Topper Traveller Report May 2005

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Hats off to the "Topper" class!

reported by

Maurice Withers

        In sailing conditions that were as close to ideal as it is possible to get in these climes - although the moderate north-easterly wind did, in fact, have something of a 'sting' in it - thirty young "Topper" class helmsmen and girls took to the water on Saturday May 14 to participate in the third stage of the highly popular 'Topper' Traveller Trophy.

The event was won by Cushendall's sixteen-year-old Barry McCartin (Sail 45041).  Barry clinched the weekend's three-race event with a total of 2 points. His efforts were rewarded by a fifth position in race one and firsts in the remaining two chases around the buoys. He discarded his fifth position to win with his two remaining firsts.

The event attracted young "Topper" class sailors from all over the Province and a few from Southern Ireland.  Local participants belonged to clubs as widely scattered as Carrickfergus, the Quoile and East Down on Strangford Lough, Lough Erne and Royal North itself.

As an observer and guest on board Gerry Allen's "Pirate King," I am pleased to comment on  the total commitment and enthusiasm of all those 30 young sailors last weekend.  Their excited language was of boats and courses, sails and conditions, of gybes and tacks, of signal flags and 'hooters', marks and legs - indeed, nothing else seemed to matter, not even the chilly northerly wind which would have seen off many a lesser mortal that Saturday.

The wind was quite cold indeed, particularly as the youngsters were launching their "Toppers". But the sun shone out of a cloudless azure sky all day and the waves rolled in from Whitehead and didn't provide any difficulties. The wind direction, by the way,  was pretty constant.

Indeed, so settled were the conditions that the Committee Boat - Gerald Allen's Westerly Centaur "Pirate King" - did not have to change station from its moorings the entire day.

The event formed part of the Colden Cow-sponsored Youth Games which were held in conjunction with the Sports Council of Northern Ireland. Lisa Waugh of the Royal Yachting Association's Northern Ireland division attended along with Bill O'Hara, Performance Manager of the NI RYA.

Lisa Waugh said the Saturday "Topper" event marked the culmination of the RYA/Sports Council Regional Development Squad Training programme which began in September with the Youth Championships and which was open to all "Topper" sailors. Following that event, the top "Topper" folk were  invited to attend selective training.

"We are trying to coach as many kids as we can," said Lisa. "To-day is the end of the Regional Development Programme and it ends with the Golden Cow games which are part of the Topper Traveller series. We have this afternoon the Golden Cow Cup for the best team belonging to a local club as well as the Topper Traveller prizes themselves.

"What we are trying to do is to build up a good base of competitive sailing so that our young helmsmen and girls do not have to go overseas to get world class competition.  This is the first year we have had such an intensive training programme and it has gone well." 

The event was also attended by "Topper" Class Secretary Wendy Barlow who has contributed considerably to building up the class in recent years.

Carrickfergus Sailing Club sailors were among the top three in Saturday's event.  Fourteen-year-old Chris Penny (Sail 431471) took second position with three points while club-mate Matt McMurtry, who is 16, (Sail 44948) was third with six points.

A very creditable performance indeed was put up by fourteen-year-old Maria Dolan from Blessington Sailing Club, Eire, who succeeded in clinching the fourth position. This was made up of eight points made up of a fifth spot in race two and a third in race three. A less impressive 14th position in race one was discarded. Maria was the leading girl in Saturday's series.

Principal Race Officer was Royal North's Nigel Kearney - indeed, the Kearney family appears to be extremely active in these dinghy events as his brother Michael officiated at the Northern "Mirror" class championships at Ballyholme just a week ago which was won by Nigel's son Ross.

"Conditions were very good indeed although the wind may have been a little strong at the beginning just before race one.  But we had no mishaps and everything went smoothly.  It's great to see so many young sailors on the water and the entire fleet performed well and knew exactly what was going on.

"The wind direction and consistency allowed me to set three trapezoidal courses which are slightly more complicated than the frequently used windward-leeward courses but provide the helms with a lot of interesting sailing," he said.

The thirty-strong fleet was supported by more than adequate rescue boats supplied both by the host club itself and other Belfast Lough sailing clubs.

Royal North provided a barbecue at the end of the three-race series and lunches of ham rolls were provided at sea. 

On board the committee boat were - Gerald Allen, Mrs. Elizabeth Allen, Libby and Alistar Hunter, Sheryl Bates, Derek Wilson, Nigel Kearney and Lucy Kearney.

Results were managed by Attracta Nelson of Royal North.

The morning scones jam and cream served with coffee for parents were provided by Royal North's First Officer Mrs. Mandy McNeill and "AJ" Anderson, along with a small group of willing volunteers.

The main organiser was Mr. Thomas Anderson and his committee.

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