The Topper Class returned to Lake Garda and our host Fraglia Vela Malcesine for a second year for the Gul Topper World Championship 2007.
Sunday 26th August - The opening ceremony for the World Championship was held in the historic setting of Malcesine. The 173 competitors paraded through the streets to the habour where they were welcomed by Gianni Testa the President of Fraglia Vela Malcesine. The Championship was formally opened by the President of ITCA, George Clark.
Monday 27th August - No racing as the afternoon breeze that was so reliable last year (except for the final race!) failed to develop.
Tuesday 28th August - An early start for the Topper fleet with the boats launching after 7am to catch the morning catabatic breeze coming down from the mountains. The fleet was separated into four flights and sailed a series of round-robin races to complete the qualification series from which they were separated into Gold and Silver fleets.
Race 1 (Green and Red) was won by the defending champion Andrew Brown, followed by Mike Wood and Joe Wellerd. Race 1 (Blue and Yellow) was won by Phil McCoy with Freddie Connor second and Max Richardson third.
Race 2 (Red and Yellow) was won by Ben Palmer with Mike Wood taking a second followed by Phil McCoy in third. Race 2 (Blue and Green) Andrew Brown took his second first followed by Freddie Connor and Sam Knight.
As the morning breeze failed the fleet came in for lunch and to wait for the afternoon breeze. The bright sunshine started the Southerly breeze, but a thunderstorm at the northern end of Lake Garda interrupted its development and what finally arrived was another northerly breeze! Which was good for race 3 but started to fail during race 4. However, four qualification races were completed giving a discard.
Race 3 (Green and Yellow) Andrew Brown made it three straight firsts with Matt Johnson and Tom Weatherhead second and third respectively. Race 3 (Blue and Red) Mike Wood went one better to take a first win followed by Sam Knight and Freddie Connor.
Race 4 (Blue and Yellow) Freddie Connor, never out of the top three, took his first win followed by Phil McCoy and George Spedding. Race 4 (Green and Red) was one by Lorenzo Chiavarini followed by Philip Doran and Ngaire Strawbridge.
Wednesday 29th August - Another early start for the Topper fleet launching promptly at 7am. The conditions were overcast with a light to moderate northerly breeze. Three races were completed in the morning. In both the Gold and Silver fleets the competition was strong with no one sailor dominating either series.
In the Gold Fleet race 1 was won by Ben Palmer with Mike Wood and Sam Knight second and third respectively. In race 2 first place was taken by Robin Elsey followed by Andrew Salt and defending champion Andrew Brown in third place. In race 3 Mike Wood went one better taking a first with Andrew Brown improving with a second and Ben Palmer again in the top three with a third.
In the Silver Fleet races 1, 2 and 3 were won respectively by Shona Ross, Carl Mitchell and Federico Angelini.
Thursday 20th August - The penultimate day, and another early start with the Topper fleet launching in a light but freshening northerly breeze. During the first race (Race 4) the wind built to a good force 4 with strong gusts on top, making the conditions challenging for both fleets.
In the Gold Fleet the race was won by Andrew Brown with the overnight leader Mike Wood in second place and Phil McCoy third. The silver fleet race was won by Thomas Tindall.
With the weather deteriorating the fleets returned to shore to shelter from an approaching thunderstorm. After the storm had cleared the fleets launched again and were making their way to the racing area when a further thunderstorm rolled over the mountain. The fleets were promptly sent back in. After waiting to see whether the weather would clear the race officer finally decided to postpone racing for the rest of the day. Leaving two races to complete the series on the final day.
Friday 31st August - Final day and two races to decide the World Championship. At 7am the wind was very strong with an average speed of 30 knots. Racing was initially postponed. By mid morning the average speed had dropped to 20 knots. Two races were completed. During the first race the breeze continued to drop. The wind then swung to a southerly breeze for the first time in the week, enabling the second race to be completed.
In the Gold Fleet the first race was one by Freddie Connor with Phil McCoy second and Andrew Brown extending his lead in third. The second race (Race 6, the final of the series); Freddie Connor took a second win followed by Felicity Foulds and Andrew Brown in third. However, Mike Wood successfully protested Andrew Brown promoting Max Richardson to third.
The disqualification of Andrew Brown in the final race meant that the Gul Topper World Champion for 2007 is Mike Wood, with Andrew Brown second and Freddie Connor third. First Adult Male was Max Richardson (4th), First Lady was Lynn Billowes (14th) with John Bell (36th) First Senior Male and Susan Brown (76th) First Senior Lady.
In the Silver Fleet the first and second races were won by Christopher Wheeler and James Dugdale respectively. The overall standings were 1st James Dugdale, 2nd Shona Ross and 3rd Isabel Quicke.
The generous sponsor’s prizes were awarded by Mike Pickering of Gul. In his closing speech, George Clark the President of the International Topper Class Association thanked all at Fraglia Vela Malcesine, the Judges and sponsor Gul for their contributions and support in making a great success of the World Championship. He went on to announce that the 2008 World Championship is to be held in Ireland.
Results
HELP WANTED FOR THE SLIP AT GARDA
In order to launch the competitors in an organised and efficient manner we are looking for volunteers on the slipway to marshal boats and recover trollies. Some will have to get wet, up to armpit level, others only up to the ankles!!!! We need approximately 10 people each day, any volunteers please contact Chris Johnson, by email Chris.Johnson005@btinternet.com , Mobile +44 (0)7979 703084 or see me on the slip at Garda.
To help with your planning we are pleased to release the Notice of Race and Entry Form, these can be found in the Racing section.
