RYA Northern Ireland has officially named its performance squads for the ILCA and Topper classes ahead of the 2023/24 season.

According to RYANI, selection for both squads was based on the performance throughout the year across various events, both international and local — including the RYANI Youth Championships, which took place in September at Ballyholme Yacht Club.

RYANI performance manager Andrew Baker said: “The squads are great way to support committed sailors in their progression and it’s a critical step towards helping them at national level competition.”

For more details, including the full list of both performance squads, see the RYA website HERE.

Topper dinghy sailing is going strong this winter at Royal Cork Yacht Club, four months after the Munster Club successfully staged the massive 250-boat Topper World Championships in Crosshaven.

On Sunday, both Topper and ILCA youth sailors hit the water for winter training and the first race of the club's winter dinghy frostbite league at the same time as the club's November/December White Sail keelboat League got underway in Cork Harbour.

The ILCA 7 fleet featured some dramatic racing between the ILCA 7s and a single RS Aero 7 sailed by Emmet O’Sullivan from MBSC, who swapped the outright lead several times in each race. Jonathan O’Shaughnessy leads by a point from Micheal O’Suilleabhain, in

In the Topper fleet, Ellen MacDonagh and Kate Deane traded first places, but MacDonagh leads after day one.

See Bob Bateman's photo gallery of Sunday's training below

The Royal St George Yacht Club has announced their 2023/2024 winter training for Topper dinghies.

"The club is keen to build a fleet of the exciting and durable dinghy in anticipation of even greater demand for single-handed sailing", former Commodore Richard O'Connor told Afloat.

The coaching schedule has been timed to complement a busy winter dinghy offering at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, and participants of the Royal St George’s schedule will be able to join up with other winter squads on occasion.

Toby Hudson Fowler, who has extensive coaching experience, having coached numerous National and Regional champions in multiple fleets, will lead the Topper training

The coaching is open to participants from other clubs and will be run very similarly to the Topper fleet’s Traveller Events, keeping costs down as much as possible. Coaching will commence this Sunday, October 22nd.

Bookings can be made here

A famous Laser sailor in the Seventies, Ed Baird, is reputed to have said that spending time on the water was what counted. The 258 young sailors competing in the Royal Cork Yacht Club hosted Topper World Championships last week got plenty of that with up to 15 races over the week and undoubtedly have felt the benefit. The calibre of the fleets was outstanding, with intense competition in very taxing variable conditions.

The best performances from the Northern Ireland contingent came from Luke Simpson from County Antrim YC on the north shore of Belfast Lough and Tom Driscoll on the opposite side of the Lough at Royal North and Ballyholme.

Luke finished sixth overall in the enormous 98-strong Gold fleet, and Tom followed in seventh. Ballyholme's Cormac Byrne was also in the top quarter, sails at Strangford SC at 13th, and Emily McAfee (Ballyholme) at 23rd. Another BYC competitor, Katie Brow, finished in the top half at 47th, and at 48th was Calum Pollard, a club mate of Luke Simpson at County Antrim YC. Calum was racing a 5.3 for the first time after winning 2022 4.2 National Championship and topping that year with the World Championship win at Lake Garda.

Luke Simpson (left) with Calum Pollard of County Antrim YC Photo: Bob Bateman

Luke Simpson reflected on his performance. "It was a great event. Good organisation, a great venue, and plenty of wind with very tricky conditions kept everyone on their toes. Overall, I am very happy with my performance coming second in the qualifying series and finishing 6th overall in the Gold fleet.

Tom Driscoll Seventh overall at the Topper World Championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club in Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

I'm looking forward to competing in the British Nationals at Plas Heli next week and hope to improve on my 4th place from last year".

One of the sailors who learned from his time on the water was 13-year-old Calum Pollard, one of the youngest in the Gold Fleet. "As this is my first year in 5.3, my goal was to get into the Gold Fleet, and I was delighted to achieve my goal and race in the Gold Fleet. The size of the fleet was immense, and I had never been on such a big start line, but the number of boats made it feel small as there was no space. I was pleased to get a 13th on the final day and other top 20 results during the week. The conditions were a mixed bag, and I was pleased to be able to handle the stronger breeze. It was a great learning experience, and I had a fantastic time with all my friends and meeting new people".

A long startline at the Topper World Championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club in Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

Joseph Robinson (BYC) was third in the Silver fleet, counting three seconds and a third, and Rose Kelly of East Down YC on Strangford Lough was 25th in the 60-strong fleet, with Sophie Cairns (BYC) at 40th. Ronan Hodge of Strangford SC counted an excellent 3rd to finish 23rd in the Bronze division.

That adage about time on the water certainly holds for 14-year-old Rose Kelly. She began her sailing in mid-week club racing at East Down Yacht Club and said, "Without its continuous support and endless encouragement, I would never have been able to progress my journey so far".

Rose Kelly from East Down YC 25th in Silver fleet Photo: courtesy Kelly family

Then Rose participated in the Around the Lough Youth Series, where she met other Topper sailors from Killyleagh and Strangford, increasing her competition experience. After her leap into the RYANI Squad, her interest in racing grew. After much more work, Rose was ready to compete in the Worlds. "I had never seen so many boats of the one class", which she emphasises provided her with a magnitude of learning and, "so with the final two days being medium winds, I went home feeling well stretched and tired".

Northern sailors also achieved good results in the 60-strong 4.2 fleet. From Lough Erne YC in Co. Fermanagh, Adam Green was 8th, counting a second and 12th as his best scores. Polly Robinson and James Eadie from Ballyholme were 19th and 29th, respectively, James scoring a top place of second.

On then to the 2024 Worlds in Mar Menor in Murcia, Spain.

There was a home success in a breezy conclusion to the 2023 Topper World Championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club on Friday afternoon, when Ireland took gold and silver in the smaller 4.2 rig division, while the main rig title went to Great Britain.

Friday's three back-to-back races confirmed Britain's Alex Jones of Parkstone Yacht Club as the 2023 Topper 5.3 World Champion at Royal Cork Yacht Club.

Jones had established a winning point cushion of 12 points over six races (with two race wins) and extended this on the final day to ten points with a last-race victory in Cork Harbour.

2023 Topper 5.3 World Champion Alex Jones of Parkstone Yacht Club (centre) with Ruoque Su of China second (left) and Rory Clow third. Photo: Bob Bateman

Jones's teammate Rory Clow of Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club, who had moved up to second overall going into Friday's races, was overtaken by Ruoque Su of China for the silver medal. Clow took bronze after nine races sailed in the 98-boat fleet.

The best of the Irish in the 5.3 rig was consistent Luke Simpson of County Antrim Yacht Club, who finished sixth.

Ireland's Whyte is Topper 4.2 World Champion

In the smaller 4.2 rig fleet, Fifteen-year-old Rory Whyte from Waterford Harbour and Royal Cork Yacht Club recovered from an OCS in race one in a three-race final series to win the 4.2 World Championship Trophy. Second, was his clubmate Andrew O'Neill with Che Liu of China in Bronze.

Fifteen-year-old Rory Whyte from Waterford Harbour and Royal Cork Yacht Club is presented with the 4.2 World Championship Trophy by Cork County Mayor Frank O'Flynn. Second, was his clubmate Andrew O'Neill (left) with Che Liu of China in Bronze Photo: Bob Bateman

Topper World Championships 5.3 Gold Fleet Racing (Friday) and Prizegiving at Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman

4.2 results below and 5.3 results here

Friday's three back-to-back races will decide the 2023 Topper 5.3 World Champion at Royal Cork Yacht Club. 

Although Great Britain's Alex Jones has established a winning point cushion of 12-points over six races (with two race wins), it is still all to play for going into the final day in Cork Harbour.

Thursday's penultimate day of the Topper World Championships was a long day on the water in Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

Jones's teammate Rory Clow of Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club has moved up to second on 25 points, with China's Shiyin Niu from the Beijing Sailing Centre now third on 33 points. 

Just two points off the podium is the best of the Irish squad Luke Simpson of County Antrim Yacht Club.

Day Four 2023 Topper World Championships Photo Gallery By Bob Bateman

See results below

Great Britain's Alex Jones leads the International Topper World Championships after the first day of gold fleet racing in the 5.3 division. China's Shiyin Niu is lying second, with Britain's Rory Clow third in the Cork Harbour competition.

The best of the Irish is County Antrim Yacht Club's Luke Simpson in fourth place.

Local hopes were dented when Royal Cork's Craig O'Neill, who held a commanding lead in the qualification stage of the competition, counted a 'Did Not Compete' (DNC) in the first race of gold fleet racing and is currently lying in 48th place.

See gold fleet results after three races below.

Wednesday’s forecast was for grey, wet weather with NE winds up to 20 knots and proved pretty accurate. As a result of the forecast and the distant location of the 4.2 race course, the decision was taken to cancel the Topper 4.2 fleet for the day and race the first of the Topper 5.3 Finals series on the closer Curlane bank course.

The 5.3 fleet, are now split into the Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets for the finals series. The Gold fleet of 98 boats kicked off with a general recall as the strong tide pushed boats along and over the line.

The Topper 5.3 World Championships Gold fleet of 98 boats kicked off with a general recall in Cork Harbour as the strong tide pushed boats along and over the line Photo: Bob Bateman

PRO Con Murphy went straight to the Black Flag with the wind down to 9 knots as a rain shower deadened the breeze. After the start, 75% of the fleet tacked to the right in an effort to stay up-tide, whilst those going left found themselves pointing at mark 2 of the reaching leg and struggled to get back against the current to the windward mark.

Topper World Championships 5.3 Gold Fleet Racing (Wednesday) Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman

After the second loop of the trapezoid course, it was IRL 406, Riona McMorrow Moriarty, that led through the downwind gate, just ahead of GBR 114 Alex Jones and CHN 841 Shiyin Niu, making it a 1-3 for the girls, followed by a tight bunch of boats all finishing together, giving the spotters on the finish boat a tough time.

In the Silver and Bronze fleet start, MLT 800, Daniel Agius from Vikings SC rounded first, showing the benefit of all his warm weather training back home in Malta, but he was caught on the top reach by IRL 410, Luke Simpson, as the top three enjoyed a close battle for the remainder of the race, with Sam Roche, IRL 470 eventually taking the gun, ahead of Joseph Robinson IRL 737 and Daniel Agius with a very satisfying third.

The tides in Cork have proved a new challenge for sailors from China and Malta, who usually sail on waters that don’t move beneath them!

After five qualification races sailed at the Topper World Championships, Royal Cork Yacht Club's Craig O'Neill (17) continues to lead the 5.3 fleet after day two. 

And in a further show of strength from the Ireland squad in the 190-boat fleet, County Antrim Yacht Club's Luke Simpson lies second, and Sligo Yacht Club's Leo O'Doherty is third. 

China has taken the lead in the smaller 4.2 division, with Che Liu from Beijing Sailing Centre leading from Rory Whyte. Royal Cork's Andrew O'Neill lies third.

Tuesday dawned with bright skies and a gentle breeze in Cork Harbour building from the southwest, the completely opposite direction from the previous day.

After the morning briefing and traditional spot-prize giving, the 4.2 fleet launched first and were all towed out to their more distant race course beyond Spike Island.

With the wind in the opposite direction, the tide was now under the fleet on the startline, resulting in a general recall for the Topper 4.2 first start.

Topper World Championships 4.2, Day Two Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman

After the re-start for the green flight, local sailor Rian O Neill from RCYC rounded first, closely followed by Alegra Schwoerer (SUI) and Rui Chang (CHN), underlining the international makeup of the fleet. Alegra and her family live aboard their yacht, the TOP to TOP climate expedition ship, based in the Norwegian Arctic for the last two years. Four of the family of six are racing in the Topper Worlds after sailing their floating home down from the Lofoten Islands in an effort to get to Crosshaven.

In the Topper 4.2 race 5 Orange flight, IRL 479, Andrew O’Neill was first round the windward mark, followed closely by fellow Royal Cork clubmate Rory Whyte (IRL 706) and CHN 831 Che Liu. On the second upwind, O’Neill held his lead in the building breeze as Che Liu muscled passed Rory Whyte to take the runner-up spot on the line.

Topper World Championships 5.3, Day Two Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman

Meanwhile, over on the 5.3 course, race 5 for the white and blue flights started with a black flag in a 6 knots southerly breeze. On the first leg, the Irish team led with IRL 493 Leo O’Doherty and IRL 455 Isha Duggan holding the first two places followed by CHN 864 Wenwei Fu.

 5.3 results below and 4.2 results here

On Wednesday, the Topper 5.3 sailors begin their Finals series, with the fleet split into Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets, so there is all to play for.

After three qualification races sailed at the Topper World Championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club, the top three slots in the 5.3 fleets are all filled by Irish sailors, with Craig O'Neill from the host club having the best of the day.

Caoimhe Corkery from Kinsale YC and Royal Cork YC holds second, and Conor Kelly lies third overall.

Near-perfect conditions greeted the fleets for the first day of racing in Cork Harbour. After the heavy showers of Sunday evening, the sun made a welcome return, accompanied by a northerly westerly breeze that varied from 5 – 12 knots throughout the day.

250 participants from the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, Malta, the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Switzerland and Brazil are racing in the Topper world Championships at Royal Cork, with entrants aged between eight years old to their teens Photo: Bob Bateman

Race 1 for the Topper 5.3 fleet of 198 boats, split by flights into two starts, got away smoothly in 9-12 knots, which then dropped towards the windward mark for the yellow and blue flight race.

First to round coming out of the right-hand side of the beat was Cameron McDaid (GBR, Largs SC), with a 30m lead ahead of the bunch, from which Gemma Brady (IRL, National YC & LDYC) reached over the top of the group on the leg to Mark 2, and into second place. Cameron’s lead was worn down on the second upwind of the trapezoid course as Sam Brown (GBR, Burghfield SC) climbed to second, but Gemma Brady held on well to take 4th.

In the red/white flight race, Caoimhe Corkery (IRL, Royal Cork YC) used her local knowledge of the harbour to her advantage to take the win, as the tide built against the sailors upwind, making it slow going as the wind dropped at the windward mark to 5 knots.

In Race 2, the wind was back to 12 knots, Will Brown, (GBR, Island Barn SC) rounded first, ahead of IRL Conor Kelly and Ian Ma, (HKG), finishing in that order.

After three races, the top three slots in the 5.3 fleets are all filled by Irish sailors, with Craig O'Neill from the host club having the best of the day, with a very consistent 3,1,2 scoreline, ahead of Caoimhe Corkery on 19 points after she slipped to 17th in the third race, tied on points with Connor Kelly in 3rd.

Rory Whyte from Ballyholme nailed the day with an impressive 2,1,1, score in the 60-boat 4.2 division Photo: Bob Bateman

Topper World Championships Day One Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman

Over on the Topper 4.2 course, Rory Whyte, (IRL) nailed the day with an impressive 2,1,1, score, leading the 60-boat fleet from Shirley Ma, (CHN, Vanhang Sailing) and Victor Montgomery (GBR)

Topper 5.3 results are below and 4.2 are here

A Sunday afternoon downpour might have delayed it, but the 2023 Topper Dinghy World Championships Opening Ceremony and Competitors Parade was a colourful sight (despite no pipe band rain due to the rain) as it passed through Crosshaven village in Cork Harbour.

Royal Cork Yacht Club hosts 250 participants from the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, Malta, the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Switzerland and Brazil for this year's competition this week, with entrants aged eight years to their teens.

Taking place at 6 pm on Sunday, the competitors – at the biggest ever championships – meandered their way with national flags along the road from Royal Cork Yacht Club to Crosshaven House, where the Opening Ceremony was held.

Competitors were officially welcomed for five full days of racing from Monday morning, with the prize-giving ceremony taking place this Friday evening, July 28th.

Speaking at the opening ceremony were Royal Cork Yacht Club Admiral Kieran O'Connell, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney and Cork County Councillor Audrey Buckley, along with Topper International representatives.

Royal Cork Hosted Topper Worlds Opening Ceremony Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman