#topper – The two main prizes in last weekend's Topper Traveller went to Geoff Power from Waterford and Erin McIlwaine from Newcastle. However there were good performances by local sailors with Charlie O'Neill taking 8th in the full rig fleet as well as best Under 12. In the 4.2 fleet Dan McGaughey and Mathew Bell (Donaghadee) were 4th and 6th, and from Ballyholme in the 4.2 fleet, Oliver Haig was 5th, Katie Shivers came 7th and Adam Lockhart and Hanna Dadley-Young were 8th and 9th.
Saturday 16th May 2015 saw the start of the two day Irish Topper Traveller at Ballyholme Yacht Club (BYC) in Bangor with competitors travelling from all over Ireland to compete.
As with the Traveller the first day, Saturday, was spent with training under the control of the ITCA (IRL), where our young sailors were grouped and afforded an experienced instructor for professional development.
When registration had opened for the training and racing some days earlier, the indication was clear that there was a significant interest from the class in Ireland to make the journey to Ballyholme, to the point that the ITCA with the help of BYC had to source additional instructors to meet the demand.
As the weekend approached the long range weather forecast, with what appears to be the norm of late, was for high winds, and concerns were voiced as to whether the Topper Traveller would indeed be stranded on the shore.
The interest previously expressed came to fruition with a good number of sailors arriving for their training. The fleet took to the water around mid morning and the more experienced sailors from the Topper squad headed out of Ballyholme Bay with the less experienced staying closer to shore. However as the predicted high winds and squalls arrived a decision was made for the less experienced sailors to return to shore followed by the more experienced. The lack of on-water activity did not in any way dampen the enthusiasm and spirits of the young sailors as was soon to be demonstrated on Sunday.
With the arrival of Race day Sunday, BYC was a hive of activity as everyone prepared for some challenging racing conditions. At about 1030 hrs Mr Robin Gray our Race Officer with his team headed out to the race arena in Belfast Lough where the committee boat anchored, and wind readings recorded. With a strong wind out of the west readings over the next 90 minutes indicated a base line of around 22 knots with gusts of 27 knots, this coupled with a rising sea state resulted in a decision to move the course further inshore and the committee boat set up station between Ballymacormick Point and Lukes Point. The mark teams were soon put to work as the fleet was released from the North and South slips at BYC and light work was made of getting to the race arena. Some 48 entrants had registered in the full rig and 14 entrants in the 4.2 category.
With the race arena in a less exposed area, racing was soon under way. The race team recorded baseline wind conditions in the early 20s as the full rig fleet started followed five minutes later by the 4.2 fleet. The first leg kept the Rescue Team gainfully employed as the fleet got to grips with conditions at the mouth of the bay. However as they progressed into the bay the fleet travelled swiftly round the course.
Upon crossing the finish line of Race 1, one young sailor from Royal Cork Yacht Club was heard to express his delight at the conditions of sailing to a friend.
Race 2 saw similar conditions however with a reduced fleet and again with the knowledge gleaned from the earlier race the committee boat had the pleasure of observing some fine racing in both fleet categories.
Race 3 saw a significant reduction in wind speed and sea state with the race team recording wind speeds in the mid teens. However we did see the odd gust push through keeping the sailors mind focused.
Mr Geoff Power demonstrated some magnificent sailing and was rewarded with a win in all three races in the Topper full rig.
Mid afternoon saw the end of racing and all returned safe and well to BYC.
Results
Full Rig 1st Geoff Power Waterford Harbour Yacht Club
2nd Caoimhe Foster Royal Cork YC
3rd Juliette Kennedy Strangford Lough YC /more
4.2 Fleet 1st Erin McIlwaine - Newcastle Yacht Club / Carlingford Lough Yacht Club
2nd David Jones - Royal Cork Yacht Club
3rd Ellen Barbour - County Antrim Yacht Club
First Lady - Caoimhe Foster - Royal Cork YC
Under 17 1st Amy Carroll - Kinsale Yacht Club
2nd Cian Jones - Royal Cork Yacht Club
3rd Ellen McCarlie - County Antrim Yacht Club
Under 14 1st Paddy Cunnane - Dingle Sailing Club
2nd Juliet Nyhan - Royal Cork Yacht Club
3rd Fouad Ghareeb - Lough Earn Yacht Club
Under 12 1st Charles O'Neill - Ballyholme Yacht Club
2nd Rory Williamson - East Antrim Boat Club / County Antrim Yacht Club
Aidan Pounder, Rear Commodore Sailing thanked all those volunteers who made this event the success that it was To name a few - Mr Simon McIlwaine and his team from the ICTA (IRL), Robin Gray and his race team, Mr Martin Watson for Committee Boat, Mr Paul Wyness for results, Mrs Jo Rennie and Mrs Claire Shivers for the Club House volunteers and meals, Mr Phil Martin and Mr Andrew Dadley for help in organising and Mr Chris Penney and the coaching team, Mr Richard Honeyford, RYANI and all the competitors and volunteers. A particular thanks goes to Jumpin Java (Mr & Mrs Frank Shivers) for their kind sponsorship for the meals.
