Topper and Optimist Zone Indicators – Double Home Wins for LLSC, Sam Cooper clinches NW Topper Series
Over 50 Northern Topper and Optimist competitors were welcomed by Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club for the Topper Traveller (doubling up as Zone indicator) and Optimist Zone training.
Unfortunately the wind was not as cooperative as indicated in the forecast and racing was eventually postponed until after 2pm, allowing competitors to indulge in some training from Luke Shaw, the famous LLSC home cooking, canoeing and swimming before lunch in the sunshine! 2 races were held in wind between 1-6 knots and a large windshift between races.
Once away, the fleets had some very close racing, the first 4 Toppers were well away together in the first race, stretching out into the distance, with Brandon Banner (LLSC) narrowly beating Lorcan Knowles (LLSC) to the finish with Sam Cooper (West Lancs) and Isabel Wallwork (Redesmere) coming in close behind. In the Optimists, Lewis Coop (LLSC) battled into the lead on the second lap to take line honours from Harvey Leigh (LLSC), with Ed Coady (Derwent Reservoir) third.
After a course shift the OOD got the second start away and the Topper top 4 remained the same as the first race, but with Sam Cooper coming out on top of Brandon Banner at the finish, leaving Banner as the event winner. A series of protest didn’t change the results and Sam Cooper walk off as the winner of the Traveller Series 2015 and Isabel Wallwork as top Girl. The Optimists provided some great close racing after a general recall with Harvey Leigh only passing Lewis Coop in the last 20 yards to clinch the event. Jonny Latham clinched 3rd as the fleet finished in the best wind of the day.
Big thank you to Dave Wallwork for running the NW Toppers for the past 2 seasons.
Sam Cooper, Lorcan Knowles, Isabel Wallwork and Brandon Banner celebrate success in the LLSC Open and Topper Traveller Series.
Results:
LLSC Optimist Zone Training Results 2015