We did it! 40 Toppers at Largs...

Largs SC was the venue for Scottish Topper Traveller number three and 42, YES! Forty two Toppers turned out to enjoy the fun. Well done everyone.

With 36 boats opting for the Main Fleet just six were left to enjoy the closer supervision and shorter courses of the Development Fleet. In difficult conditions with a light and variable wind in the Largs Channel racing was very close. Ross MacLean found the conditions to his liking and was able to hold off the challenge of Andrew Corlett. David Elphringham was a strong third despite being chased hard by Jamie Lyon who scored two third places in the six race series. Sarah and Jono Bradford did well despite not sailing in the very calm conditions on Sunday.

For Developemnt Fleet race by race results click here.

In the Main Fleet the racing was extremely close, clearly demonstarting the effect of the excellent winter's coaching that many of these sailors have enjoyed and the considerable effort invested by all in East, West and Scottish Squads not to mention the many miles travelled to GBR, Intermediate and JDP Topper squads.

Andrew MacGowan stamped his early authority on the event by winning Race one from Jamie Noyes with Alexander Still in third and an impressive fourth for Patrick Shellcock in a steady Force 3 which proved to be by far the windiest race of the weekend. Race two saw the windspeed already dropping to single figures and Jamie turning the tables on Andrew with Angus Grey-Stephens third. This time it was Joanna Barrie posting an impressive fourth.

Race three was going largely to form until the wind dropped to almost nothing and the tide began carrying the becalmed leaders up the Clyde. The chasing pack took full advantage sailing right around the calm patch and it was Alistair Kent who pushed through to take the win closely followed by Ian MacLaughlin with Joanna Barrie showing new confidence to take third and Alexander Still fourth. With several of the early leaders choosing to throw in the towel as the tail enders breezed past hero of the hour was Andrew who had the presence of mind to stick it out, take the pain and hold on to finish 16th. Not good but good enough to hold onto first place overnight. With the forecast suggesting a flat calm, racing looked unlikely to happen on Sunday and with all three races to count those carrying a discard were left praying for wind.

Sunday morning and the early risers were all for packing up but by the 10.30 start time a light breeze was filling in and the fleet boldly set out to drift round the optimistic race officer. Patience was rewarded however and before long the fleet set off for race four in a light North Westerly, this time on the shorter triangle course. Jamie Noyes sailed off into thre distance despite later having to retire feeling unwell with Ailstair Kent taking second, Andrew third and Jessica Campbell in fourth.

With no Jamie it was left to Andrew to lead the fleet round race five this time with Kyle Maxwell-Cox in second closley followed by Jennifer Abraham and Alistair Kent showing impressive consistency in the increasingly testing conditions to take fourth.

At this point the wnd seemed to fall away altogether and the parents on shore were virtually at the point of hitching trailers and revving engines for home but the OOD had other ideas and after a further hour it was a rather a surprise to the shore crews to see the start signals for race six.

Andrew MacGowan showed remarkable determination to hold on for the win against the light weight flyers but was closely followed by Kyle, Alistarir and Jessica. Final finisher of the weekend was young Niall Ferguson in 33rd. Well done Niall.

All in all an excellent event. Brilliant sunshine for the parents, six races for the sailors. Next stop North Berwick for the East Lothian Traveller next weekend, 6th and 7th June 2009.

For full race by race results click here.
Overall Results
1. Andrew MacGowan
2. Alistair Kent
3. Alexander Still
4. Jessica Campbell