georgia Trapp, 81st Jordan Taylor, 84th Max Richardson, 87th George Spedding, 91st Ben Slater, 93rd Ben Palmer, 106th Bethany Wellerd, 114th Alexander Le Gassick, 127th Alison Baldwin, 139th Helen Baldwin, 143rd Matt Symons, 147th Caroline Baldwin, 154th Tom Walker, 156th Tom Richarson, 163rd Charlie Beck, 165th Naomi Fenton-Jones, 175th Charlotte McCarthy, 203rd Caroline Cook, 206th Hannah Thomas, 219th Peter Grassick, 252nd William Bovington, 271st Tessa Groves and 281st Charlie Runcorn.
Nationwide Six - Derwent Reservoir
Overall Results - Full Results
South East Sailors Results - 16th George Spedding, 18th Frazer Clark, 31st Stephanie Wicken, 46th Bethany Wellerd, 56th Mathew Symons, 63rd Helen Baldwin, 64th Caroline Baldwin and 65th Tom Richardson.
Report - The last of the six 2006 Craftinsure Topper Nationwide Series convened at Derwent Reservoir SC on 22/23 October. 70 sailors and their families from 46 different clubs enjoyed a great welcome and open hospitality from DRSC co-ordinator Richard Startup and his faultless team.
ITCA’s Principal Race Officer (PRO) Howard Steavenson (Tynemouth SC) patiently explained to the expectant gathering his plans for the weekend and the need for alternatives to the traditional “trapezoidal” arrangements owing to local conditions - “engage brain” was suggested.
Race 1 was promptly laid as a “P” course , and was quickly devoured by current World Champion Andrew Brown (Budworth) chased by Alastair Lucas (Avon SC), Matt Johnson (Gt Moor) and Nathan Ackroyd (Norfolk Broads YC), and an excellent 10th for Zone squaddie Adam Walker (Staunton Harold SC).
Race 2 spiced up the variety with 2 laps of a “figure of 8” course using club marks. With text book lead-boat driving by Richard Startup the fleet enjoyed the challenge. Andrew Brown again set the pace from Alastair Lucas, Andrew Salt (Chelmarsh SC) and Emily Jackson (Elton SC).
After reacting to another change in wind pattern the PRO set a longer figure of 8 course around local club marks in the fresh 3-4 SW wind which tested strength and mental stamina for over an hour, producing a win for Andrew Salt from Alastair Lucas. Emily Jackson produces another outstanding performance finishing in 4thplace, on her way to being first girl overall (6th).
With the first day’s sailing completed the evening entertainment was enjoyed by many, as Trident’s Jackie Gebhard led games in the club house. Meanwhile PRO Steavenson sought feedback and advice from competitors for the remaining race programme.
Sunday’s winds showed 26 mph+ on the club dial, but without hesitation the racing commenced. Sterling work was done on the beach getting competitors safely launched, particularly by Anna Ackroyd and Harriet Patience.
The fourth race was a 3 lap trapezoidal in very gusty and difficult winds. Despite many sailors reefing, 31 boats in total didn’t score, 22 failing to start and 9 others failing to finish. No problems for Andrew Brown who again lead home from Alastair Lucas and Matt Johnson. Credit to Alex Leonard (Sheffield Viking SC), who kept going in his first Nationwide to be among the 48 sailors to finish all six races.
During the fifth race, a 4 lap trapezoidal course, the wind dropped and sailor’s were seen to be taking reefs out whilst racing down the run, but at the front the pattern was already set for the day.
Race 6 was set around club-marks once more. Lead boat driver, and new Topper dad, Ian Trotter was worried that with Andrew Brown so far ahead, the rest of the fleet would take a short cut. On the final run Andrew capsized, recovered, and sailed on uncaught.
Rescue co-ordinator Norman Tate commented later how impressed he was with Topper sailors’ abilities, and with their determination for self assistance. ITCA’s Assistant Race Officer (ARO) David Matthews (Sunderland YC) nominated the Sportmanship prize to James Minshall (Tarbet YC) after he volunteered an admission of making a course error during the first race of the series.
Andrew Brown gave a good speech as he received the Trophy from Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club commodore Jon Watson.
RYA and ITCA Squad Announcements
RYA National Junior Squad
Freddie Connor, Jordan Taylor and Julia Beck.
ITCA National Youth Squad
Alison Baldwin, Olivia Bell, Suzannah Bell, Naomi Fenton-Jones, Peter Grassick, Bethany Wellerd and Catherine Whitehill.
RYA Zone Championships at Bewl
Results - 1st Freddie Connor, 2nd Julia Beck, 3rd Jordan Taylor, 4th Frazer Clarke and 5th George Spedding
South East Open Area Training
2006/2007 South East Open Training Plan - Shows proposed Open Training Dates
Medway YC - 15th October 2006
Topper sailors are invited to apply for this ITCA South East regional race training for improvers to advanced racers.
All sailors must be competent to sail a triangular course.
Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis (up to 30) and applications are requested 14 days in advance by 1st October in order to assist the organisation of the event.
For late entries or questions about the training, please contact SE Area Rep Jo Wicken on 01474 822844 or jo@wicken.net
Freddie Wins Overall South East Traveller Series
Results - 1st Freddie Connor, 2nd Max Richardson, 3rd Jordan Taylor, 4th Ben Slater and 5th Julia Beck
Freddie Wins Island Barn
Results - 1st Freddie Connor , 2nd Jordan Taylor, 3rd Max Richardson, 4th Alex Grassick and 5th Ben Slater
Photos - South East Topper Photo Album
Y&Y Report -
43 Toppers, 35 in the main fleet and 8 in the Regatta Fleet, were rewarded for their journey with blue skies and a fitful Force 2, which would favour the lighter sailors.
The course was a trapezoidal and five races were scheduled, four to count.
All the top contenders for the South East Traveller Trophy were here to compete for this prestigious title in the final meeting of the series.
The Race 1 start was hotly contested. 2 boats were too keen and were called back. Freddie Connor, the Irish National champion from Bexhill, rounded the windward mark first and gradually extended his lead to win by 40 metres from Ben Slater.
Connor repeated this feat in Race 2, putting himself in a very strong position for the day. Jordan Taylor took the second slot.
The wind increased to Force 3 for Race 3. Alex Grassick, the tallest sailor in the fleet, used his power well and built up a commanding lead in Lap 1. In Lap 2 the wind dropped and Freddie Connor chipped away at Grassick's lead. The wind dropped more and the race was shortened to 2 laps. Grassick held on to win from Connor and Max Richardson.
Surely a 1,1,2 would seal it for Connor - but wait. 2 boats were over at the start in race 4 and one was Connor. With an I flag flying Connor had to round the Committee boat and give chase. By the windward mark on lap 2 Connor had taken the lead which he extended to the finish, to take the Meeting. Max Richardson took second in this race.
Race 5 was the closest of the day. On the final lap, on the top reach, Taylor surged past Connor and Richardson. All 3 rounded Mark 2 together, with Charlotte McCarthy very close behind this bunch. Connor gained an inside overlap on Taylor at Mark 3, to take the lead which he held to the finish, to take the Meeting with a perfect score of four firsts. Taylor held off a spirited challenge from Max Richardson, to take second in this final race and also second for the Meeting, on count-back, from Richardson.
First female was Charlotte McCarthy in a fleet where females unusually took 6th,7th, 8th, 9th, 10th ,12th and 13th places.
The regatta fleet was won by Tom Howard with a perfect score of 3 points from Joshua Hobbs.
Max Wins Chipstead
Results - 1st Max Richardson, 2nd Freddie Connor and 3rd Paul Grace
Overall Results - To Follow
Photos - South East Topper Photo Album
Y&Y Report - The 11 visitors who joined 19 home boats may have been anticipating, as in all the preceding years that most competitors could remember, another relaxing day on Longford Lake. However, the SW breeze was supplemented by strong Southerly gusts which tested the competitors' skill and agility, and as the wind steadily increased, peaking in excess of 30mph, conditions also tested strength and stamina.
Race one saw Max Richardson of Hastings and Freddie Connor from Bexhill pull clear of the pack with the lead constantly swapping throughout the race. Max emerged the eventual victor by a short foredecks length after 1¼ hours of racing. First home sailor was Paul Grace in third.
In race two Chipstead sailors Andy Savell and Andrew Bowes started well at the pin end, with Bowes rounding the windward mark first, followed by Freddie Connor. With Connor's off-wind speed this order soon changed, and Freddie pulled out a comfortable lead that allowed recovery from capsize to finish ahead of Bowes and Grace.
The final race saw Harry Savell follow Bowes up the first beat ahead of Andy Savell. South coast visitors Ben Slater, also from Bexhill, Richardson and Connor, displayed immense determination as they battled past the duelling Savell family. But local Laser hotshot Andrew Bowes appeared to have a comfortable lead until on the last run he was hit by a ferocious Southerly gust, the ensuing capsize allowing Richardson, Connor and Slater through. The race finished in this order with Harry Savell first local boat home ahead of Bowes and Savell senior. An exciting finish to a day of Toppering at its best.
North Berwick Nationwide
South East Sailors Results - 40th Julia Beck, 63rd Stephanie Wicken, 67th Georgia Trapp, 77th Jordan Taylor, 80th Alexander Le Gassick and 83rd George Spedding.
Y&Y Report - 111 Toppers braved the forecasts and assembled on the green in North Berwick for the fourth Craftinsure Topper Nationwide event of the season. Whilst there was a threat of rain in the air the breeze was a pleasant 12 knots blowing from the south.
Principle Race Officer, Jim Sinclair, opted to start the fleet all together to sail around a trapezoid course with a number of outer loops. Once the fleet were afloat Jim got them away quickly with a clean start with just a blue peter, would this set a trend? With the beat into the shore it was those that worked the shifts that managed to do well. Andrew Salt rounded the windward mark with a nice lead followed by Jack Hopkins and Andrew Brown. All three leaders opted for the right-hand leeward gate which seemed to pay, but it was Jack who popped to the front by the next windward mark and on to take the bullet with Andrew Brown in second and Salt in third.
With the wind shifting left all the time the second start was a little port biased and those at the pin got away nicely. Jack hit the front with Michael Wood second and hard on their heels, was Andrew Brown after taking a penalty turn at the start. As Jack went through the finish no gun sounded, and when Michael received no gun Andrew started to think...and noticed that an extra loop was required, and hardened up. However, many of those some way behind saw what was happening and quickly altered course, thus allowing others to have some fun at the front of the fleet with Moray Clark leading the way home, Heledd Brown in second and Lynn Billowes third.
By the third race the breeze had built to 16 knots from the South-East with a nice 3ft swell. Following a couple of starting attempts ,one of which was postponed due to a moving committee boat, the fleet got away. Max Robinson revelled in the conditions and posted a fine win followed by Harry Cheatham and Michael.
Sunday dawned with a fine drizzle and very little wind. Jim waited until 12:15 to see if any wind would arrive and with none in sight decided to abandon for the day. Therefore the winner of the Craftinsure event was Harry Cheetham, with Andrew Brown second, and third Ngaire Strawbridge.
At prizegiving, Miles Palmer, Chairman of ITCA, thanked East Lothian YC and particularly Eric Robertson as Commodore, for their wonderful hospitality. The Toppers will look forward to coming back next year for the nationals which will be on 5th to 10th August.
Freddie Wins Irish Topper National Championships
Y&Y Report - The Irish Ferries Topper National Championships took place at Wexford Harbour Boat and Tennis Club from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th August. The 74 strong entry included a 12 strong British team led by British national coach Dave Cockerill.
Day one got off to a good start with two races run off very efficiently by PRO Mike Doyle and his Race Committee in moderate winds and good weather. Race one was won by Freddie Connor from the GBR squad with the Doran brothers Simon and Philip from Courtown Sailing Club both securing top ten finishes. World champion Andrew Brown GBR won race two, with Chris Penney of Carrickfergus second. Following lunch by the wind died and racing was eventually abandoned for the day.
Day two got off to a more promising start with four races scheduled. The wind was slightly stronger, force 3-4, but conditions deteriorated with some heavy showers during racing. A combination of a strong tide and eager competitors resulted in a general recall and a black flag for the first race. Another general recall under the black meant that all further races on day 2 were blackflagged. Despite some testing conditions the full schedule of four races was completed with winners on the day being Chris Penney (3), Andrew Brown (4), Freddie Connor GBR (5) and Jack Hopkins GBR (6).
The final day saw a change to the SIs to allow an earlier start with first gun at 10:30am and three races scheduled. Although winds were again light Mike Doyle and his team ran 3 races to complete the nine race series. Winners on the last day were Chris Penney (7 and 9) and Mike Wood GBR (8).
In the National Championships Chris Penney, 2nd overall, secured the Championship from Simon Doran (6th). Maria Dolan from Blessington was 12th overall and the Irish Lady National Champion. The overall Open winner was Freddie Connor, with Emily Hopkins taking the leading lady prize, both from the GBR squad. See the full results.
Eddie Malone of main sponsors Irish Ferries presented prizes in the various categories. Irish Sailing Association medals were presented by Sean Craig of the ISA to Chris Penney (Gold), Simon Doran (Silver) and Philip Doran (bronze, 7th overall) as part of the National Championships. Eoin Brennan of Wexford Harbour BTC finished best local boat. Other prize winners included Catherine Molloy, East Down YC (most improved Helm) and Finn Lynch, Blessington (youngest competitor). Vice Commodore of WHBTC Des Tyrell and the Chairman of the Irish Topper Class Association Graham Wright both spoke on behalf of their respective Groups.
The Organising Committee chaired by Paul Ebrill, the Event Organiser, deserve great praise for running a very efficient and enjoyable event both on and off the water.
Thanks are extended to the Sponsors, Irish Ferries, O2, Topper International, Lucozade Sport, Cascade Designs, Duggan Shopfitters, Celtic Linen Group, Stable diet, Shaws Department Stores, Larry Duggan, Crescent Seafoods Ltd, Colman Doyles and Impression Print.
Magic Marine Topper National Championships
Gold Fleet - 5th Max Richardson, 7th Alex Grassick, 14th Ben Slater, 16th Freddie Connor, 22nd Alex Groves, 27th Tom Walker, 36th Ed Cowell, 45th Joseph Wellerd, 53rd Jordan Taylor, 67th Ben Palmer, 75th Julia Beck, 81st Frazer Clark, 90th Charlotte McCarthy and 110th Mary Fenton-Jones
Silver Fleet - 10th Catherine Whitehill, 15th Alison Baldwin, 36th Stephanie Wicken, 37th Dominic Wilson, 48th George Spedding, 58th Alexander Le Gassick, 62nd Peter Grassick, 72nd Bethany Wellerd, 87th Naomi Fenton-Jones, 101st William Bovington, 104th Matthew Symons, 107th Helen Baldwin, 110th Tom Richardson, 112th Jonty Freeman and 116th Hannah Thomas
Regatta Fleet - 8th Edward LeGassick, 9th William Grassick and 19th Emily Wilson
Full Results - Gold Fleet
Full Results - Silver Fleet
Full Results - Regatta Fleet
Y&Y Report - A new record of 289 sailors attended the Magic Marine Topper Nationals at Weymouth. The main fleet of 263 was set to sail a qualifying series of up to 8 races over the first three days and a championship series for the remaining 3 days, with a total potential 16 races over 6 days scheduled. Bleddyn Mon, the current National Champion and recent runner-up at the Topper World Championships on Lake Garda, was for the first time in the modern era endeavouring to retain his title.
The Regatta fleet of 27 sailors had a packed week of sailing and activities, organised by the irrepressible Arthur Marshall. This included two races a day, trips to Castle Cove and Chesil Beach amongst other fun races and silly competitions.
The main fleet was split up into four flights for the qualifying series, with each set to sail against each other over three days. The first day of qualifying, Sunday, saw relatively light conditions of 8-12knts and 3 races for each flight were completed, race winners included Ben Palmer, Andrew Brown, Bleddyn Mon, Phil McCoy and Anna Piggot. Day two was also light and the PRO Frank Newton could only manage one set of races in the light and changeable conditions, with Bleddyn and Richard Cumpsty taking the bullets.
Now with only 4 races out of 8 completed, Frank agreed to try and complete a further 4 in the last day of qualifying. The competitors arrived early to see a pleasant NE, but this soon died and it was not until 12:00 when the fleet launched in to a 10Knt Sea breeze from the SW. The stayed consistent for the day and 4 races were completed inside the maximum time allowed. Race winners included Michael Wood, Phil McCoy, Felicity Foulds, Max Richardson, Andrew and Bleddyn. The race organisers were amazed to see that even after four races much fun and games was had with the Human Table Football, Surf Simulator and bungee run that evening – there is no stopping the Topper fleet when it is having fun.
Wednesday was the start of the Championship Series – so the top 132 sailors were allotted to the Gold fleet and the remainder for the silver, with each sailor carrying over 50% of their qualifying series score as non-discardable points. Bleddyn Mon was leading the event carrying over just 3.5pts, then Andrew with 8 and in third position Freddie Conner with 11pts. 3 races were completed that day in fresh conditions that by the last race averaged 18Knts with gusts up to 22. Race winners were Bleddyn Mon (twice) and Tom Gillard, with Andrew Brown posting 2 seconds.
Thursday was again breezy and the first two races ran to form with Andrew and Bleddyn each taking a bullet. However, madness overtook the gold fleet and many were adjudged OCS, allowing Lynn Billows to post a bullet. Friday, the last day of competition, was to be the day of reckoning, Bleddyn needed to post a single top 5 result to retain his title from a hard pressing Andrew Brown. During the first beat a large shift to the left meant that the favourites struggled, letting the 2004 Inland Champion Tom Gillard take the bullet. However, Bleddyn made no mistake in the final race winning it comfortably to become the Magic Marine Topper National Champion 2006. Andrew Brown was second overall and Tom Gillard third.
At the prize giving, Frank Newton PRO and Richard Stevens paid tribute to the sailors and thanked them for a challenging and pleasant week. They judged that the Silver fleet were the cleanest starters, which was won by Dan Horner with Caroline Cook in Second and Alex Carr in third.
The new 4.2 sail Topper for smaller sailors was a great success in it second year and will be remembered this year by Tom Piggot crossing the whole fleet (including the larger 5.3m sails) on port. Tom was 97th in the Silver fleet. I am sure it will not be long before we see a 4.2 in the Gold fleet.
The Regatta fleet was won by Henry Morgan with Jonathan Verity and Dylan Strawbridge second and third respectfully.
Bleddyn in his acceptance speech thanked: all the office, safety and rescue teams (manned by parents and supporters) without which such an event cannot be staged, Welsh Yachting, Magic Marine as event sponsor, his coaches in particular Dave Cockerill and WPSNA, and finally thanked the class for all of the great events that he has competed in, as this was Bleddyn’s final Topper event.
Written By Miles Palmer
Hastings
Results - 1st Alex Grassick, 2nd Ben Palmer and 3rd Freddie Connor
Overall Results - Please Click Here
Photos - South East Topper Photo Album
Jordan wins Papercourt
Results - 1st Jordan Taylor, 2nd Naomi Fenton-Jones and 3rd Hannah Lytton
Photos - South East Topper Photo Album
Report from Y&Y
An entry of 26 Toppers took to the water at Papercourt for this South East Traveller Open on Sunday 16th July. The event was sailed in a steady breeze and was sponsored by Guildford Marine.
The first race was led from start to finish over the two laps by Jordan Taylor closely followed throughout by Alison Baldwin. William Bovigton, Catherine Whitehill and Hannah Thomas always had the leaders in sight and at the finish the top four were Taylor, Baldwin, Thomas and Whitehill.
Race two saw a battle for the lead between Naomi Fenton-Jones and Taylor with Hannah Lytton leading the chasing pack including Finn Caigher-Smith and Baldwin. After a great scrap Taylor finished first from Fenton-Jones with Lytton 3rd and Caigher-Smith 4th.
Race three saw another win for Taylor, with Baldwin, Lytton, who had moved up from 8th, Fenton-Jones, Alexander Le Gassick and Whitehill, who all had the leaders in sight throughout, in contention. At the finish the top four were Taylor, Lytton, Fenton-Jones and Baldwin.
Taylor again took the honours for the final race, leading all the way. Behind the leader were Caroline Culwick, Fenton-Jones, Jenny Snow and Baldwin. At the finish the four leaders were Taylor, Fenton-Jones, Culwick and Snow. Jordan Taylor was the worthy overall winner of this well run event.
Gold Fleet - 4th Ben Palmer, 6th Alex Grassick, 8th Max Richardson, 9th Freddie Connor, 13th Alex Groves, 20th Ben Slater, 23rd Alex Mills-Barton, 40th Joe Wellerd, 72nd Stephanie Wicken, 76th Frazer Clark and 77th Charlotte McCarthy
Silver Fleet - 2nd Julia Beck, 45th Bethany Wellerd and 72nd Tom Richardson
Full Results - Gold Fleet
Full Results - Silver Fleet
Photos - South East Topper Photo Album
Report
Andrew Brown was crowned the 2006 Topper World Championship on Friday 21st July following a very close run Championship at Lake Garda. Bleddyn Môn, who had led the Championship right up to the last race, was second and was followed by Michael Wood in third. The Silver fleet was won by Kian Sterritt. The outcome of the championship all hinged on the final race that after a week of champagne sailing conditions produced a twist in the tail. The wind failed at the second to last mark to produced a massive raft of Toppers. For some this was an opportunity to gain places whilst others lost out.
South East Sailors Results - 13th Max Richardson, 14th Alex Grassick, 16th Alex Groves, 18th Freddie Connor, 19th Ben Slater, 51st Julia Beck, 59th Alison Baldwin, 68th Stephanie Wicken, 69th Frazer Clark, 77th Georgia Trapp, 80th Alexander LeGassick, 97th Bethany Wellerd, 108th Naomi Fenton-Jones, 114th George Spedding, 125th Peter Grassick, 129th Hannah Thomas, 130th Helen Baldwin, 131st Caroline Baldwin, 133rd Matthew Symons and 134th Tom Richardson 
Photos - South East Topper Photo Album
A report will follow shortly
1st Ed Cowell, 2nd Rob and 3rd Mitch Webb
Photos - South East Topper Photo Album
A report will follow shortly
Joe Wins 
Overall Crawley Results - 1st Joe Wellerd, 2nd Alex Grassick
and 3rd Jordan Taylor
Overall Sailing Solutions Combined Results (CMYC & NSSC) - 1st Alex Grassick, 2nd Joe Wellerd and 3rd Jordan Taylor
Photos - South East Photo Album
Report
Crawley Mariners YC hosted this SE Traveller event on Saturday 24th June.
A number of young sailors were competing in their first open meeting and a special mention must go to one newcomer, Daniel Druce who sailed consistently and took fourth place overall.
Written by Donal Roche
Abersoch Nationwide
Report
141 sailors arrived at a glorious sunny Abersoch for the second Craftinsure Topper Nationwide event. With the first race scheduled for 1pm the fleet had plenty of time to get their bearings and feast their eyes on what must be one of the country’s best sailing waters and a pleasant 10k breeze. After a short briefing by Chris Hopkins the race officer for the weekend, the fleet got afloat.
In normal nationwide format, the 141 boats were split across 4 flights with the aim of each flight sailing against each other twice over the weekend. The first start proved difficult to get going as the tide was under the fleet. It was on the fourth attempt with a black flag that they got away. At this point the wind shifted to the right which meant the race officer had to jiggle the geometry of the course for the second set of flights; unfortunately they also had similar starting problems. This meant that the leaders of the first fleet, Lynn Billowes followed by Max Richardson and Ben Palmer, were about to finish. It was decided to get the first pair of flights finished before the second could start.
Eventually the second pair of flights were put under starters orders and after a long wait proceeded to complete a shortened course, with Andrew Brown winning from Harry Cheetham and Robert Holmes. After 3.5hrs on the water and one race completed, it was decided that all further races that day would use the shortened course format being just a single round of a trapezoid course. Race 2a was won in near perfect sailing conditions by Alex Grassick with Lawrence Sly and Andrew Salt chasing. In race 2b Michael Wood showed a clean pair of heals from Emily Jackson and Ben. The final pair of races were uneventful with Michael collecting his second bullet in the first race from Phil McCoy and Freddie Connor and Bleddyn Mon (the current National Champion) indicating his intentions by winning the second pair of flights from Ben and Robert. After a long sail home and nearly 7 hours on the water everyone quickly ate supper and went to bed exhausted.
Sunday showed how
The Craftinsure Nationwide winner at Abersoch was Michael Wood on 8pts with Bleddyn Mon second and Andrew Brown third both being on 9pts. Lynn Billowes was the first Lady in 6th place on 20pts. Michael thanked all of the organisers and safety crews as without them the event would not occur.
Results and Photos will be posted when available.
Ben Wins Newhaven and 
1st Ben Palmer, 2nd Freddie Connor, 3rd Alex Groves, 4th Alex Grassick and 5th Max Richardson
Overall South East Area Standings
Photos - South East Topper Photo Album
Report
Thirty seven Toppers braved the blazing sun at
Skills and experience ranged from RYA National and Zone ‘Squaddies’, through enthusiastic – but hopelessly overweight (in the light wind) adults, down to young Cadets from the local club’s training lake experiencing their first ‘Open’ event and for many their first sail on salt water.
It was particularly rewarding to see ex Topper sailors, who have now moved on to bigger things, borrowing a boat and coming along just to renew old acquaintances, and in the process passing on their experience and enthusiasm to the newcomers..
Last year’s winner: Ben Palmer from Island Barn, justified his National Squad ranking in the light f2 / f3 wind by taking first in both morning races with a clear margin. The following positions were hotly contested amongst a pack of S.E. sailors.
The event was operated under the RYA ‘Racing Charter’ and it was particularly rewarding to see a protest settled amicably by three experienced competitors using the ‘mediation’ process, saving their fellow competitors the delay of a protest committee.
Freddie wins Lancing 
1st Freddie Connor, 2nd Max Richardson, 3rd Jordan Taylor, 4th Mark Lambert and 5th Luke Mapley
Photos can now be found in the SE Topper Photo Album
Report
Perfect summer weather and sailing conditions were experienced by the 26 helms competing in this year’s Lancing Topper Open & SE Traveller on Saturday 3rd June. After some early fluky northerly winds, a brief postponement by youth Race Officer Hayley Goacher was rewarded by SW winds force 2 – 3 for the rest of the day. In race 1, Mark Lambert was first to the windward mark, but lost out on the second beat to Freddie Connor. Connor held on to this lead and finished ahead of Lambert and William Bovington. Race 2 was sailed back to back, with Connor first to the windward mark this time. Again he held this lead throughout the race, followed by Max Richardson and Jordan Taylor.
After lunch in race 3, boats crowded the committee boat end of the start line, resulting in the only general recall of the day. On re-starting the race, Connor again lead the fleet to the windward mark and scoring his third consecutive win.
Freddie wins Wilsonian
1st Freddie Connor, 2nd Max Richardson and 3rd Ben Palmer
Full Results and Photos
The event was very tidal with a varied wind strength. The first race took place with a flood tide flowing with Freddie first, Ben Palmer second and Ben Slater third. The second race took place with an ebb tide, with Max Richardson taking first place, Julia Beck second and Freddie third. The last race was won by Freddie, with Max in second Ben Slater third.
The overall South East Standings have also been updated - Overall South East Standings
I am delighted to announce that the new ITCA (International) website has been launched this week. This gives details for the World Championships this summer and is the home of the International Class Association. The site has been set up and organised by George Clark who has recently been elected to the post of Acting Chairman of the International Topper Class Association (ITCA). (This is the International Association, not the GBR Association). The new site can be found at www.itcaworld.org
Max wins Bexhill
Report - 1st Max Richardson, 2nd Freddie Connor, 3rd Peter Harrison, 4th Ben Slater and 5th Ben Palmer
In spite of the best efforts of the weather, which had seen the
The fleet launched on a falling tide with the help of a willing and very wet beach party, and three races were held in challenging conditions with winds varying from a manageable force 3 to 4 to a gusty force 5. Perhaps the most difficult aspect facing the sailors, many of whom were visiting non sea sailors, was the waves and the surf and it was impressive to see all sailors launch and get through the not inconsiderable surf without a single capsize. The racing had to be run from a shore based race office due to the committee boat picking up a floating line from a lobster pot, which had to be cut free by the Eastbourne lifeboat, who then insisted that they should be towed back to harbour for a full inspection for possible damage.
The quality of sailing continued throughout with only 2 capsizes in total throughout the racing. Well done to all who attended!
The first race was won by Freddie Connor from Peter Harrison in second place, which was some achievement given the conditions and the fact that he was probably one of the lightest sailors on the water.
The second race saw close racing between 5 or 6 boats all challenging for the lead with Max Richardson coming out on top from Ben Slater
The final race started with several potential winners of the event jockeying for position on the start line. In the event Max Richardson again pulled clear with Ben Palmer in second with Max benefitting from the four boats behind him getting into each others way whilst all trying to catch him.
20th Eric Twiname Championships
Well done to everyone who took part in some very demanding condtions.
South East Sailors - 13th Jordan Taylor, 15th Ben Slater, 18th Julia Beck, 30th Georgia Trapp, 51st Frazer Clarke, 56th Alexander Le Gassick, 64th William Bovington and 65th Stephanie Wicken.
Overall Topper - Results
Yachts and Yachting - Report
South East Area Traveller Series - Alteration
Due to the very busy sailing calendar this year, the number of events required to qualify for the series has been reduced to 6, this therefore means there are 6 discards!
Magic Marine Topper Inland Championships
Full Results - Please Click Here
Photos - South East Topper Photo Album
South East Sailors Results - 6th Ben Palmer, 17th Alex Groves, 25th Alex Grassick, 28th George Beck, 45th Georgia Trapp, 51st Jordan Taylor, 56th Joe Wellerd, 61st Ed Cowell, 63rd Mark Lambert, 68th Julia Beck, 82nd Charlotte McCarthy, 84th Hannah Lytton, 86th Oscar McVeigh, 89th Louis McVeigh, 95th Max Richardson, 106th Stephanie Wicken, 129th Catherine Whitehill, 133rd Charlie Beck, 147th Jonty Freeman, 149th Frazer Clark, 167th Erica Bishop, 171st Peter Grassick, 176th Alexander LeGassick, 191st Bethany Wellerd, 199th Finn Caiger-Smith, 206th James Bovington, 224th Charlie Runcorn, 225th Alfie Gatehouse, 226th Jane Lambert, 236th Matthew Symons, 237th William Bovington, 247th Helen Baldwin and 250th Tom Richardson.
Y&Y Report - Written by Miles Palmer
Freddie Wins Bewl
1st Freddie Connor, 2nd Mark Lambert, 3rd Max Richardson
Full results can be found in the Results Section
CraftInsure Nationwide 1 - Draycote 
Top 4 South East Results - Joint 3rd Ben Palmer, Joint 9th Joe Wellerd, Joint 11th Alex Grassick, Joint 15th Alex Groves. (4 SE Topper Sailors in the Top 15 overall!)
Exciting and challenging conditions faced the sailors on both days of this event, with winds regularly gusting over 30mph, however with no races sailed on the Saturday it meant that everything rested on the next day.
Race 1 A and B was completed by all flights with Tom Weatherhead and Andrew Brown picking up the wins. It was these two races that the final result had to based upon as conditions worsened. However two of the flights managed to complete Race 2A with Joe Wellerd taking line honours, although this result did not count as part of the event as 2B was not sailed, it was an impressive end to a windy weekend.
George Wins SSSA Regatta at
1st - George Beck 1-1-1 Total of 2 Points
2nd - Alex Grassick 2-2-4 Total of 4 Points
3rd - Hannah Lytton 3-3-2 Total of 5 Points
After battling through winds gusting up to 35 mph for three races, George came out on top with a convincing win overall. The conditions were such that many competitors retired during the course of the day, so well done to all those that completed each race. A mixture of strong gusts and a complex set of shifts put everyone to the test throughout the event.
South East Topper Open Area Training at
There are now a few photos in the South East Topper Photo Album of the latest Open Area Training session held at Bewl.
South East Topper Open Area Training at
The latest South East Topper Area Training took place at
Ben Palmer wins Under 16 prize at the
The race was sailed in The Dock next to Excel exhibition hall and the conditions were very fluky, and not all classes of dinghy were represented, they allowed two boats per class and Andrew Brown from Budworth and Ben represented the Topper Class. The entries went from Optimists to Tornados, with RS, 29er's and Merlins attending to name but a few.
Please Click Here for the Yachts and Yachting Report.
Ben Palmer wins the U16 Trophy at the Yachts and Yachting London Boat Show Pursuit Race
For the full results Please Click Here
