Topper graduates shine at Tokyo 2020

Huge congratulations to Topper graduates Giles Scott and Dylan Fletcher for winning Olympic Gold medals!

Giles had the confidence and composure to re-start after the individual recall flag at the start, but as it turned out it was only the Argentina athlete over the line, but Giles wasn't taking any chances. Scott then had to battle his way back to claim the necessary points to maintain his grip on the gold medal in the tricky, sub 10 knots, lumpy conditions.

His second gold medal was not secured until the very last mark rounding, in a nervy, tight finish that saw Giles move from 6th to 4th to secure the win by three points, whilst all the time the jury boat was breathing down his neck to check there was no illegal pump to gain the vital overlap. One cool customer!

Watch at Giles last mark rounding here. 

Similarly, Dylan Fletcher and Stu Blithell in the 49er medal race had to keep their cool to keep their bow just a meter ahead of the German crew on the finish line to maintain their lead ahead of the previously all conquering New Zealand pair of Burling & Tuke.

See their close finish here.

There were more International Topper graduates in Enoshima this week too. Elliot Hanson, Topper World Champion in 2008 finished 12th in the Laser event after having to sadly retire in the last race with two yellow flags. Chris Grube crewing in the 470 finished just outside the medals in 5th after leading early in the series. Alison Young and Annalise Murphy were 10th and 18th in the Laser Radial event and even the expert BBC race commentator Niall Myant raced Toppers!

Where will your Topper sailing take you!?