INTERNATIONAL TOPPER CLASS ASSOCIATION November 2017 Newsletter, Edition 24 www.itcaworld.org www.facebook.com/itcaworld secretary@itcaworld.org
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Photo by Simon McIlwaine, Wavelength Images.
Wow - what an event! A total of 215 competitors entered for the 2017 Rooster Topper World Championships which took place in Loctudy, France from 22 to 28th July.
A record 55 competitors took part in the 4.2 fleet, requiring two flights for the first time ever.
The Opening Ceremony took place on the Sunday evening and was followed by a fantastic finger buffet. On Monday the Qualification series began as scheduled and 5 days of champagne sailing followed.
Winds were great throughout the week and excellent racing was had by all, with 29 of the scheduled 30 races completed.
The Club and race organisers did a great job, and races were run smoothly.
A total of over 70 prizes were distributed at the prize giving ceremony, in addition to the many daily prizes given out at the briefings. Rooster returned as the Title Sponsor, supported by Sacqua, and ITCA is very grateful for their strong support!
Parents and supporters enjoyed the welcome of the club, shoreside fun, crepes, and the lovely beach.
Wednesday saw the finish of the Qualification series with the 5.3 fleet now split into Gold, Silver and Bronze flights. The evening was capped with a fabulous traditional French meal provided by Jean Claude, French chef extraordiaire.
Thursday the Finals series began with a slightly earlier start to accommodate another themed evening. "China Night" was held at 7pm and the Chinese team and parents treated sailors and supporters to a number of fantastic performances including musical instruments, singing, tea ceremony, dance, etc. An informational presentation on the 2018 Worlds to be held in China followed, presented by Vincent Wang of Meisha Campus, the main sponsors of the 2018 event. The marquee was then turned into a series of stalls where delicious samples of Chinese food were kindly provided by the Chinese team as well as games and demonstrations.
Topper sailors and parents were incredibly enthusiastic about China 2018 and raced to apply for grant funding and register their interest. Helen Vincent, of Travel Counselors, helped to provide information and costings and is kindly helping families to organise their travel. More information on the 2018 Worlds is further on in the newsletter.
Right: Even a few members of the Terracotta Army visited China Night at the Worlds. Pictured at right, future French Topper sailor Clarance.
Team China mothers who prepared a fantastic range of Chinese food for China night at the Topper Worlds.
Chinese Dancer, photo by Thom Touw
Check out some of the great video footage kindly compiled by Keeson, Team China!
Photos by Simon McIlwaine, Wavelength Images.
Friday morning opened the final day of racing and nerves were indeed prominent as sailors battled for the final positions. In the 5.3 Gold fleet, Scott Wilkinson was crowned 1st Overall on 55 points. 2nd place was taken by Samuel Cooper GBR and third was Daniel McGaughey IRL. First lady was Milly Jinks GBR.
Please cast a vote for our World Champion in the Yachts and Yachting Young Sailor of the year Awards - The last two have gone to Topper sailors - wouldn't a Hat Trick be amazing!
Photos by Simon McIlwaine, Wavelength Images.
In the 4.2 fleet, Sean Woodard GBR was crowned the 4.2 World Champion, followed by Xinran Chen and Yikang Su, both from China. Full results are available from the ITCA World Website.
Lots of photos from the event are available from Simon McIlwaine, Wavelength Images, and Thom Touw Photography. Great shots, Simon and Thom!
A heartwarming story from the Worlds:-
Former Topper Sailor sailor Jenna Vincent set up a Just Giving fund to assist Shadley Thomas from South Africa to attend. You may remember that Shadley attended the 2016
Topper Worlds, expecting an 'opportunity of a lifetime' as he came from the Garden Route Sailing underprivileged programme. Unfortunately he fell gravely ill, causing him to remain in hospital for 6 weeks in Northern Ireland. Donations given by the sailing fraternity were generous, and the extra funds raised were used to buy new sailing equipment (from Rooster) to be taken back to the sailing club for their special programme in Mossel Bay.
"A very Big THANK YOU from our sailors here in Mossel Bay there are going to be some "hot" sailors on the water from now on! When you said that we will be getting extra jackets not for a minute did I think it will be so many. Thank you for making it possible for my sailors to sail comfortably at chilly times here in Mossel Bay. They are really going to appreciate it during regattas as they spend long hours on the water."
Another exciting story was that when Benoit Morier, who lives in Loctudy, heard about the 2017 Topper Worlds his son immediately entered and had a great week. With a little help from Topper International his old Topper was reactivated in no time!
Interestingly Benoit also had a Topper with a stayed mast plus jib. The two sail version was designed back in the late 90s and a few were sold to sailing schools so that they could get two people into the boat. On the last day he brought it around to the beach and Abby Williamson had a sail. Abby said, “It was great fun. It picks up breeze very well, gets on the plane really easily and is an exciting sail." For the full story click here.
Looking forward, ITCA is excited that plans are well underway for the 2018 Meisha Campus Topper Worlds Adventure. Meisha Campus has generously sponsored the event making this an affordable adventure for Topper sailors and their families. A strong attendance is expected with interest from around the globe. Optional pre- and post-tours of China and Hong Kong have been organised by Travel Counsellors. Online entry will be opening soon.
A limited number of grants are available for sailors and guardians and applications are invited from international sailors. There are limits to the amount of grants by country, and unfortunately the GBR and IRL grants are all allocated at present.
Please see the website for further details and watch the preview video below!
In the lead-up to the Worlds, an Asian Topper Championship has been planned for 29th December to 1st January. A team of ITCA officials have been invited to assist in the running of the event. Again a high turnout is expected with many countries represented. If you are interested in attending, please contact Clive Grant via email. The Notice of Race is available here.
With great sadness we have learned of the passing of Helen Evans, former ITCA (GBR) Secretary and ITCA International Secretary.
For many in the Topper world Helen was not only a wife, mother, grandmother but binding us all together was a real friend. It is always so sad when someone you hold dear passes away and yet it is at the same time an opportunity to give thanks – thanks for a rich life of fulfillment where Helen was at the heart of the Topper Class.
This has been echoed many times in the loving tributes that the family has received all capturing the same spirit with phrases like, “a lovely person”, “truly professional in all she did”, “kindness itself ”, “a great ambassador for the class”, and “a lady like a fond Auntie to countless young sailors” occurring time and again.
Helen was the ITCA (GBR) Class Secretary for 23 years and even when she retired from that position, she still maintained her links by continuing as ITCA International Secretary for several more years where she had built up close links.
Please see the full tribute to Helen on the ITCA Website, written by Roger Cleland, former ITCA Chairman.
We hope you have enjoyed our newsletter. If you have any queries do contact the International Secretary, Michelle Hill. She is happy to help!
2018 Meisha Campus Topper World Championships
Longcheer Yacht Club, Shenzhen, China
11th - 25th August 2018
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