Topper Traveller action and prize giving photos have been added to this site under Gallery

– the most recent gallery being the action and the prize giving on 10 April 2016.

Access the gallery via the top bar – Gallery tab – More action shots were taken and are to be loaded later.

Report on the Topper Traveller Weekend (10/11 April 2016) at EDYC

This brief report is for those who missed the weekend Topper event at EDYC on 10/11 April 2016. Saturday was the training day and was conducted as planned with the club loaning three RIBS to Topper coaches, who instructed a squad of 25 toppers at a coach with RIB ratio to pupils as 6:0 – obviously two other RIBs were used. The sun was out and the wind was about 14 knots so a pleasant and useable session was had, despite some sailors only learning about wind shadow and tide as they made their way out of the Dorn against an incoming spring tide. We operated a beach master tally system and gave classroom facilities in the morning as the tide was very low.

Sunday was the event day with three races targeted at about 45 mns race time each. Registration was very capably handled in the clubhouse 09:00 to 10:00 and the fleet were briefed at 10:15 and then changes making their way to rigging boats and assembling at the top of the slip – some 48 entries (47 sailing). The safety fleet assembled and the topper fleet were released towards a committee boat moored close to Killyleagh in an Easterly breeze which varied above 15 knots reaching some 24 knots for periods and gusts.

The first race saw a busy safety fleet – with the course being a trapezoid with an outlying sausage for the bigger/full sail Toppers and omitting the sausage for the smaller 4.2 rigs. After this race the conditions were such that the Race Officer abandoned the small rig fleet racing and eight sailors returned to the safety of the Dorn and slipway. There were also many retirals from full rig sailors and the racing fleet was iro 27 for the next two races. The last race was delayed by a wind shift from Easterly to ENE but after some mark adjustment, it was successfully undertaken, then all competitors were shepherded to the slipway again and through the tally system by the beach staff.

Many further photographs were taken and these are expected to be released via our club WEB site and http://www.topperireland.com/. A number of action and prize photos are already on display at EDYC site. Food was provided for competitors in the club house and the prize giving was at 16:15 in Holm Bay bar. Some 16 prizes were distributed along with a help yourself carton of Haribo sweets. All competitors seemed pleased.

Competitors and parents accomplished their packing up and the site was noticeable emptying by 17:30. Club equipment was recovered and returned to various roofed portions of the premises. Some club equipment will need checked before the next event, however no major breakages or losses are known about.

The event was seen as a success. Please accept the club thanks for member’s work in preparation, conducting and post event work. Thanks to all competitors and support helpers for their attendance and involvement. Good luck to all competitors for future events and the worlds.