ITCA Topper NS3 at Rutland Sailing Club

ITCA Topper NS3 at Rutland © Robert Klaschka

With 80 entries in the 5.3 fleet and 40 in the 4.2 fleet, we had some excellent racing, and impressive results from all. Considering the challenging conditions of 17 gusting 28 knots the race committee provided us with the perfect courses to enable some great, close racing.

Rutland was an amazing venue, all the site members made us feel very welcome. The catering made us a lovely lasagna in the evening.

But this event wouldn't be possible without our generous sponsors (Rooster, Noble Marine, Topper Sailboats, Optimum Time and Harken). I'd like to give a big shout out to Topper Russ who was there all weekend, providing the sailors with plenty of kit, spares and repairs.

In the strong breeze sailors had the opportunity to push themselves and achieve results that reflected their hard work and training throughout the winter.

As established from the results the racing was tight and the battle for first place was hard fought. Well done to all the competitors for showing great perseverance and determination in the harsh conditions.

ITCA Topper NS3 at Rutland - photo © Robert Klaschka

Racing detail

The forecast predicted very heavy wind, and it was right, while the temperature was not very warm until late afternoon on Sunday.

Saturday morning started with a competitors' brief at 10:30, with the 4.2 course on the left of the lake and the 5.3s on the right side. The 5.3s did not have flights.

The 4.2s had a port bias line and a clean start, with Isabelle Simpson leading for most of the race, with Audrey Yang just behind, but she capsized on the last leg, and Audrey (166) won the race, with Isabelle (38) in 2nd place, and Martha Shorter (639) in 3rd - an all-girls top 3!

At this point many of the boats were upside-down (and quite a few of masts stuck in the mud near the shore) which was stretching the safety crew, so the race committee made the decision to bring the 4.2s back to shore.

The first of the 5.3 races had Alex Stainton (177) in 1st, Freya Antonelli (21) in 2nd, and Robin Hailey (605) in 3rd.

The second race had Jonathan Shields (43) in 1st, Alex (177) in 2nd, and Freya (21) in 3rd. The 5.3s were also brought in after the second race.

On the second day, the 4.2s and 5.3s raced at different times, but on the same course. The 5.3s were led out first and had 2 races before coming back in. Ralph Hadley (160) won Race 1, with Freya (21) in 2nd, and Alex (177) in 3rd.

Ralph (160) won again for Race 2, with Jack Taylor (684) in 2nd, and Alex (177) in 3rd.

When the 5.3s had finished racing, the 4.2s launched and then held 3 races - Races 1 and 2 had only one beat, and Race 3 was an outer-loop that finished on the second upwind mark.

Freddie Smallwood (588) took a big lead on the first race and won it, with Audrey (166) in 2nd, and Jake Day (355) in 3rd.

Martha (639) won the second race, with Audrey (166) in 2nd, and Rory Taylor (532) in 3rd. The last race had Freddie (588) winning again, with Jake (355) in 2nd, and Audrey (166) in 3rd.

ITCA Topper NS3 at Rutland - photo © Claire Turner

The overall 4.2 results were Martha (639) in 3rd place, Freddie (588) in 2nd place and Audrey (166) in 1st.

The overall 5.3 results were Jack (684) in 3rd place, Freya (21) in 2nd place and Alex (177) the overall winner for the weekend.

ITCA Topper NS3 at Rutland - photo © Claire Turner

Congratulations to everyone for brilliant competition throughout the weekend.

Many thanks to the sponsors of the event, Rutland Sailing Club, the competitors and their parents, and Topper Russ for many fixes and supplies of new kit during the 2 days of the event.

Now that NS3 is complete all the sailors are looking forward towards NS4 down at Hayling Island SC on the 9/10 May.

5.3 Fleet Results:

Mid-fleet - Toby Hailey
1st Male (not top 10) - Simeone Shackleton
1st Female (not top 10) - Edith Phillips

4.2 Fleet Results:

1st Male (not top 5) - Rory Newstead Taylor
1st Female (not top 5) - Martha Hart
Mid-fleet - Bertie Deacon