20 grand for Toppers

Irish Sailing Association announce support of Topper Europeans at Blessington Sailing Club

Blessington Sailing Club, supported by the Irish Sailing Association, is hosting the Topper European Championships from Sunday 14 August to Friday 19 August 2005.

Minister for the Environment, Mr. Dick Roche, TD, attended the official launch along with Robert Dix, ISA President, and Cormac Bradley, ISA Chief Executive Officer. The ISA has approved a grant of €20,000 towards the hosting of the event.

A fleet in excess of 150 young sailors, ranging mainly in age from 10 to 17 years, is expected to contest the championships. Sailors from Great Britain, Germany and as far away as Dubai are expected at the European Championships. The Topper is one of the two largest junior fleets in the United Kingdom and is the fastest growing junior fleet there. Fleets in the region 250 Toppers attend the U.K. National and Inland Championships. The Topper is the largest junior fleet racing in Northern Ireland.

The Topper has come a long way since it was first designed in 1976. All modern race controls are now used to tune and depower the large Topper sail. Recent developments include the introduction of centre sheeting for the mainsheet. The new centre sheeting rig makes the Topper an ideal lead in boat to the Olympic Laser class.

With the Europeans in Ireland, all emphasis has been on providing top level coaching for Irish sailors. Two separate squads for coaching have been set up, one in Northern Ireland and one in the South. The top sailors from each squad have been selected for an Irish squad which attends a number of coaching weekends run by overseas Topper coaches. It is expected that Irish sailors will be in contention for the top honours at the European Championships.

The Commodore of Blessington Sailing Club, Dr. John Gibson, says this event is the biggest that the club has ever run and welcomes the strong support provided by the ISA and the Irish Sports Council. The European Championships should provide a major boost in tourism income in the locality.