The unique blend of simplicity and low cost of the Topper combined with it's exciting performance has proved to be a perfect mix for developing the talents of sailors, arming them with the necessary all-round skill sets to move successfully into any of the Olympic dinghy classes.
The RYA, Irish Sailing Association and the Chinese Yachting Association all use the Topper as a 'Junior Pathway Class'enabling young athletes to develop their racing talents into Olympic Class sailing. As a result Topper sailors have gone on to win Olympic medals in the Laser, Laser Radial, Finn, Women’s 470, Men's 470, 49er, Nacra 17 and Star class plus Paralympic medals in the 2.4m. Some have gone on to Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup campaigns too.
The pedigree is clear and is growing around the world as China has now invested heavily in the Topper Class, providing training and high-level coaching to over 200 youth sailors, as well as supporting them to compete at major international events.
Annalise Murphy, Silver medalist, Laser Radial, Rio 2016 & 4th London 2012
The International Topper Class has a long history of success in developing Olympic sailors of both genders. Topper sailors Giles Scott, Elliot Hanson (pictured above), Ian Walker, Pippa Wilson, Alain Sign, Annie Lush, Nicola Groves, Dylan Fletcher, Alison Young, and Chris Grube (all GBR) together with Finn Lynch, Annalise Murphy and Ryan Seaton of Ireland (pictured right), have all been selected for the Olympic Games in recent years. Almost 50% of the UK and Irish teams at the Toyko 2020 Olympics were made up by former Topper sailors - will you be next!?
The universality of the boat, together with the natural gender equality the design affords, provides a great breeding ground for youth sailing talent; creating tough, resourceful, confident and self-sufficient sailors who learn quickly amongst the strong international competition the class delivers.