The Topper Worlds 2024 will take place on the Mar Menor, in Murcia, Spain.
Hosted by the Federacion De Vela Region De Murcia, (FVRM) at the CAR Region De Murcia in Los Alcazares. The dates will be July 20 - 26th, 2024. Online entry is now open here.
The venue address is:
Centro de Alto Rendimiento Región de Murcia, S.A.U. Avda. Mariano Ballester, 230710 Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain.
Email: carmurcia@carmurcia.es
The Mar Menor is an inland sea, only separated from the Mediterranean by a very narrow sand spit on its eastern border, with a narrow opening out to the sea. The relatively shallow waters can develop a short chop when the regular afternoon sea breeze kicks in, creating great conditions not unlike Medemblik, with most years a 60% chance of 12-17 knots, as shown in the data below.
The venue boasts tremendous facilities, including a large sports hall, tennis courts, a 300 room on-site accommodation block as well as preferential access to hotels a short walk along the seafront.
View the on-site accommodation block price list here. (Now In English here)
To book a room in the on-site accomodation block use the booking form available here. and then email it directly to the CAR Region De Murcia. Don't forget to say you are booking accommodation for the Topper Worlds to access the event discount.
Two airports serve the region, the local Región de Murcia International Airport and Alicante airport. Driving from the UK and Ireland is made easy via the Brittany Ferry routes to Santander and Bilbao, which is then just a 6-8 hour drive to the venue.
RB Sport & Travel is a specialist sports travel agency that offers discounted ferry travel for competitors, run by Richard Buttner, himself an experienced international sailor, who can advise on the best routes and options for either the minimum of driving or less expensive crossings followed by a drive through France over a couple of days.
There are lots of accommodation options within walking distance, as well as the on-site accommodation there are nearby hotels with preferential rates plus hree camping and motorhome parking sites. All the accommodations listed on this page are offering a Topper Worlds discount, so don't forget to mention the event when booking.
Download the recommended hotels and apartments list here.
The video clip below of the 2023 Spanish Optimist Championships hosted by the CAR Center in 2023 shows a little of the facilities and the easy launch beach.
If you are looking for apartments for a group of families in a complex with pools and recreation facilities, such as golf courses and spas, then check out these recommended resorts, all of which are offering a discount for the Topper Worlds:
Senator Mar Menor Golf & Spar Resort
Santa Rosalia Lake & Life Resort
There is a dedicated motor home campsite Camping Car Area Narejos, a campsite for motorhomes located on the outskirts of Los Alcázares. The town centre is a couple of kilometres away, and the beach is just a 10-minute walk away. In addition to the on-site restaurant, you will find numerous restaurants within a few minutes' walk plus shops, cafes and bars.
The pitches have electrical outlets and Wi-Fi access and are close to a service area with waste disposal points and drinking water. Bike hire is available and the use of an outdoor gym. In addition, the campsite has a laundry with washing machines and dryers, as well as a toilet and shower block with hot water.
Two other campsites that are offering the Topper 2024 discount, but are slightly further from the venue are Camping Mar Menor and Eco Area.
To book using the Topper Worlds discount, use the reservation code: Topper 2024
Spectator boats and tours.
The FVRM hosts are arranging for two spectator boats, each with a 14-person capacity to be available each day to watch the racing, so bring your PDF and sunscreen if you would like to follow the action close up on the water. Daily bookings will be available.
For parents and siblings wishing to join in the fun, a full activities and day trips programme has been drawn up, with opportunities to visit the nearby Roman city of Cartagena, a tour of the San Pedro salt lakes to see the stunning wildlife and Flamingoes, a round of golf at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, scuba diving in Cabo de Palos, boat trips as well as spectator boats to watch the racing. Details of the trips and activities are available here.
Prices will depend on the demand so please register your interest here.
The Topper Worlds Loco Parenthesis safety policy will still apply for parents or guardians leaving the venue for trips away to visit these local attractions, so please ensure your sailor will be looked after by another responsible adult for the day, (the maximum number of sailors one adult can act in Loco Parenthesis is 8)
The FVRM has the support of many regional sponsors and in recent years has hosted several major Optimist championships, as well as the Wasp Europeans in 2022, The ILCA Copa de Espania 2022 and the Finn World Masters in 2021.
For parents and siblings wishing to join in the fun, there is an adjacent watersports centre where dinghies, windsurfers and paddle boards can be hired. Event Manager Maria´ Soto Ros visited the recent Topper Technology International Topper Worlds in Cork and is keen to make the 2024 edition just as successful and as well-organised an event as we all enjoyed in Crosshaven.
Transporting your boat to the to the Mar Menor.
The most economic and sustainable way to transport your Topper to the Worlds may be to join together with other competitors from your club or region and either rent a multi-stack trailer or lorry. Alternatively use a container or a professional boat transport company such as Sailboat Deliveries to get you boat driven to the venue whilst you fly. Having your boat delivered direct whilst you fly at a later date can also help those with late school break-up dates.
There are two new trailers available for private rent that could carry 12-15 Toppers, contact the Secretary for details.
Coach Boat Charter.
There will be plenty of coach boats to rent from the CAR Region De Murcia at the Mar Menor, three sizes of engines are available 40kw TO 100kw priced at 150€, 200€ or 250€ per day. Bookings can now be taken, so don't hesitate to contact the Event Manager Maria Soto Ros to book your coach or support boat. All coaches and support boat drivers will need to register on the entry system here.
If you wish to hire a RIB you will need to bring a copy of your PB qualification certificate. Similarly, if bringing your own RIB you will need to provide a copy of your insurance documents and PB certificate.
race Boat Charter.
Topper Sailboats now have a number of brand new Topper 5.3's and 4.2's available for charter at the Mar Menor 2024 Worlds. This Platinum service is designed so that families can fly into the event, race a brand new, fully rigged race prepared boat and then continue their stay or fly back to the UK. The cost will be £1,799 per boat with an additional £200 refundable deposit. The boat will also need to be covered by your own racing insurance, or cover is available from Topper International for £150.
If you wish to charter a Topper for the championships, please contact Russ Dent at Topper Sailboats.
Alternatively, there are now 8 boats available to charter directly from Vanhang Sailing in China, who have space to bring additional boats in their container, These are recent, race-rigged, red-decked boats, with hull numbers in the range 48360 - 48525. The price is £1200 but does not include a sail or insurance, but your own boat insurance should be transferable if you have it. Contact Summer, Vanhang Sailing's coach for full details and to reserve a boat before 30th March, as the shipping has to be booked by then.
See you in Los Alcazares!
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