Reflections on 2009

As Santa Claus beds down his reindeer in the North Pole stables and heads off for his well earned holidays it is perhaps time to reflect on the year that was. Below is the review of 2009 which featured in the most recent ITCA Topper News. All those of you who are ITCA members should have received your copy in the post. All those of you who are not memebers should please consider joining for 2010. You can do so at http://www.gbrtopper.co.uk/

ITCA is the name for the voluntary organisation which represents all Topper sailors in the UK. Without ITCA there would be no Topper events in wehich to participate. By joining you support our association and you also ensure we will keep you informed all the fabulous opportunities to get the most out of your Topper sailing.

It was a busy winter for Scottish Toppers with National Squad training supplemented by a very well attended programme of RYA and ITCA open training events at venues from Channonry in the far North to Annandale in the South by way of clubs at Port Edgar Largs Loch Lomond Helensburgh and Monklands. Special mention must go the West Area open training led by Laurie Marsden assisted by Robin Paris which has been so popular it is in danger of needing a waiting list or qualification series.

When racing began in April it was Scottish Squad sailor Samantha Foster and the JDP's Jamie Noyes who set the early pace with a thrilling battle at windswept Annandale. Tied on points the Easter Egg went to Jamie on most firsts count back. Local sailor Jessica Campbell was third with Alexander Still in fourth.

Loch Vennacher, which was both a traveller and leg one of the Inlands, was a stark contrast in weather with light and shifting winds but Jamie showed his class with another victory. Emily Robertson took second, Angus Gray-Stephens was third and Alexander fourth again.

Next up was a trip to the Inlands at Grafham with a large Scottish Team making the drive South but it was a delighted Joanne Foster who stole the headlines with a third place in the 4.2 National Championships. The following weekend saw the strong Scottish Squad take second at the Eric Twiname Championships despite one of the team finding herself in an ambulance after a dramatic collision when she was sailed over by an out of control port tacker. Fortunately the suspected broken leg was only deep bruising and Sammi was back the next morning but alas the wind was not, so it was an early drive home for the Scots.

Next up was a trip to Largs in the West where it was back to light winds and no racing on the Sunday. Importantly this left no discards and no way back for those who had misjudged the tide on Saturday. Andrew MacGowan took his first victory of the season followed by local sailor Alistair Kent and Alexander Still was third.

Mid June saw the traditional visit to East Lothian YC, the 2011 Nationals venue and a fantastic weekend of sea sailing in rolling waves and a perfect force 4. This was Andrew MacGowan’s dream conditions and he took advantage. Jamie second, Angus third and Emily fourth.

In early July a smaller than usual fleet headed North to Channonry near Inverness and it was Jennifer Abraham who read the light winds best to record her first traveller victory. Joanna Barrie second and Jessica Campbell third.

Tarbert Loch Fyne was our next destination and a great event sailed in winds of 20 to at times 30 mph. This was memorable for another epic battle this time between new 420 partners Jamie and Angus Gray Stephens. Alexander and Jessica settled for third and fourth respectively.

August saw thirty five Scottish Toppers gathered at Pwllheli for what was a great week at the UK Nationals. High points included six Scottish squad boats in the gold fleet, race wins in bronze for Aaron Murray and Rory Kilgore and a very proud moment for your correspondent when Joanne Foster received a spot prize for sportsmanship after sailing off the race course to ask a RIB to assist a sailor in distress.

August should have seen the Scottish Champion crowned at Royal Forth but despite a great welcome and strenuous efforts to get the racing in, the whole country was being battered by gales and only one race was sailed so the Championship was postponed to Prestwick Youth Regatta where it was great to see GBR Junior squad member Andrew MacGowan become Scottish Topper Champion 2009. Jamie was second and Emma Palmer third with Alexander fourth.

The season finale was Loch Tummel in September which was also the second leg of the Inland Championship. After six close races with five separate race winners the victory for the weekend went rightly to Alexander Still with Jessica second and Rory third. Kyle Maxwell-Cox ended his Toppper career with a popular fourth as he plans to move into Lasers next year. Jamie did enough to secure both the 2009 Inland Championship and the Scottish Area Travellers Trophy. Joanna Barrie was awarded the Donnie Meldrum trophy for a remarkable performance in 2009 stepping up from the Regatta fleet last year to the Scottish Squad and 8^th overall in the Travellers. Well done everyone. Follow next year on www.scottishtoppers.blogspot.com.