The Open racing on the second Sunday will stay, but with the introduction of this new "Basic Topper Racing"  program, only beginners will be allowed to race on the FIRST sunday of every month. The new program is designed to get beginners to race Toppers while the "experts" are sailing Hobies. It allows beginners a chance to watch the starting sequence for the Hobies, close up. Having the different groups present at the same time will allow the beginners and take advantage of the bouys and race committee already set up for Hobie Racing. Because everything is already set up anyway, its easy for the  RC to set simple courses for the Topper sailors, who might not have even finished their basic sailing classes yet! Further, it gives them the option to choose to move into a Hobie if hobie skippers need crew, or they might just decide to race a hobie instead of a Topper. 

The first Basic Topper winner was Jon Bulaong.  He didn't win the first race. After the second, he was tied. From there on though, he had it. 

I talked to Jon later, and he said "it was only my second time to ride a topper that sunday (that's why i 
hesitated to join the race), without any instruction! i had taken two sessions with nestor on the hobie, but not on the topper. so it was lakas-ng-loob and kapal-ng-mukha!"
 

 And who was the main competition?  The smiling, amiable Guen Cerilla. She whipped him in the light stuff (she's less than 100 lbs, I think). 
But naturally, as the wind built up through the afternoon, he gained the advantage.  Got to give credit where its due though, This is really nice form for someone who hasn't even completed her 5 basic lessons yet! Great boat trim. 

 Leng Laysa is a nurse from UST. She hasn't finished her 5 lessons yet either.  She came third. 

 All things considered, it was a good start for Basic Topper Racing, and its a definite that TLYC will be offering basic topper racing on hobie "Monthly" race days. 

 Thanks Quiksilver!