The Kent Schools Sailing Association’s open Splash Trophy event, hosted by Wilsonian SC on Saturday 21 April, attracted 22 entries. Four classes were represented – 16 Toppers, two Optimists, two Radial Lasers, a Laser and RS200. There were occasional glimpses of the sun and the Force 2-3 north-easterly gave excellent sailing conditions.

For the two back-to-back races in the morning a triangular lapping course was set. The Optimists completed one lap and the rest two laps, with results based on average lap times.

In the first race, the RS200 sailed by Claire and Helen Stubbs (Downs SC/Dover Grammar) took the lead on the beat to the windward mark, closely pursued by the Laser of Ian Mairs (Chipstead SC/St Olaves). Only 10 seconds separated them after the first lap but on the second Stubbs gradually drew ahead to finish by a three-minute margin for first and second places on corrected time. Meanwhile, Mark Heather from the host club, the current Topper world champion, showed his credentials by leading the Topper fleet home for third spot. Heather was chased all the way though by Topper helmsman Jonathan White (Pevensey Bay SC/The Priory), finishing 20 seconds behind for fourth slot and Thomas Steadman from the home club picked up fifth place in his Optimist.

There was a ding-dong battle between the Subbs duo and Mairs in the second race. A windshift though prevented the RS200 using their spinnaker on the reaching leg and Mairs took advantage of this to lead by over a minute at the line but had to settle for second place on handicap. Top spot was taken by Heather who again led the Topper fleet from start to finish. This time Heather was followed home by fellow Topper club member Richard Wallis (Borden Grammar) to claim third spot and with White again taking fourth place the Stubbs sisters had to be content with fifth place.

After lunch a new course was set, as the wind had veered to the south-east. The top contenders for the KSSA Open Splash Trophy were again out in front and with two races to count Heather made certain of victory by comfortably claiming another first. The Stubbs managed to keep ahead of Mairs this time, finishing 50 seconds ahead that was sufficient for second place for the race and the same for the event, while Mairs with two seconds claimed third prize. Jonathan White with two fourths was the same overall, while fifth and sixth places were awarded to Paul Turnill and Katie Restall respectively, although they both finished on 13 points, Turnill had a fifth to count in the last race.

Wilsonian SC Rear Commodore Ann Heather presented the prizes.

Overall Results

1st 42656, Topper Mark Heather (Wilsonian SC/Leigh CTC)

2nd 438, RS200 Claire and Helen Stubbs (Downs SC/Dover Grammar)

3rd 135574, Laser, Ian Mairs (Chipstead SC/St Olaves)

5th 27502, Topper, Jonathan White (Pevensey Bay SC/The Priory)

5th 41839, Topper, Paul Turnill (Bewl SC/MGS)

6th 43170, Topper, Katie Restall (Downs SC/Dover Grammar)

First Optimist

4061, Thomas Steadman (Wilsonian SC/More Park)

Endeavour Trophy for perseverance

42750, Topper, Krystina Wallis (Wilsonian SC/Highstead Grammar)