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ITCA Administrator: Helen Evans Address: 4 Dig Lane, Wynbunbury, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 7EZ, England Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1270 567047 Email: topperworld@dsl.pipex.com
Latest news:
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM GEORGE CLARK
Dear International Members,
As you may know I had planned to retire after this years World Championships however this has had to be brought forward as I am unable to attend the Championships on health grounds, for which I apologise. Roger Proctor has very kindly agreed to carry out the duties of ITCA President at the opening ceremony and also chair the next international Committee meeting. My successor will be announced by the international committee after this meeting.
Over the past five years Topper sailing has grown globally, we have increased the international class membership by two nations and there are still a number of potential member nations. We also have annual World Championship Regattas. My thanks go to all those who work so hard for the good of the Association, many are volunteers who receive no remuneration.
In conclusion please continue to be guided by the best traditions of good sportsmanship and international friendship.
As I doubt that I will meet you again in my present capacity may I say Farewell and Good Sailing.
Very best wishes
George Clark
ITCA President and Chairman of the International Committee
WELCOME TO THE KOREA TOPPER CLASS ASSOCIATION
The Korea Topper Class Association (KTCA) has been established for the advancement of youth sailing in Korea. They're looking forward to participating in 2010 Topper World Championships at Lake Garda. KTCA president Mr. Oh Jong Yeol will introduce more about KTCA during the event. Contact details for KTCA Secretary Lina Joo can be found on the ITCA Committee Members page.
GUL TOPPER WORLDS 2010
The Notice of Race for the 2010 GUL Topper World Championships to be held at Malcesine Sailing Club on Lake Garda is now available on this website. We apologise for the late publication due to unforeseen circumstances. ITCA, Fraglia vela Malcesine and ITCA (ITA) are working towards making this a superb event and are looking forward to returning to Lake Garda and meeting up with old friends and making new ones.
There are one or two points that I would like to draw your attention to. Entry forms, to be published shortly, should be completed and returned by the 4th July. Payment is to be made at registration by either cash or credit card which makes it easier and more economical than systems used previously. It is most important that you return the form in time to secure your place and to assist the club, ITCA (ITA) and ourselves with the organisation.
Boats, trailers and cars can park on the club site from Thursday 19th to Sunday 29th August. Camper vans will not be permitted onto the club car park during the event. See Notice of Race.
If you require assistance with booking accommodation Alison and Charles Kinsley will be happy to help. Contact details are – kinsley@alice.it Tel. 00 39 3386053096
Fax. 0039 339 6659085. Cell. 0039 339 6659085
Charter costs for the event are -
Complete Race rigged Topper £495.00
Raced rigged Topper excluding sail £395.00
Boats will be allocated on receipt of payment prior to the event. Please send payment with your full details to:
Rick Reading
Topper International Ltd. Kingsnorth Technology Park, Wotton Rd, Ashford, Kent. TN23 6LN
ENGLAND.
Competitors wishing to have their own boats transported out from the UK can do so. I believe that Sailboat Deliveries, see the ITCA (GBR) website, are willing to make arrangements and Alex Storrar has sent the following information.
Toppers to Lake Garda.Italy - August 2010
Why drive from the UK when you can jump on a plane and be there in a few hours?
Alex Storrar of Meditrans Ltd is pleased to announce that he is now taking bookings for transporting your Topper hull/trolley/spars/sails and 1x sailing bag to and from Lake Garda for the sum of £285.00 return, this includes collection from the Nationals at Pwllheli or other venue en route South to Gatwick, and return delivery to Nationwide Meeting at Largs (or other location en route) after the event. Collection from Holyhead or Birkenhead ferry ports is also an option for the Irish boats.
Total capacity is 16 dinghies with all hulls being supported on their deck/ bulkhead areas, towed by a Land Rover Discovery3 vehicle fitted with tachograph equipment. These plans are not a tablet of stone and are subject to change in order to make life as easy as possible for the majority. It would help if the small collapsible launching trolleys were used on this trip.
Our trailers carry goods in transit insurance up to a value of £75000. Our satisfied clients in the last few years include the R.Y.A./Topper International/Sarah Ayton & Shirley Robinson (Yngling Gold Medalists) Petticrows (Int.Dragon Yacht Builders)/Churchouse Boats (Drascombe Builders)/Selden Masts/Superspars etc etc
We are also able to collect arrivals at the airports of Verona or Brescia by prior arrangement. (6pax max at a time).
Please contact Alex on 0771 853 3824 (mob) or alexstorrar@yahoo.co.uk preferences together with a deposit of £150.00 payable A.Storrar to 4 Cygnets Close Redhill Surrey RH1 2QE this will be acknowledged by our invoice. The Balance is due 6 weeks before loading. In the event of cancellation, the deposit will be refunded less £25.00 admin fee on either the client or us obtaining a replacement booking.
Any queries contact Alex on 0771 853 3824 or alexstorrar@yahoo.co.uk
These items are for information only and ITCA does not endorse or take any responsibility for the services provided. The use of these companies is entirely at your own risk.
Ian Proctor Designs Ltd. Development Grant
Please see on this site the new arrangements for the grant generously supported by Ian Proctor Designs Ltd., Topper International Ltd., and ITCA.
GUL TOPPER WORLDS 2010
We can confirm that the 2010 Gul Topper World Championships will be hosted by Malcesine Sailing Club, Lake Garda supported by ITCA (Italy) from 21st to 27th August 2010. The Notice of Race will be pulished by the end of January 2010.
GUL TOPPER WORLDS 2009
Sunday July 19 Ebensee, is a small, typically Austrian village set on the south banks of Traunsee Lake amidst spectacular wooded and craggy mountains of limestone. The sailing club is a few minute’s walk from the village which is well provisioned with shops, and the all important ice cream and pizza. Most Brits arrived Tuesday through to Wednesday after a long (~16 hours) but generally straightforward drive from Parkstone National Series 3. Approximately 100 competitors have now assembled from about six countries including Japan.
Since Tuesday the weather has dished up Mediterranean sunshine, with temperatures up to 30oC, Scottish winter with fresh snow at 900m and thunderstorms that would grace Jupiter. The storm over Friday to Saturday was truly monsoonal and has resulted in the river by the club, the site of premier, riparian pitches on Tuesday, becoming a raging glacial torrent, with a rise in water level of half a meter. For those with kayaks a white water paradise. A strategically placed stick has brought a measure of calm and scientific clarity to concerns over whether the river is currently rising or falling.
The winds for training sessions have been generally light, between 3 and 8 knots. The prevailing direction is from the west, and westerlies appear to be set for the week. Conditions on the lake will be challenging for the sailors, and like Garda this is a venue for tactical brains and quick reaction. The steep, wooded valleys bring the wind across the lake to steep lakeside mountains. The centre of the lake is a Topper graveyard and wind shifts of 180o should provide some interesting challenges to the PRO and sailors.
We now all look forward to the opening ceremony and some competitive racing.
Opening ceremony Brass band, national anthems and speeches marked the customary opening of the championship. Welcomes were provided by the Mayor of Ebensee, presidents of the Austrian Sailing Federation and International Topper Class Association and Commodore of the Ebensee Club. Further feasting and music, followed by one of the loudest firework displays ever witnessed. Ninety-four sailors from Italy, Austria, Japan, Germany, Ireland and Great Britain are now gathered and ready for two days of qualifying. Weather permitting.
Monday July 20 Great expectations all rigged and ready, 10am launch for the start of the qualifiers. A light westerly wind, overcast with an occasional shower. First start off to a “challenging” start in dying wind. A right hand, land favoured side of the beat. Second flight away as wide dies from the centre of the lake. Wind dies completely and the race is abandoned as the first start round the leeward mark on the first lap, half a lap into the race; all recalled to land to await further instructions. Racing abandoned at 5-40pm. A 6pm general briefing announces a 6am launching and four races as a single fleet will be raced back to back tomorrow. A windward leeward course is posted. The campsite is quiet for the first time in a week.
Tuesday July 21 Race 1. Launching commences at 6 am in a 12 knot breeze. Course is changed to a single lap trapezoid outer loop. Boats are obviously over the line but no recall and the precedent is set for the day. A good and steady westerly breeze continues through the first beat and reach, shifty and lightening conditions followed to the leeward mark. The racing remained close through to the short beat to the finish: Felicity Foulds (1st, GBr), Michael Beckett (2nd, GBr) and Andrew Bridgman (3rd, GBr) took first honours.
Race 2. In lightening conditions word goes around the fleet, that the course will be changed back to the windward – leeward course. An inability to communicate this to the fleet leads to the same single lap trapezoid as in race 1. Again many boats over the line but the race continues in a mix of medium breeze and shifty conditions. The leading group are overhauled down the run to the leeward mark as the wind fades on the left side of the course. Finn Lynch (1st, Irl), Stephen Duke (2nd, Irl) and George Meredith (3rd, GBr) read the conditions best. A further lightening of conditions mark an end of racing for the morning, two races of less than 30 mins in the bag before 0930 hrs and back to shore for breakfast.
Race 3. As the breeze freshens before lunch the fleet is launched for the remaining two races. The fleet are now really testing the PRO. The majority are again over the line but not recalled. The fleet is split up the beat, with a favoured right hand side. Leaders are well away as fleet remerges at the windward mark and a multi-boat pile up is caused by a boat barging in from port at the mark. The rest of the race appears largely uneventful. Christopher Eames (1st, GBr), James Dugdale (2nd, GBr) and Tom Bucktrout (3rd, GBr) read the conditions to come out best in this race.
Race 4. Further controversy ensues following the starting of race 3. About a third of the fleet are on the foredeck paddling to the line at 30 seconds to go and the start is postponed. At the second attempt a general recall with lead boats four boat lengths over the line, the remainder of the fleet over the line by a smaller margin, results in a round the ends warning but no black flag. Finally away at a third attempt, racing continues in a very congested fashion to the outer windward mark. Here a rising breeze spreads the fleet on route to the leeward mark. A close finish is taken by Finn Lynch (1st, Irl), Felicity Foulds (2nd, GBr) and Haruka Komiya (3rd, Jpn).
The day ends in acrimony as redress is sought on all the starts, but particularly the start of race 3. Jury upholds only part of the protest and the results from race 3 are cancelled. Further protests are pending on the jury’s decision to cancel race 3. As people drift to bed in anticipation of another 6 am start and likely delays as protests are heard. It is not yet clear whether the results of the qualifiers will stand. At the end of the qualifiers provisional results stand at Finn Lynch (1st, Irl), Felicity Foulds (2nd, GBr) and Stephen Duke (3rd, Irl).
 Wednesday July 22 The masses are assembled at sunrise in a reasonable breeze and launch signals are sounded. The PRO heads down the lake into the rising sun, alone. With protests pending Toppers are advised not to launch. For those old enough, memories of 1970s picket lines and labour solidarity spring to mind. But those with a greater knowledge of the rules than myself noted no postponement flag flying, is there trouble ahead? The jury assemble at 0800 hrs a two hour postponement is declared and a time out gives time to think. Following jury discussions sailors and parents are asked to consider two options, 1) cancel the quailifier series by unanimous agreement or, b) jury will hear all protests (~30). Unanimous agreement is not achieved and at 1215 hrs a decision to proceed is presented, “present results stand and may be subject to the results of the redress decisions which will be applied after the jury’s hearings.” Outstanding protests will be heard at the end of racing. Sailing instructions cover the possible recalculation of the qualifier series after boats have been assign to fleets. The gold and silver fleet finally set sail together. George Clark (ITCA President) said “whilst the lessons of the qualifier series have been learnt the championship continues on course, excellent weather today and the hospitality and friendship of our hosts is much appreciated.” A black flag is flown all day with the obvious calming effect on the fleet.
Championship Series (CS) race 1. Some confusion continues as sailors appear to be given 6 minutes to launch but after the preceding 6 hours barely causes a ripple at the increasingly calm southern shore of the lake. A two beat windward – leeward course with short spreader reach is sailed in light shifty winds (5- 8 knots). Port end biased and right hand side favoured the race appears uneventful. The only concerns appear to be the proximity of the local nudist beach to the tight reach finish. Some comment on how early the moon appears to rise in these parts. Gold Fleet: Felicity Foulds (1st, GBr), Finn Lynch (2nd, Irl) and Micky Beckett (3rd, GBr). Silver Fleet: Lottie Harland (1st, GBr), James O'Hare (2nd, Irl) and Ihle Stephan (3rd, Ger).
CS race 2. Similar to race 1, fickle winds and a tight start gets away with little incident. The black flag is doing its job. The wind drops away towards the end but does not spoil a competitive race. Gold Fleet: Felicity Foulds (1st, GBr), Matt Venables (2nd, GBr) and George Meredith (3rd, GBr). Silver Fleet: James O'Hare (1st, Irl), Lottie Harland (2nd, GBr) and Laura Barnes (3rd, GBr).
CS race 3. A number of black flags as the long day and sunshine start to take their toll of tired brains. The wind is extreme fluky and large calm patches appear and disappear across the course with regular monotony. Boats are clumped around the course, some reaching, some beating and some becalmed. Crowded marks and slow progress lead to a very noisy race. Spoiling the serenity of you know where! Gold Fleet: Andrew Bridgman (1st, GBr), Andrew Green (2nd, GBr) and Tom Piggott (3rd, GBr). Silver Fleet: Helen Armstrong (1st, GBr), Rosie Povall (2nd, GBr) and Laufer Stefan (3rd, Ger).
Sailors get back to shore at 1735 hrs, another very long day. The general opinion is the race management is much improved, people now know the limits. Sailors are much happier. At the end of the day Gold Fleet results Felicity Foulds (1st, 12 points), Finn Lynch (2nd, 24 points) and Michael Beckett (3rd, 32 points). It is closer at the top of Silver Fleet: Helen Armstrong (1st, 91points, GBr), Jamie Purcell (2nd, 95 points, GBr) and James O’Hare (3rd, 118 points, Irl).
Tomorrow is another 6 am start, one fleet will race with four races planned round a windward-leeward course. If conditions continue like today it looks like there will be little change to the course or launching times for the rest of the regatta, o joy.
Thursday July 23 CS race 4. Sailors again watch the rising sun as they launch in the first decent breeze of the week, kite surfers are out strutting their stuff. A 15-20 knots westerly wind blows across a windward-leeward course down the lake and largely out of sight of the clubhouse, the rescue and coach boats are kept busy getting sailors to the line for a 7am first start. Fleet leaders and tail-enders are all having difficulty staying upright. All coach and jury boats have to supplement the two rescue boats. Two minor injuries and about six retire in the challenging conditions. Close and competitive racing follows from a good start. A split beat, and again a right hand favour. The run results in further capsizes, leaders finish by 0745hrs and tail-enders are given a position from the back of the fleet. Gold Fleet: Alex Alcock (1st, GBr), Chris Eames (2nd, GBr), Andrew Bridgman (3rd, GBr). Silver Fleet: Laura Barnes (1st, GBr), Nathan Ackroyd (2nd, GBr), James O’Hara (3rd, Irl).
CS race 5. Centre and starboard end boats get away without incident and find helpful lifts out right. Fleet is stretched by the windward mark and a largely uneventful run. Leeward rounding on the first lap is competitive and further capsizes result on the gybe. The wind drops to a friendlier 12-15knots during the second lap which finishes largely incident free. Gold Fleet: Finn Lynch (1st, Irl), Andrew Bridgman (2nd, GBr), Alex Alcock (3rd, GBr). Silver Fleet: Jung Andreas (1st, Ger), Callum McCullough (2nd, GBr), Benjamin Knight (3rd, GBr).
CS race 6. 20+ knots at the start results in drifting down the line, a boat tacks in from beyond the pin and causes a major pile up and capsizes at the pin end. Gold and silver fleet leaders both involved and are seriously compromised at the start. A capsized tail ender lies stricken against a rescue boat in the middle of the course as race 6 is started. Wind is steady 12-15 knots for the first lap which appears largely incident free. Sailors are now awake and enjoying having a wind to pull against. Neither side of the beat appears to be favoured. By the second lap the fleet is spread down the course. A few tail-enders capsize on the final run to the finish. Gold Fleet: Robbie Gilmore (1st, GBr), Andrew Bridgman (2nd, GBr), Chris Eames (3rd, GBr). Silver Fleet: James O’Hara (1st, GBr), Callum McCullough (2nd, GBr), Jung Andreas (3rd, Ger).
CS race 7. The wind is now dropping from the windward mark down the course to the finish line. An efficient start results in the race being completed. By the time the leaders reach the windward mark the wind has dropped to steady 5 knots. The shifty conditions of previous days are not repeated. A largely uneventful race follows as the leading twenty pull away by the second beat. All are pleased if a little worn out as the completion of four races means the championship is secure. Two more races tomorrow and a third discard will come into play. Gold Fleet: Michael Beckett (1st, GBr), Robbie Gilmore (2nd, GBr), Finn Lynch (3rd, Irl). Silver Fleet: James O’Hara (1st, GBr), Jamie Purcell (2nd, GBr), Charles Parry (3rd, GBR).
Lewis Neale gets a special mention today for helping two sailors having problems within the final minute in two separate races.
Even better news follows as a 10am launch is announced, with racing from 11am. Lets all hope for another good wind. Overall positions after 10 races: Gold Fleet: Felicity Foulds (1st, GBr, 31 pts), Andrew Bridgman (2nd, GBr, 34 pts), Finn Lynch (3rd, Irl, 35 pts). Silver Fleet: James O’Hara (1st, GBr, 73 pts), Jamie Purcell (2nd, GBr, 85 pts), Jung Andreas (3rd, Ger, 99 pts). The best positions for the other national teams are Haruka Komiga (30th, Jpn), Florian Wieser (74th, Austria) and Dominique Agarri (88th, Itl).
Friday July 24 CS race 8. The championship ends as it began in light shifty winds. Racing is postponed at 11am and launching finally follows at noon. The starting issues of the qualifying series return with half of the fleet over the line, black flag limp in the light wind. The majority of the fleet choose to head right expecting lifts. A few brave souls head far left tacking on shifts close to shore. A favourable lift from the left brings unexpected gains with the leaders able to lay the windward mark in 24 minutes. After the first mark the remainder of the lap is a slow procession, with Sammy Bonella extending her lead throughout. On the second lap all head left, bar Sammy who sticks centre right, the fleet out left cannot catch her and the gains obtained by the leaders at the windward mark are maintained to the finish. Gold Fleet: Sammy Bonella (1st, GBr), Finn Lynch (2nd, GBr), Andrew Bridgman (3rd, GBr). Silver Fleet: Callum McCullough (1st, GBr), Jamie O’Hare (2nd, Irl), Sarah Small (3rd, GBr).
CS race 9. The final race and Bridgman, Lynch and Foulds all have a chance of winning the championship. Mysteriously the start flag remains 15 seconds after the gun and technically all the fleet bar a few stragglers are over the line, no recall. Bridgman, Lynch and Meredith pull ahead on the first, left favoured beat. Foulds lies about 7th and appears to fall back up the first beat. Lynch leads at the first windward mark from Bridgman. The die is now cast for the rest of the race. The two leaders fight to lead down the run and Bridgman pulls slightly ahead. Close covering on the second beat two leaders are neck and neck all the way down the run. Bridgman steals first place on the line. Gold Fleet: Andrew Bridgman (1st, GBr), Finn Lynch (2nd, Irl), George Meredith (3rd, GBr). Silver Fleet: Laura Gilmore (1st, GBr), Charles Parry (2nd, GBr), Jamie Purcell (3rd, GBr). A flurry of protests against the race committee for the starts of both races, jury called as witness and video evidence, plus pumping and infringements on the start line against the winner are rejected, the results are finally announced at 7pm.
Andrew Bridgman (GBr) is the Topper World Champion this year. Second place in the Gold Fleet is Finn Lynch (Irl) and third is Felicity Foulds (GBr). The Silver Fleet is won by James O’Hare (Irl). Second place in the Silver Fleet is Lottie Harland (GBr) and third is Jamie Purcell (GBr). First adult and lady is Felicity Foulds (GBr), first junior female (age U16) is Abigail Hewitt (GBr), first junior male (age U16) is Andrew Bridgman (GBr), first senior female is Giulana Zampieri (Ita), first senior male is Udo Wendler (Ger).
Closing Ceremony A well and enthusiastically attended ceremony was enlivened by the Irish. The spirit of the Topper Class was renewed at the end when Andy Millington and the German coach exchanged shirts, a measure of new found friendship. Rumour has it the next Topper Worlds will be in Germany or Holland.
So all leave Austria older, wiser and poorer. Onshore people have made many new friends and our Austrian hosts were as hospitable and kind as could possibly be. If a good wind had provided exciting sailing all week the problematic starts might have been a minor issue, but for much of the week it was light and shifty winds that tasked the concentration of the sailors. Three 6am launches also began to take their toll on competitors and parents alike and so congratulations must go to all sailors for completing a particularly difficult week.
GUL TOPPER WORLDS 2008
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The 2008 Gul Topper World Championship was hosted by Tralee Bay Sailing Club, Ireland from 19th to 25th July. A record entry of 176 competitors took part in a very successful event.
Following the practice race and opening ceremony on Sunday the serious racing started on Monday with the qualification series. The competitors were split into four fleets to sail a series of round-robin races from which the Gold and Silver fleets would be decided. The light breeze produced challenging conditions for both the race officer and sailors. Three races were completed with Richard Cumpsty and Nathan Ackroyd winning the first races. Elliot Hanson claimed two firsts in the second and third races with Lorenzo Chiavarini taking a win in the second race and Richard Cumpsty a further win in the third race. Philip Doran of Ireland claimed two seconds and Jonathan Hewat produced two seconds and a third to keep up with the leaders.
The second day of qualification was sunny with a fresh South Westerly breeze that produced excellent racing conditions. The battle at the top remained close with Elliot Hanson and Richard Cumpsty claiming two firsts each, there were also wins form Philip Doran and Michael Beckett. Lorenzo Chiavarini kept in touch with a second and third. With twelve round-robin races sailed the competitors were split into Gold and Silver fleets.
Wednesday was sunny with a promising Easterly breeze in the morning when the fleet launched. Unfortunately the racing area at Fenit turned out to be the meeting point of an Easterly breeze blowing down the estuary and meeting a South Westerly breeze from the Atlantic. This produced a confused racing area with no consistency and many patches that led to racing being abandoned for the day.
Thursday morning started with a light South Easterly breeze and concern in the dinghy park that we may be in for a repeat of Wednesday, however the breeze continued to freshen to produce a good force 5 with strong gusts on top. The Gold fleet completed thee races with Richard Cumpstey closing the gap on Elliot Hanson with two fists, Elliot took two seconds. George Speeding despite some earlier set backs took a win in the third race of the day and Jonathan Hewat strengthened his hold on third place with a second and a third. The Silver fleet completed two races with Thomas Weekes dominating with two wins. By the end of Thursday Elliot Hanson and Richard Cumpsty couldn’t have been closer, both having equal points.
Friday morning produced a good photo opportunity with the tall ship the Jeanie Johnston sailing into Fenit harbour as the Topper fleet was sailing to the racing area. The South Westerly breeze was light for the first race but freshened to a force 4/5 for the second race and easing during the final race. In the Gold fleet Elliot Hanson took two firsts whilst Richard Cumpsty had to settle for a second and third. Lorenzo Chiavarini claimed a win in the third and final race. Irish sailor Philip Doran claimed fourth place overall with two fourths. In the Silver fleet Mark Taylor took two firsts with James O’Hare taking a first in the second race. Thomas Weekes claimed first place overall with a second and third.
The Gul Topper World Champion for 2008 is Elliot Hanson (GBR), with Richard Cumpsty (GBR) second, Jonathan Hewat (GBR) third and Philip Doran (IRL) fourth. First Adult Male was Nathan Ackroyd (GBR) (13th), First Lady was Felicity Foulds (GBR) (17th).
In the Silver Fleet the overall standings were Thomas Weekes (GBR) first, James Bennett (GBR) second and Jack Evans (GBR) third. First Senior Lady was Cordula Heise (GER) (40th).
In his closing speech, George Clark the President of the International Topper Class Association thanked all at Tralee Sailing Club, the Judges and sponsor Gul for their contributions and support in making a great success of the World Championship.
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TOPPER WORLDS SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
The sailing instructions for the Worlds have been published on the Tralee Bay Sailing Club's website at http://www.traleebaysailingclub.com/ and there will also be paper copies available at Registration.
TOPPER WORLDS PAYMENT
Anyone who has tried to complete payment online and has not been successful can make an alternative arrangement to pay by contacting Helen Evans preferably by email topperworld@dsl.pipex.com however, a completed entry form must be submitted to Tralee Bay Sailing Club.
The date for entries at the discretion of the committee, which attract an additional 25 euros, is extended to 4th July.
TOPPER WORLDS ENTRIES
The preferred method of paying entry fees is through Paypal however we understand that one or two people are having problems and Tralee Bay SC have now made arrangements to enable payment to be made into a bank account
To pay through the bank entries should be made online and an email sent to brendan@bjf.ie who will forward to you the banking system codes.
Flight details - attached is a timetable for flights into Kerry Airport which you may find useful.
Please, if anyone has any difficulties then do not hesitate to contact me or Tralee Bay SC.
Regards
HELEN
PAYMENTS FOR TOPPER WORLDS
We understand that there have been some issues with payments for the World Championships. Tralee have checked out the paypal system which they say is now working however when they examined the paypal logs they noticed that there were several failed payments. They say that it would be very helpful to them if anybody with a problem can describe or screen capture the same and forward to them by email brendan@bjf.ie. If anyone is still having problems please contact Helen Evans (ITCA Secretary).
 TOPPER WORLDS 2008 - NOR & ENTRY FORM
The Notice of Race and Entry Form for the 2008 Gul Topper World Championships can be obtained from Tralee Bay Sailing Club's website www.traleebaysailingclub.com .
STENA LINE OFFER
Stenaline are offering special rates for the Topper Worlds later this year. The special fares are fixed fares and can be amended without charge, subject to availability. There will be a £50 charge for cancellations. Please check with Stena Line for terms and conditions.
Anyone wishing to make use of the special rates simply log onto www.stenaline.co.uk/event enter your firstname, surname and event code SP051. Please ensure you enter the full web address in the http address bar and do not use a search engine.
TOPPER WORLDS 2008
The Gul Topper World Championships 2008 will take place during the period Saturday 19th July 2008 to Friday 25th July 2008 and be hosted by The Tralee Bay Sailing Club www.traleebaysailingclub.com at Fenit which is located approximately 6 miles due west of Tralee, Co Kerry, Ireland. The Notice of Race and Entry Form will be published by the end of January 2008.
GUL TOPPER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2007
The Topper Class returned to Lake Garda and our host Fraglia Vela Malcesine for a second year for the Gul Topper World Championship 2007.
Sunday 26th August - The opening ceremony for the World Championship was held in the historic setting of Malcesine. The 173 competitors paraded through the streets to the habour where they were welcomed by Gianni Testa the President of Fraglia Vela Malcesine. The Championship was formally opened by the President of ITCA, George Clark.
Monday 27th August - No racing as the afternoon breeze that was so reliable last year (except for the final race!) failed to develop.
Tuesday 28th August - An early start for the Topper fleet with the boats launching after 7am to catch the morning catabatic breeze coming down from the mountains. The fleet was separated into four flights and sailed a series of round-robin races to complete the qualification series from which they were separated into Gold and Silver fleets.
Race 1 (Green and Red) was won by the defending champion Andrew Brown, followed by Mike Wood and Joe Wellerd. Race 1 (Blue and Yellow) was won by Phil McCoy with Freddie Connor second and Max Richardson third.
Race 2 (Red and Yellow) was won by Ben Palmer with Mike Wood taking a second followed by Phil McCoy in third. Race 2 (Blue and Green) Andrew Brown took his second first followed by Freddie Connor and Sam Knight.
As the morning breeze failed the fleet came in for lunch and to wait for the afternoon breeze. The bright sunshine started the Southerly breeze, but a thunderstorm at the northern end of Lake Garda interrupted its development and what finally arrived was another northerly breeze! Which was good for race 3 but started to fail during race 4. However, four qualification races were completed giving a discard.
Race 3 (Green and Yellow) Andrew Brown made it three straight firsts with Matt Johnson and Tom Weatherhead second and third respectively. Race 3 (Blue and Red) Mike Wood went one better to take a first win followed by Sam Knight and Freddie Connor.
Race 4 (Blue and Yellow) Freddie Connor, never out of the top three, took his first win followed by Phil McCoy and George Spedding. Race 4 (Green and Red) was one by Lorenzo Chiavarini followed by Philip Doran and Ngaire Strawbridge.
Wednesday 29th August - Another early start for the Topper fleet launching promptly at 7am. The conditions were overcast with a light to moderate northerly breeze. Three races were completed in the morning. In both the Gold and Silver fleets the competition was strong with no one sailor dominating either series.
In the Gold Fleet race 1 was won by Ben Palmer with Mike Wood and Sam Knight second and third respectively. In race 2 first place was taken by Robin Elsey followed by Andrew Salt and defending champion Andrew Brown in third place. In race 3 Mike Wood went one better taking a first with Andrew Brown improving with a second and Ben Palmer again in the top three with a third.
In the Silver Fleet races 1, 2 and 3 were won respectively by Shona Ross, Carl Mitchell and Federico Angelini.
Thursday 20th August - The penultimate day, and another early start with the Topper fleet launching in a light but freshening northerly breeze. During the first race (Race 4) the wind built to a good force 4 with strong gusts on top, making the conditions challenging for both fleets.
In the Gold Fleet the race was won by Andrew Brown with the overnight leader Mike Wood in second place and Phil McCoy third. The silver fleet race was won by Thomas Tindall.
With the weather deteriorating the fleets returned to shore to shelter from an approaching thunderstorm. After the storm had cleared the fleets launched again and were making their way to the racing area when a further thunderstorm rolled over the mountain. The fleets were promptly sent back in. After waiting to see whether the weather would clear the race officer finally decided to postpone racing for the rest of the day. Leaving two races to complete the series on the final day.
Friday 31st August - Final day and two races to decide the World Championship. At 7am the wind was very strong with an average speed of 30 knots. Racing was initially postponed. By mid morning the average speed had dropped to 20 knots. Two races were completed. During the first race the breeze continued to drop. The wind then swung to a southerly breeze for the first time in the week, enabling the second race to be completed.
In the Gold Fleet the first race was one by Freddie Connor with Phil McCoy second and Andrew Brown extending his lead in third. The second race (Race 6, the final of the series); Freddie Connor took a second win followed by Felicity Foulds and Andrew Brown in third. However, Mike Wood successfully protested Andrew Brown promoting Max Richardson to third.
The disqualification of Andrew Brown in the final race meant that the Gul Topper World Champion for 2007 is Mike Wood, with Andrew Brown second and Freddie Connor third. First Adult Male was Max Richardson (4th), First Lady was Lynn Billowes (14th) with John Bell (36th) First Senior Male and Susan Brown (76th) First Senior Lady.
In the Silver Fleet the first and second races were won by Christopher Wheeler and James Dugdale respectively. The overall standings were 1st James Dugdale, 2nd Shona Ross and 3rd Isabel Quicke.
The generous sponsor’s prizes were awarded by Mike Pickering of Gul. In his closing speech, George Clark the President of the International Topper Class Association thanked all at Fraglia Vela Malcesine, the Judges and sponsor Gul for their contributions and support in making a great success of the World Championship. He went on to announce that the 2008 World Championship is to be held in Ireland.
Results
HELP WANTED FOR THE SLIP AT GARDA
In order to launch the competitors in an organised and efficient manner we are looking for volunteers on the slipway to marshal boats and recover trollies. Some will have to get wet, up to armpit level, others only up to the ankles!!!! We need approximately 10 people each day, any volunteers please contact Chris Johnson, by email Chris.Johnson005@btinternet.com , Mobile +44 (0)7979 703084 or see me on the slip at Garda.
TOPPER WORLDS 2007
The Sailing Instructions for the 2007 Gul Topper World Championship are avialable on the Racing page.
YOUR IDEAS PLEASE
Dear Sailor and Supporter,
In accordance with our constitution The International Committee of the Association will meet during the World Championships in Malcesine, each ITCA member nation being represented on the committee. Two subjects which will be discussed, about which I would be grateful for your good ideas are: "How can we continue to increase the number of National Topper Class Associations?" and "What venues should we plan to try and use for our Annual World Championships over the next five years?"
If you have any good ideas about these two important subjects please contact your National Association and ask the international representative to consider putting forward your ideas. I look forward to meeting those of you who are able to take part in or attend this years World Championships in Garda at the end of August.
Best Wishes
George Clark
President of ITCA
HARMFUL AND PROHIBITIVE ADDITIVES IN SUPPLEMENTS AND MEDICINES
As sport throughout the world becomes more high profile and professional, the temptations to use various substances to increase performance increase. This is true in sailing as in many other sports. As such ISAF are starting to increase the profile of testing at international events, this may even be undertaken at international junior events. This is not something to be worried about, as this all about ensuring that every nation follows what I am sure you will agree is our desire to provide fair sailing. If you take any food supplement or medication it would be sensible to check with your national sports governing body. By way of example the following guidance has been provided to sailors in the UK - Guidance Note.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Please note the new address for ITCA as above.
2007 GUL TOPPER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
We are pleased to announce that this years Topper World Championship will be sponsored by Gul. Well known for its quality wetsuit and watersport clothing; we look forward to working with Gul to build on the success of last years Worlds to be hosted by Vaglia Vela Malcesine at Lake Garda in August.
To help with your planning we are pleased to release the Notice of Race and Entry Form, these can be found in the Racing section.
NOTE TO ALL NATIONAL TOPPER CLASS ASSOCIATIONS
Dear Secretaries/Chairman,
Will you please inform your members that championship numbers will be required for the 2007 Worlds in Italy. Anyone who wishes to retain their 2006 number should contact me before the end of January after that date I will be allocating numbers when applications are received. This does not apply to GBR members who should apply to Susan Wellard the GBR Secretary.
Regards
Helen Evans
GERMAN TOPPER CLASS ASSOCIATION – REGATTA REPORT
Fäßlas Regatta 2006
As the final regatta of the German 2006 season it is always looked forward to not only because the northern and southern German Topper fleets traditionally meet up for this final attempt to influence the national rankings, but also because of the reputation of exceptional hospitality provided by the host Yacht Club Ansbach-Gunzenhausen (YCAG). Full Report.........
From left to right: André Buchert (Race Officer), Steffen Kuch, Willy Wendler, Harald Roth, Tony Davies and Jochen Meyer (YCAG Chairman)
2007 TOPPER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP The 2007 Topper World Championship will be held at Lake Garda, Italy from Saturday 25th to Friday 31st August. We shall be retuning to Vaglia Vela Malcesine who were our host for the successful 2006 Worlds. Returning to Malcesine is a great opportunity for the Topper Class to build on this year’s success. Lake Garda is without doubt one of the great sailing locations of the World and we are grateful to Vaglia Vela Malcesine for giving us the opportunity of returning there for a second year.
GUIDANCE ON REDRESS AT THE TOPPER WORLDS
The concept of redress is quite simple. Redress is firstly to do with the possibility that a boat’s score has been made worse through no fault of her own. But it can only be awarded under certain conditions. And the only one which had any relevance at the hearing was “an improper action or omission of the race committee”
At Malcesine the sailors were claiming that the race was unfair. Well if you were stuck in the bunch at the leeward mark on the last race it certainly might have felt unfair. On the water, where I was, 15 yards away from the problem in a RIB it definitely was a nightmare.
However those sailors who had the skill, luck or foresight to stay clear of the bunch though might have felt pretty upset if, having finished within the allotted time limit the race were to be abandoned. To abandon the race would have certainly been unfair to those who got round the mark ahead of the bunch and then finished.
The question that the Jury had to answer though was whether the race committee had committed “an improper action or omission”.
Nothing that the race committee did was “improper”. On the contrary the ISAF guidelines recommend that if it is clear that the race is likely to finish within the time limit it should be allowed to. And the first boats in each fleet finished within 15 minutes of the time limit. The race committee are actually in a difficult, no win, situation – so they have to do what they feel is best in the context of the sailing instructions. And the sailing instructions gave them a 90 minute time limit.
Nothing that the race committee did could have been construed as an omission either. The race committee has the option to abandon the race if they feel it unfair. But it is not an omission to choose not to abandon. And it would have been unfair to those who did have the skill and foresight to get round in front of the pack to have abandoned.
So it was tough for those who were caught up in the problems – but not a situation in which sailors could ever have a chance, in reality, of winning a redress claim.
From my side I do hope that, despite the refusal of redress, the sailors involved do understand the way that a jury has to approach the situation. Sadly with the prize giving being held up due to the case I didn’t have time to have an informal chat with all concerned afterwards.
I do hope though that this helps.
With kind regards – and best wishes for the rest of the season,
David Brunskill
2006 TOPPER WORLDS
 Andrew Brown was crowned the 2006 Topper World Championship on Friday 21st July following a very close run Championship at Lake Garda. Bleddyn Môn, who had led the Championship right up to the last race, was second and was followed by Michael Wood in third. The Silver fleet was won by Kian Sterritt. The outcome of the championship all hinged on the final race that after a week of champagne sailing conditions produced a twist in the tail. The wind failed at the second to last mark to produced a massive raft of Toppers. For some this was an opportunity to gain places whilst others lost out.
The Worlds were a great success with competitors and supports enjoying a well organised Championship in a beautiful location that was a great credit to all those involved, in particular our hosts at Fraglia Vela Malcesine and sponsor Ronstan. George Clark in his prizegiving speech advised that preliminary discussions had been held with the club to return to Garda in 2007. The applause that this received was a real measure of the success of 2006.
Full results for the Gold and Silver Fleets available on the Racing page.
 Sponsor of the 2006 Topper World Championship
LAUNCH OF THE NEW ITCA WEB SITE
I am taking this opportunity to introduce myself to you. My name is George Clark and I have recently been elected to the post of Acting Chairman of the International Topper Class Association (ITCA). I live in Bristol and my association with the Topper is mainly as a supporting parent and as the Former Chairman of the Royal Yachting Association.
I have no doubt that this superb, versatile, practically indestructible and relatively inexpensive sailing dinghy should be much more available on a global basis. I aim to do what I can to increase the number of National Topper Class Associations and to this end I believe that help via Topper International agents and dealers is the way to go.
Actions in hand are: This relaunch of The World Topper Web site and a new World Class Logo for which I thank Roger Proctor and his design Company. I intend using the World Championships at Garda this July to generate an enthusiasm amongst ITCA to spread the word to other nations. The following guidance notes will be of help to those looking to form a new National Class Association; Forming a National Class Association.
I very much hope that in the next 6 months or so I will get the opportunity to meet many international Topper sailors and supporters. Should you have any ideas or advice please let me know.
Best Wishes
George Clark
The Proctor's grant is awarded annually to support the development of new National Class Associations  | |
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