Big Winds Force Cancellation of First Day of Irish Topper Nationals

7th July 2023

Betty Armstrong

Gusts of 37 knots at Ballyholme Yacht Club meant no sailing on Friday 7 July for the Topper fleets

Ballyholme Yacht Club’s online Baycam had a very prominent red line on Friday (7 July) with the southerly offshore wind forecast to reach 37 knots in the gusts, putting paid to the first day of the 2023 Topper Nationals.

In a strong southerly, the conditions inside Ballyholme Bay on the north Co Down coast in Northern Ireland looked friendly enough — except for the cat’s paws marking the strong gusts.

There are about 60 sailors in the Topper 5.3 and 20 more in the 4.3 keen to race and they have been asked to meet Saturday morning (8 July) at 11am for an updated briefing. It is expected the first warning gun will be at 12.55pm.

Published in Topper, Youth Sailing, Northern Ireland Waters

Viking Marine is Ireland's official Topper supplier offering Topper dinghies and parts for sale.

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Betty Armstrong

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Betty Armstrong is Afloat and Yachting Life's Northern Ireland Correspondent. Betty grew up racing dinghies but now sails a more sedate Dehler 36 around County Down

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