Well the predicted winds came and the blue skies unfurled later so we headed to the far side of the lake & Andrea set up camp. The coffee pot was on and before lunch time could niggle your belly, a delicious soup of Meryl’s home grown carrot and coriander & Oscar’s home made bread were on the camp table.
With 2 late entries of Ian Ralli & newbie racer Oscar Studer entering the fray, 2 flights of 4 with a final of 6 were decided on with a last flight to decide on overall finishing places.
First flight of Kev Fawcett, Graham Hardyman, Ian Ralli & Oscar Studer readied themselves and with seconds to go Oscar sat patiently on the line causing utter confusion for the ones who held back and started to charge to the line with no where to go…. Who is this dark horse we all muttered from the race boat, this could be interesting!
Unfortunately despite a great start, Oscar lost his rudder causing him to gybe around & around & the rest of the flight powered away with Ian taking the lead, Graham in second & Kev trailing.
It was great sailing from all, effortless tacks, gybes, beats & reaches but Kev overpowered them and raced on to take the win.
Graham finally overhauled Ian to take second place but only just & whilst Oscar found his form he dropped to the fourth flight for final positions.
After a further lunch course of Andrea’s vegetarian Moroccan tagine with hot dog chasers the second flight prepared themselves with the winds starting to gain in strength.
Martin McKettrick, Kamila Walicka, Andrea Phillips & Meryl Brayford – Cuzak shook out their sails and made their way to the start. The gun went, well Kelly’s shriek of a whistle and they were off….
Afraid Meryl, despite being comfortable got caught short & capsized just before the line but she calmly collected herself, righted her weapon and kept Kev’s bobble hat dry – “a true hero” Kev said later!
Meanwhile Kamila was off pressing hard on Martin’s heels & finally after choosing a beat to the shoreline to reach through the start line for the second lap she gained the advantage.
It was another amazing chase of a race only to be thwarted by a combination of Martin’s determination and nerve as Kamila luffed up just before the finish and Martin glided past to take the win.
Meanwhile the shore crew, Kelly Swinholm & a multitude of helpers, displayed excellent hand to eye communication with the race boat. Whose crew helmed by last years best young sailor Theo Phillips & Course layer Marco Stolk responded accordingly. Thank you!
After a respite of coffee & a sniffle of rum with our Commodore Paul Hampson the final race was set…
“15 seconds” called the RO from the boat. The shore crew responded accordingly & the crews set their timers, unfortunately Theo & Ted (aged 6 ) started the count down a tad slower than a tack tick 87655443332221 oops!
Recall
Recall Kev & Ian
The rest sped off….
A great race ensued, Kamila & Martin in another heated battle, lan recovered & manoeuvred back passing Andrea (giggling away with joy) and Graham.
I think Ian was stood proud more times than sat down as he showed incredible skills around the course.
Meanwhile Kev hammered away and not only caught the fleet but powered away to take another series first & regatta win!
Meanwhile Kamila whilst holding her nerve, beating and tacking hard, one hand out with a foot on the kicker, fought hard against Martin over 3 laps, it seems the finish line scares her as she stalled momentarily again & Martin’s stalwart efforts paid off & once over the line, he slapped his hull appreciatively like it was a thoroughbred at the Cheltenham races …
Ian chose the wind offshore & with the wind building & backing east as predicted, beat in ahead of Graham in lighter airs, whilst Andrea sailed home 6th, still smiling!
Meryl & Oscar raced for final positions and whilst Oscar accepted Meryl’s coaching by Kev around the course he just couldn’t catch her….!
Brilliant!
Commemorative trophies to all who entered the full Topper Challenge & or competed on the final day, even if they didn’t compete in all series.
Prizes to the first 4, appreciatively sponsored by Bluepoint Marine – thanks guys!
Special prize of Chocolate spoon for most excellent capsizes & recoveries to guess who?
Thanks to everyone officiating & or volunteering including:
Paul Hampson, Simon Windle, Matt Heald, Sonia Kelly, Carol Dolan, Marco Stolk, Kelly Swinholm, Ruby Swinholm, Chris Carbutt, Sarah Walsh, Zara Phillips, Theo Phillips, Joanna Studer, Helen Skipworth, Ted & Charlotte Skipworth, John Myerscough, Dave & Jeanette Hardy, Claire Hind.
All other Volunteers, spectators… sorry if I missed you off & anyone else who stole a sausage – Luna & Dexter 
A special thanks though to Andrea Phillips along with your cohorts, for catering to the masses, so very much appreciated.
Lastly thanks to Bluepoint Marine for sponsoring the event & The Volunteer Canteen at Waterloo for hosting our after race nonsensical, nautical, nuances.
You were all amazing!
Thank you, it really was a series of grand days out !
Words by Jan Anderton
Final Scores
Kev Fawcett. 1 – 1 – 1 – 1
Richard Sharp. 3 – 2 – 0 – 0
Martin McKettrick. 0 – 3 – 0- 2
Alistair Roaf. 2 – 0 – 0 – 0
Ian McMillan 4 – 0 – 0 – 0
Matt Dennies. 0 – 4 – 0 – 0
Neil Thomas. 0 – 5 – 0 – 0
Matty Riley. 0 – 6 – 0 – 0
Kamila Walicka. 7 – 7 – 3 – 3
Laura Fitzgerald. 6 – 0 – 0 – 0
Andrea Phillips. 8 – 8 – 4 – 6
Nicola Murphy. 0 – 9 – 0 – 0
Meryl B-Cuzak. 9 – 10 – 0 – 7
Graham Hardyman 0 – 0 – 2 – 5
Glenn Lloyd. 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Jan Anderton. 0 – 0 – 5 – 0
Adam Kyffin. 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Ian Ralli 0 – 0 – 0 – 4
Oscar Studer 0 – 0 – 0 – 8
Final Series Positions
1st Kev Fawcett
2nd Martin McKetterick
3rd Richard Sharp
4th Kamila Walicka
5th Graham Hardyman
6th Andrea Phillips
7th Meryl Brayford- Cuzak
8th Alistair Roaf
9th Ian Ralli
10th Matt Dennies
11th Ian McMillan
12th Jan Anderton
13th Neil Thomas
14th Matty Riley
15th Laura Fitzgerald
16th Oscar Studer
17th Nicola Murphy
18th Glen Lloyd
