South West Topper Zone Squad - Chew Valley #1

This was the first camp of my second year in the Zone Squad

We are a squad of seventeen so we have four coaches: Duncan, Lynn, Natalie and Ed.
Lynn and Duncan will be at all of our squad camps and either Natalie or Ed at the others.
Chew is close to home so we got there in plenty of time for the new fitness session and the parents had their first parents briefing.
It was quiet light winds but there were some gusts that got us hiking.
Our main exercise was elephant ears to help our stop tacks and tacking and gybing on the whistle, which helps our upwind and downwind light airs trim.
On Sunday we had an earlier start because we had to finish earlier too.
In the morning there was no wind so we focussed on learning to a race officer, until the wind filled in and we could go yachting for a couple of races to finish the camp
Thank you to Chew Valley Sailing Club and our coaches for a good weekend.

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2015 Zone Squad qualification

Our Zone Champs were in Paignton this year, we had a sunny weekend but with very light winds.
Saturday we managed 2 races in the afternoon and 4 races on Sunday.

Having had a fantastic weekend at the Plymouth qualifier I knew this was going to be hard work in the light conditions.  I had hoped to finish mid fleet this time, top 10 was not going to repeat itself unless the wind picked up.  Mid fleet it was, interestingly other sailors who finished near me in Plymouth dropped down to mid fleet too.  Whilst on the other hand Millie did fantastically well at Paignton, WELL DONE Millie!

Our Zone Squad Training Qualifier was at Bowmoor in the Cotswolds.  About 28 of us had applied to be part of the Squad so Duncan and his team of coaches “The Dream Team” had their work cut out to observe everyone.

I had a good day on the water finishing top boy and 3rd overall in the racing.

We have now had our Zone Squad emails and I am very pleased to have been selected to complete a second year in the South West Topper Zone Squad.  

Looking forward to lots of winter training.

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Bart's Bash sailing on a 5.3 for Zone Squad qualification

Barts Bash clashed with a qualifier for the RYA SW Zone Squad so I couldn't join my VR team mates at QMSC racing against Sir Ben Ainslie for Barts Bash.

Our first race on Sunday  was the special race - BART’S BASH out in the middle of the bay near Drake's Island, along with 18,000 other boats around the world.

This was my first race on my full size rig and I finished 13th out of 42 so I was pretty happy with my result.

We had one more race before lunch for the regional traveller and I came 9th so it was another good race for me. The race officer got us out for one more race in the afternoon and I put all my energy into it and ended up 8th which I was really happy with - and I ended up 9th overall, on my 5.3 sail.

It was fantastic to take part in Barts Bash and be part of the VR Race Team on this special day even though I couldn't be at VR HQ.

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Virtual Rigger 4.2 Summer Championships and Zkik World Championships at Pwllheli

A successful trip to Wales - 8th in the UK and 10th in the World for 2014 !

Roll on Lake Garda 2015 .....

Day 17 - Homeward Bound

A reasonable 8 hour run saw us reaching Somerset at 7pm to be greeted by one excited dog

Day 16 - Topper Worlds Day 3

3 races on our last day. Building on yesterday's results saw me posting 4, 12 and 8. Pretty pleased given my injury and securing 10th place overall to add to 8th last week. We then had prize giving, the charity auction before a group of us headed off to subway for tea, fun in the arcade and a party on the beach.

Day 15 - Topper Worlds Day 2

I had a lot to make up having missed yesterday's racing. We sailed 4 races today and I posted mixed results (14,10,6,8). Hiking with one leg is less than ideal but at least I was beginning to climb back up the results board.

We went out 4 races first race not great but others were ok, nothing in the evening

Day 14 - Topper Worlds Racing at last - Day 1

We launched but unfortunately my knee gave way again and I had to come back in and miss today's three races. Just hoping lots of rest today plus strapping my knee means I can go out tomorrow.

Day 13 - Topper Worlds Racing Abandoned

Similar conditions to yesterday saw racing being abandoned again. The day then became a mix of chilling on site, walking into town for lunch at subway, playing football and taking part in the Oakley challenge. In the evening we all went to the water park at Hagan y Mor.

Day 12 - Topper Worlds Racing Abandoned

23 knots and 6 foot of swell meant the day started with a 3 hour postponement. Conditions did not improve and therefore racing was abandoned for the day. We headed into town for a few hours before going out to tea. Just hoping we get out tomorrow.

Day 11- Rest Day 3 Chill and Opening Ceremony

At last a lie in this morning. We spent the day chilling, dodging rain storms and hanging out with friends. In the evening we had the Worlds Opening Ceremony including the flag parade of all the participating countries followed by a buffet supper.

Day 10 - Rest Day 2 Zip World

Early start today to head across to Zip World Titan. Great fun with friends and family before heading back to Pwllheli for Worlds Registration. After registration we lashed everything down in preparation for the incoming storm. We chilled around the sailing club for a while before heading to Nevfyn for a sailors BBQ.

Day 9 - Rest Day 1 Shattered

So today was down time to rest and recover ... something that escaped the notice of Caroline Randeria who organised a walk up Snowdon whilst carrying a Topper to raise money for the John Merricks Sailing Trust and the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation. Well done to those who completed this challenge raising over £400 during the walk itself plus more donations online. I spent a social day with Carol Dugdale and Josh at the base of Snowdon including a trip on the lakeside train and discussing Carols departure to Canada tomorrow for her 2.4 sailing event ... good luck Carol.

Day 8 - Fourth day of Racing

Slightly worried on launch as the winds were very light but they filled in giving a good last day of racing and I posted top ten results for both days leaving me 8th overall which giving the mixed conditions and blisters was a result I was pleased with.

Day 7 - Third day of Racing

At last great wind today for me reflected with top five results in every race and jumping ten places on the leaders board. Blisters across the back of my legs making this a somewhat painful but just very pleased to be posting good results and I have 2 ducks to collect in briefing tomorrow.

Day 6 - Second day of racing

Postponement in the morning whilst there were great winds and waves to be conquered. By the time we launched everything was rather light and sedate. I was winning the first race which was then abandoned .... not happy, I was the only one who actually followed the course! The next 2 races were as bad as yesterday's results this is just not my week.

The club held a competitors BBQ in the evening, the food was very good, shame about the rain. Really looking forward to catching up with Carol Dugdale and Josh who arrived this evening.

Day 5 - First day of Racing

Light winds and no waves so not a good start to the Championships for me.

Evening BBQ was rather late as we had to wait for the Fundraising Auction to finish. No bargains for us but a purple muggi for a 2.4 sailor whose boat has a purple colour theme. Hopefully this will make Carol smile when she arrives tomorrow.

Day 4 - Racing Abandoned

An early start following a rather rough night. Torrential rain and high winds caused havoc on site at the sailing club including having to put awnings down at 2am! Sailors under canvas on local campsites faired less well with several tents being submerged. The 4.2 squadies rigged their boats together then headed off to the main briefing. Then followed our squad briefing with sailors sprinting for a bench to sit on. A 2 hour postponement followed by racing being abandoned for the day due to winds and big waves. Mark layers were loosing marks between the waves never mind the odd boat. The 4.2 squadies headed back to the boat park to derig together then most returned to their accommodation. We had a BBQ mid evening by which time the winds had died down ... just as well as 8 in our camper would have been interesting.

Day 3 - Registration and Welcome Briefing

Last lie in for a while. This morning was spent sorting our boats and catching up with our Zone Squad coaches and friends. We registered as soon as registration was open and managed to get through measuring before meeting up with the our South West coach for some time on the water ... well once Lynn worked out how to start the rib that is! The conditions were light and shifty so not much fun but we did get to see some dolphins. In the evening we had the welcome briefing followed by tea.

Day 2 - Setting up

Rain and not bring in a rush meant we had a late start to the day. We got up at 9am :-) A chilled day for the sailors whilst the grown ups sorted ribs, the race office and the clothing orders. Sailors cycled into town to take a look around and we set up our paddling pool (picture to follow) In the evening we went out to tea to the Chinese. Whilst the day started off wet it turned out nice and sunny by mid afternoon.

Day 1 - Road trip to North Wales

We left the house at 11am and arrived at Pwllheli Sailing Club just before 7pm with 2 stops enroute. When we arrived I helped Andy and Adam Millington put sail numbers on the sails for the Indian sailors who arrive this weekend. Then we waited for the Luxford's to pull up after their mammoth 12 hour journey with so many motorway closures and delays.

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Virtual Rigger Topper 4.2 series winner - Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club

Second overall for the event and FIRST in the 2014 series !

I had the whole day off on Friday because it takes us seven hours to get to Derwent from the south coast.

On the Saturday we launched as planned but then the wind dropped and the 4.2s just rafted up for about an hour. Then we paddled in but everyone else got a lift straight away except me and Ben O'D so we paddled three quarters of the way in ourselves. We had an hours lunch because there still wasn't enough wind. When we did get out we did 3 races and I came 3rd, 3rd and a 4th, I was quite happy with the day.

On Sunday morning the wind was good as forecast so we got straight out as planned and did four races back to back with a break for lunch out on the water. In the races I came 2nd in all of them. This put me up a place into 2nd overall for the event!!!!

Finally we had the results for the overall series.... I won the series by 1 point to Coco. I'd like to thank everyone for great compition and especially Coco for great competition all year round.

Well done to Calum, Lucy and Jack for coming top 3 overall in the 5.3 series.

I'd like to thank my personal sponsors Virtual Rigger, Gul and 1610 for the great support all year round.

Hope to see everyone in Pwhelli for the Worlds + Nationals

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Virtual Rigger Topper 4.2 National Championships

The 4.2 Nationals draw plenty of competition from more experienced 5.3 squad sailors who save their 4.2 sails just for this event. Last year I came 42nd at Burnham and this year I finished 18th overall so I was very pleased.





School gave me the afternoon off so that I could get to Northampton before 7.00pm. As soon as we arrived I rigged my boat ready for the weekend

On Saturday we had a 9:30am Squad briefing with Andy. The main briefing was at 9:45am and we launched at 10:30am.

There were 3 races in the morning, I came 17th, 13th and 16th which I was very pleased with as last year I came 42nd overall.

After lunch we did another 2 races and I came 14th and 15th so that put me 14th overnight which I was so happy with.

On the Sunday we launched at 9:55am after a Squad warm-up and completed three races in the morning.

I came 14th, 25th and a D.N.F I didn’t do very well in the last race because I capsized and then got hit on the arm and neck by another boat at speed.

In the afternoon I wasn’t expected to go back out but I did as I still wanted to finish in the top 20, in the last 2 races I came 20th and 32nd but that was because of my collision earlier, the bruises were starting to show!

Thank you to all the volunteers and everyone at Northampton especially the galley for great food services.


See everyone at Derwent in July

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Virtual Rigger Topper 4.2 National Series 4, at Paignton Sailing Club

Paignton Sailing Club is the closest sailing club in the national series to us so there was no leaving school early for me this time.

It has been a long time since there was a national series at Paignton sailing club, so everyone had a warm welcome as we arrived at the Promenade in our camper and put my boat into its berth in the dinghy park.

Early on Saturday there was no wind and after the sailors briefing there was a 2 hour postponement. After helping Simon set up at the VR van parked at the harbour, I made the most of the morning with my squad and we went to play mini-golf

Launching on the Saturday was easy, as the tide was out and there was lots of space on the beach.  In the 4.2 fleet we did three races in light winds, I came 6th, 1st and 4th, this meant I was 3rd overnight and happy with the day.

On Sunday there was no postponement, so we launched as planned. It was fun when we launched  - the tide was in and a group of volunteers were in the water helping us get off the slipway.  Unfortunately by the time we reached the race course all the wind had gone.  We hung around the line messing about waiting for the wind to reappear. Happily we got three races in, I came 7th, OCS and a 9th meaning overall I finished 6th, and was happy with the weekend.

Thank you to everyone at Paignton Sailing Club, all the volunteers for helping and a personal thank you to my sponsor Virtual Rigger for my great Gul kit and all the great prizes for the 4.2 fleet.

See everyone at Northampton for the 4.2 National Championships or at Derwent for NS5.

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VR Topper 4.2 Inlands - 3rd place

3rd place and leading the overall 4.2 series after three events

After a flat calm on Saturday that stopped all racing, there was enough wind on Sunday morning for us to get afloat and start our first race on schedule at 9:55, aiming to get in as many races as possible.

The first start had a port bias line and because of a shift we could nearly reach to the mark. In the first race both Hakan and I got a port flyer and were able to cross the whole fleet - I came 2^nd overall which I was very happy with. In the second race I came 3^rd after another port flyer. In the third race I came tenth because I got a knock and so was glad of a rest as we came in for lunch.  We did two more races in the afternoon and I got a 2^nd and in the last race I got a 9^th.

Overall I came 3rd with Milly in 2nd (well done Milly, a fellow south west sailor and her first national event) and well done Hakan, the new VR 4.2 Inland Champion in 1^st.

Thank you to everyone at the club and all the volunteers for helping and a personal thank you to my sponsor Virtual Rigger for my great Gul kit and great prizes for the 4.2's.

See everyone at Paignton for the next National Series event with Virtual Rigger

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Final South West Topper Zone Squad for 2014 at Paignton Sailing Club

On Saturday we spent four and a half hours on the water focussing on wave sailing, starts and using tethered rudders to get a sense of steering just with the boat movement. 

It was fun sailing in waves but some people felt sea sick. 

After a long days training we had a party with our coaches and all the parents as it was our last zone squad and Drew’s birthday.  

The club did a fantastic curry and we presented Lynne and Duncan with some customised chairs.

On Sunday the clocks went forward so we lost an hour of sleep. 

I was the first one rigged but we didn’t get out immediately until the wind filled in. 

When we did get out we practised on tethered rudder again and it was really fun. 

We also did some races and Duncan & Lynn kept the results - I came mid fleet in all the races and these would count towards selection for the ET’s.

On Monday I got an email saying that I have been chosen for the ET’s!!!

Thank you everyone at Paignton Sailing Club, Duncan and Lynn for a great last weekend.

See everyone at Frampton in a couple of weekends!

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RYA Ranker & RYA South West Topper Zone Squad

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RYA South West Topper Zone Squad training camp at Mount Batten

So very windy in Plymouth, Saturdays training was blown off !

A 6am start saw us heading off just as the sun came up.  The skies were clear and there was no wind, however by the time we reached Plymouth Saturday’s forecast was turning into reality with gale force winds, white horses and gusts strong enough to blow you over.  Mum had a lucky escape on the outside staircase nearly coming down quicker than she had just walked up !  The winds were so strong parents took boats off of car roofs and transferred them to spare racks on other squaddies trailers and then tied everything down securely.


Our Squad spent Saturday in the classroom on theory and fitness sessions.  Saturday’s theory covered tidal sailing, course strategy, top tips before the start and protests.  No broken furniture this time!!!

Luckily we were staying on site at the Mount Batten Centre which meant we had sea views all weekend and not too far to go to breakfast and boat rigging on Sunday morning.Sunday provided 4 hours of mixed sailing conditions. 

We had sunshine, we had squally rain showers with winds ranging from 12 – 25 knots but best of all we were out on the water having fun in some challenging conditions. 

My coach persuaded me to go out on my 5.3 sail.  I improved a lot on my downwind sailing throughout the day and only capsized a couple of times which was great as this was the first time of using my 5.3 in these conditions.


After lunch, relaunch was interesting as the tide had gone out & our ribs were high and dry or rather stuck in the mud!  Coaches, parents and a few Plymouth Uni students to the rescue and eventually the ribs were water side again. 

A few bumps and bruises given the sailing conditions and we were all relieved that our team mate who went to A&E for a check-up was sent home to rest.  No long term injuries just a nasty knock on the head from someone else’s boom.

Thank you for everyone at Mountbatten and Duncan and Lynn for a great weekend

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RYA South West Topper Zone Squad training camp at Castle Cove

a Weekend at "Wey-biza"

We only live an hour away from Castle Cove so I didn’t get any time off school for travelling :(  

Saturday got off to an interesting start, we arrived at Castle Cove and realised the trailer keys were still at home.  Dad and a lump hammer soon solved that problem!

Saturday’s weather conditions proved challenging with many of us using 4.2 sails in an attempt to stay upright in the 25 – 30 knots.  Launching was a team effort with a couple of parents in wet suits to help us launch and head in the right direction, boats smashing against the rocks would not have made a good start to training.  Swimming in the sea in January wasn’t quite what the dads  had in mind when they set out with their sailors that morning!

As it was so gusty we focused on upwind and downwind sailing in heavy winds and waves. We spent about 3 and a half hours on the water doing our best to stay upright and learning how to sail up & down the waves and make good progress with the conditions in hand.  I forgot my SeaBands which was a bad move.  Time on the water proved fast and fun but very tiring, with lots of effort required to hike out and keep our boats flat. 

The highlight of the Saturday’s theory session was when Duncan tried to demonstrate how to surf a wave by using a chair. Apologies to the sailing club for the chair that now needs mending. Photos made it straight onto FaceBook thanks to Lynn our other coach J

Sunday proved that weather conditions can offer a weekend of opposites, today the wind dropped right off to 5 – 11 knots and the sun was shining.  Sails were swapped to 5.3’s and the 4 hours on the water were spent learning a lot about light wind sailing.  My tacks and gybes improved as the day went on, reducing steering in my gybe being one of the aims for today.

Thank you to everyone at Castle Cove Sailing Club and Duncan and Lynn for a great weekend. 

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Feva perspective from the Bloody Mary - the biggest UK pursuit race

I left home with my mum and dad on the Friday after I finished school to get to our hotel. When we got there I rang my helm (Dan) to check everything was ok for Saturday, then I watched the silent briefing and went to bed ready for a long day ahead.

On Saturday morning we got to the club just before the big rush of cars and boats arrive.!  Dan’s dad had booked a club Feva for us and after setting up the spinnaker, jib and had the mainsail ready to go we attached the boat to the pontoon ready to get to the start line. 

We were one of the first Fevas released so we sailed the first bit of the course and tested our spinnaker. Half an hour later, the Toppers had launched and it was time for us to get ready for our start.

After the first mark the Fevas spread out among the fleet and we were racing the biggest pursuit race in the UK. 

After 2 and a half hours of racing we came in 249th out of 320+ boats and Dan and I were very chuffed for finishing - and we came in ahead of the Moths. 

It was great to see so many of our friends do well and we finished one place behind Mike (Coco’s dad)  AND Coco had beaten him !!! After everyone had said their goodbyes and thankyou’s we went back to Coco’s house for a celebratory dinner.

On Sunday morning Rachel helped me with some extra kit before the long trip home and I was asleep in 5 minutes on the motorway.

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