Datchet Topper Open 2002
Waite, third Louis McVeigh and fourth Andy Fielder all three of whom are members of the RYA National squad.
Four Datchet Junior & Youth Squads members - Tom Hatch, Tom Wilson, Lyndsey Cox and Daniel Roberts - got their first taste of Open Meeting racing on Saturday 12th October. They took on fifteen visiting sailors in the final event of the Regional Topper Travellers Trophy.
In a north-westerly wind gusting 15-20 knots at times, the home teams abilities were often stretched, and the four-race schedule tested their reserves of energy and concentration. They all performed commendably and demonstrated the great improvement in performance theyve achieved during the year.
Tom Hatch ended the top Datchet sailor in 13th place, closely followed by Tom Wilson in 14th. Congratulations to both of them for competing hard to the end and giving the visitors a good race.
In some close racing at the front of the fleet, Chris Catt from Downs SC took overall honours. This win also brought him first place in the overall Travellers series to complete a successful season which included 3rd place in the Nationals and 2nd in the Worlds. Second in the Open meeting was Robert The Datchet juniors now have to set their sailing goals for the new year, and while they might not be ready for National squad status yet, at least they know they can now mix it with the best!
Andrew Wilson
Pos Class Sail No Helm Club 1 TOPPER 42079 Chris Catt Downs SC 2 TOPPER 42619 Robert Waite Downs SC 3 TOPPER 44350 Louis McViegh 4 TOPPER 43229 Andy Fielder Broadwater 5 TOPPER 34992 Nigel Pepperdine Frampton on Severn 6 TOPPER 43770 Tom Ellis Broadstairs 7 TOPPER 44348 Ben McVeigh 8 TOPPER 44405 Joseph Wellerd Crawley Mariners YC 9 TOPPER 43746 Mitch Webb Downs SC 10 TOPPER 23797 Richard Pepperdine Frampton on Severn
Photos: Photos