Scottish Topper Championships

With our regular correspondent on taxi duty to the Mumbles Nationwide, we have Cameron Still to thank for the following round up of events closer to home:-

Once again the Topper Circus dropped in on Prestwick Sailing Club, this time, however, the conditions were absolutely perfect for good class racing and the event was the re-schedued Scottish Topper Championships postponed from a storm bound Royal Forth.

With 29 starters in shifty conditions the fleet were presented in race 1 with a port bias line.

Alistair Kent absolutely nailed the start on the Pin end, whilst Andrew McGowan slightly to Port pulling an enthusiastic trigger start, capsized. Jamie Noyes clawed Alistair back to take the win with Alistair a credible 2nd and a superb 3rd for Kyle Maxwell with Andrew Recovering well to take 4th. No doubt the result would have been different had Andrew pulled off the trigger start.

Race 2 set off in similar shifty conditions, with Andrew assuming the lead and Jamie following closely behind, Emma Palmer back in her old purple boat 3rd and Emily Robertson 4th.

Race three and final race on Saturday, Andrew once again scored a great start to lead the race, with Alex (Chucky) Still getting to grips with the conditions in 2nd keeping a hard working Jamie into third and Alistair Kent 4th. This meant that Jamie and Andrew tied on the Saturday evening with Alistair Kent 3rd followed closely by Chucky in 4th slot.

Sunday Morning the Clyde was like a millpond with little expectations for breeze to fill until mid-day the race officer flew the AP. With a beautiful sunny day the sea breaze kicked in to about 8 knots to provide further trying race conditions. The younger sailors relishing the opportunity to pitch there wares in lighter conditions. Race 4, provided an interesting mix with Andrew taking an OCS, Emma clearly back in the groove taking the win, Jennifer Abraham keeping the girls on top with 2nd then Jamie consistently up there in 3rd and Rory Kilgore as usual chasing the girls getting a well deserved 4th. Young Lewis Marr pitching up into the top ten for the first time with a confidence boosting 8th.

Final Race of the series and once again Andrew proved to be on song with the win, Jamie closely fought to take 2nd and Jennifer Abraham taking 3rd and Chucky 4th. The overall results stood at Emily Robertson 5th, Alex (Chucky)Still 4th, Emma Palmer 3rd, Jamie Noyes 2nd and Andrew McGowan retaining the Scottish Championship crown.

Andrew reflected on the event with a big thank you to all involved at Prestwick for running the event, made all the better for the near perfect weather.

Just to show those younger Topper Sailors that the good guys get to wrong, Alan Henderson from www.fotoboat.com has some great footage of Andrew capsizing whilst trying to pull off a trigger start.

Cameron