Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club

2013 Younique Topper Traveller report & results

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The Final Younique North West Topper Traveller 2013 and RYA West Zone squad selection event took place at Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club. The event saw 47 competitors all competing in the final event of the series, but the wind failed to cooperate with racing in 1-5 knots from the East round to SW by the end of the day. Despite this, and after a lot of patience from the race committee and competitors alike, all 3 races were sailed.

Tom Wallwork dominated in race one with a huge lead, followed by top performers this year Lucy Mearns and Oliver Blackburn. In race two the wind switched proving very difficult for the sailors. The lead pack consisted of Steph Wingeatt, Tom Wallwork, Lucy Mearns, Oliver Blackburn, Sam Platt and Jack Staniland. Out of the top five boats the order shuffled round during the race but Steph Wingeatt led the fleet home to set up a winner-takes-all last race.

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The final race saw the whole course moved trying to adjust to the conditions and many of the younger less experienced sailors did well completing the entire course in such tricky conditions. The competitors were tightly packed on the start but again the leaders Tom Wallwork, Steph Wingeatt and Lucy Mearns quickly emerging from the pack. After a clean start in a gentle breeze, at times Pennington Flash was a mirror reflecting the toppers but on the second and final lap the wind increased allowing Tom Wallwork to work his way into the lead. This time Stephanie Wingeatt and Oliver Blackburn were in second and third place at the windward mark, however, on the final lap Lucy Mearns gained an advantage and gained two places on the downwind leg to finish in 3rd place. The lead pack remained consistent throughout the days racing despite the conditions.

It was promising to see so many younger competitors coming to the northwest series event again with Chester SC and Leigh & Lowton SC having the most sailors attending the event. Results > Topper Open LLSC 

1st – Tom Wallwork (Redesmere)

2nd – Steph Wingeatt (L&L) – 1st Girl

3rd – Lucy Mearns (L&L)

1st U14 – James Hollis (Bartley)

1st U12 – George Graham (L&L)

Endeavour – Alison Hughes (Chester)

Good luck to everyone at next weekend’s Zone Champs!!