The countback to determine the World champion Topper 5.3 sailor dashed the dreams of Bobby Driscoll of Ballyholme and Royal North Yacht Clubs on Belfast Lough when he lost out on the tie break of 22 points to Joe Rowe of Draycote Water SC at the Topper Worlds at Riva del Garda today (29th July).
Bobby had excelled in the qualifiers by scoring six bullets.
These first places didn’t of course count towards the final score and Joe’s single first place in the final series gave him the advantage in the 73-strong Gold fleet which had included twelve sailors from the North. And among those were Bobby's brother Tom and Callum’s brother Rory.
A start at the Topper Worlds in Italy
The next scoring highest competitor was Liam Duggan of Royal Cork in the Youth section who finished 6th overall and the highest place girl was Lily Browning of Island Barn Sailing Club.
Bobby Driscoll had excelled in the qualifiers by scoring six bullets at the Topper Worlds
Another BYC sailor, Daniel Palmer had finished 3rd in the qualifiers but struggled in the much lighter winds of the final two days finishing 12th despite going into the Final series in 3rd. Cormac Byrne (BYC, Strangford SC, Quoile YC) finished 20th and Luke Simpson from County Antrim YC at Whitehead on Belfast Lough followed in a creditable 22nd slot. Emily McAfee’s 24th and 4th Girl was a commendable result too.
But Callum Pollard of County Antrim YC on the north shore of Belfast Lough kept his dreams alive in the Northern contingent topping the 4.2 fleet and scoring only 17 points over 11 races (2 discards). Next of the Irish contingent was Ronan Quinlan of Waterford Harbour SC at 5th.
Callum Pollard of County Antrim YC on the podium on Lake Garda
There was considerable enthusiasm amongst the young Topper sailors who ‘volunteered’ their coaches and parents for the breezy evening 'Master's Championship' race, held just of the harbour wall. Forth five boats took to the water in the testing 18-knot breeze – ideal conditions for the ‘larger’ Topper helm, although many keen light-weight Mums also took up the challenge. It was the perfect way to round off the day and a chance for all the patient parents that had spent the week waiting ashore to join in the fun.
Results are downloadable below
