Trailblazing Toppers are a sight to see
Bosham Sailing Club once again proved what brilliant sailing it can offer youngsters as it hosted a weekend of training and racing in conjunction with the International Topper Class Association (ITCA).
Saturday saw varied conditions as 35 keen sailors underwent anintense but rewardingtrainingsessionwith some of ITCA’S best coaches.
The training covered key racing skills as youngsters aged12to16wereputthrough their paces off Cobnor Point.
All cameoffthewaterhaving improved their racing skills and looking forward to putting them into practice.
Sunday brought champagne conditions with a bright blue sky and a 14-knot northerly breeze.
More than 50 sailors from Bosham, Itchenor, Dell Quay and Emsworth and further afield gathered for the annualboshamtopperopeninthe second event of the Rooster Southern Traveller Series.
Thesailorslaunchedfrom Cobnorandsailedtothestartline upharbourinthevicinity of Rookwood.
The fleet was divided into two, with the majority sailing in the 5.3 fleet with larger sails andtheless-experienced youngersailorsinthe4.2fleet with smaller sails.
Eachfleetsailedfourcompetitive races each lasting about 40 minutes, with and an excellent standard of sailing shown by all.
Simon Radford, principal race officer, said: “It was brilliant to see so many youngsters onthewater, having fun but sailing competitively and fairly. I was very impressed with the quality of sailing.”
In planning for the weekend, Bosham Sailing Club drew upon the Covid compliant rules andprocessesit had developed for Bosham2020.
Special thanks go to the Beale Family for allowing the boats to launch from Cobnor.
Theweekendwasmastermindedbylucychaplin, Topper class captain at Bosham SC, who said: “We had to ensure wemetallcovid requirements but what a joy to see so many children on the water sailing so well and enjoying themselves. The Topper is a great boat for anyone from 12 to 16 and can be sailed for fun or very competitively.”
Bosham SC boast a large group of youngsters who sail in Optimists, Toppers, Fevas, 420s and Lasers.
Results - 5.3 fleet: 1 Hugo Valentine; 2 Immi Rees; 3 Oscar Fry. First Bosham boat: Zac Shepherd. 4.2 fleet: 1 Thomas Peace; 2 Greg Czura; 3 Marcus King.