The finale of the North West Topper Traveller Series 2011
Leigh & Lowton Juniors wrap up the season in style.
The finale of the North West Topper Traveller Series 2011 was held at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club with 42 boats competing for honours and fighting for Zone Squad qualification places. With winds varying from force 2 – 5 through the day Leigh provided ideal conditions to test competitors in a wide range of conditions. With several National Squad sailors present this was going to be no push-over event.
The stronger winds in in Race 1 suited local sailor Jamie Catchpole who led new World Champion Matt Venables from Sutton around the course, finishing with a good lead and with Matt holding off a challenge from Curtis Mearns, also from Leigh & Lowton. >
> After one postponement to Race 2 called by race officer Laura Barnes due to a 40 degree cloud-enduced windshift, the race got underway in lighter force 2 conditions, with Matt pulling out a handsome lead on the first lap, never to be headed. Curtis lead the bunch behind home, with Jamie Purcell from Redesmere in 3rd. >
> The final race in moderate conditions saw Jamie Catchpole lead out from the start, breaking away from the pack to win by a minute, giving him the event win. Previous NW Traveller winner Andy Green from Leigh & Lowton was getting the hand of his borrowed boat and downsizing from the Laser to finish 2nd with Curtis again in 3rd. >
> So Jamie Catchpole was crowned Leigh & Lowton Open Meeting Winner, while 3rd place was enough to give Curtis Mearns a convincing win in the North West Traveller Series after his previous triumphs this season. >
> 1st – Jamie Catchpole – LLSC
> 2nd – Matt Venables – Sutton SC
> 3rd – Curtis Mearns – LLSC
> 4th – Andy Green – LLSC
> 5th – Jamie Purcell – Redesmere SC
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