Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club

29 boats arrived for the final Topper Traveller. So did the sun. But the forecast 8 knot Easterly got lost en route, so the morning was spent tug-of-warring, raft building and early lunching. A ghost of a ripple appeared at 1pm and racing commenced.

Race 1 – You might remember Clive Jackson, age 34, from last year, finishing second overall in boat number 16516. Well, Clive has bought a new boat. New to him that is - boat number 17501. For the uninitiated, the top squaddies are sporting sail numbers in the 46,000s.

Their sails crackled impressively with impregnated resin, promising light-air speed galore. Clive's old yellow sail looked as limp as HBOS's share price in comparison. In this slow one lapper, Charlotte Fenn led at the first mark, with Jonathan Hewat second and Ben Cooper third. Then the wind arrived. Clive's yellow relic became positively perky as he romped past half a dozen boats to finish second to Charlotte.

Race 2 - This became a match race between Ollie Machell and Clive, who both opened up a big lead on the rest. Ollie repulsed Clive's frequent attacks until the final downwind mark when Clive managed to gain a six inch inside overlap on Ollie, came away from the mark in the lead and took the race.

Race 3 - Ollie was hurt by this. He horizoned the fleet in the next race, winning by a 100 metres. Jonathan Hewat managed to hold off Clive for second place, setting the stage for the final race decider, with Clive and Ollie on 3 points, Jonathan on 5, Charlotte on 6, after 1 discard for each.

Race 4 - Those waiting at the first windward mark for an action packed rounding by the four contenders were a little surprised to find none in the first three. Island Barn junior Alistair Smithwas the surprise leader, followed closely by ex Area Rep Jo Wicken and Louis Knevett. Three of the leaders, Ollie, Jonathan and Charlotte had gone left on the beat and the wind had gone right. Wise Clive had stayed in the middle and rounded first of the leaders in 4th, with Jonathan, Ollie and Charlotte back in 8th, 10th and 15th. Louis Knevett passed the two leaders to win. Clive just needed to cover his rivals to the finish, which he did in style, pipping Jo Wicken on the line for second and securing the overall First Prize.