Topper Munster Championship at Tralee Bay Sailing Club
by Liam Lynch 19 May 2008 09:58 BST
10-11 May 2008
20 Topper sailors from all corners of Ireland came to Tralee Bay Sailing Club in Fenit, Co. Kerry for the Munster Championship on 10/11th May. Not only did they come for the racing but they also had the opportunity to inspect the venue where this year's Gul Topper World Championship will be held.
The weather forecast suggested that PRO Peter Moore might have a difficult weekend, but on Saturday a light northerly breeze held for the whole day and four races were completed in good time.
Philip Doran from Courtown won the first two races by a good way as he always seemed to be on the right side of the shifts. However in race three Finn Lynch from Blessington got ahead of Philip and took a good win.
In race four the wind had picked up somewhat and was quite shifty at about ten to twelve knots Philip appeared to have the race won but a last tack allowed Ryan Wilson from Courtown to take the race by the narrowest of margins. Although he had not won a race Fraser Wilson from East Down was also well placed overnight. All of the sailors and supporters enjoyed a barbeque in the clubhouse later in the evening.
On Sunday morning there wasn’t enough wind to even stir the postponement flag and all stayed ashore for two hours. When eventually we did get afloat the boats had to be towed to the race area but Peter’s patience paid off and one race was completed in light winds. Philip Doran was again the winner.
Overall Results:
1st P. Doran (Courtown SC)
2nd F. Lynch (Blessington Lake SC)
3rd F. Wright (East Down SC)
4th R. Wilson (Courtown SC)
5th &1st Lady, Aoife Hurney (Courtown SC)