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Irish Topper Nationals at Ballyholme Yacht Club

by Wendy Barlow 2 Aug 2005 15:24 BST 23-25 July 2005

This year, the Topper Irish National Championship, sponsored by the North Down Borough Council, was held at Ballyholme Yacht Club, running from 23rd -25th July.

The stage was set, with perfect blue skies, balmy sun and light to moderate North easterly winds. The dinghy park was cleared and we were ready for action. Our first visitors began to arrive on Thursday and eventually we had 52 boats ready to launch on Saturday morning.

To add to the excitement of the next three days, Dave Cockerill the RYA Topper National Coach, brought over from the mainland ,12 of the Topper National Squad. Other entrants came from all corners of Ireland and when the first warning signal sounded on Saturday morning it was a stirling fleet that went over the start line.

Saturday’s racing was held in fairly light winds fom the south east with 3 races back to back. The sailors also had to contend with a large swell which for some of the the younger ones proved to be difficult. Our first days races were won by Oscar Mcveigh, Wimbledon ( race 1,Martin Evans, Dabchicks,(race2) and Bleddyn Mon, Reed Wharf,(race 3). After sailing a barbeque was provided and just to keep the brains ticking over a fun quiz had been organised.

On day 2 we had a very light breeze in the morning which soon picked up to a force 2 or 3 and provided us with some exciting racing. Four races were completed with a lunch break supplied to the sailors on the water. After six hours on the water the winner of race 4 was Martin Evans,race 5 was Bleddyn Mon, race 6 wasOscar McVeigh and race 7 was Martin Evans.

On Sunday we were very concerned that we would not get a race in never mind two, but true to form a light breeze began to fill in around 11am and the race officer successfully got the final 2 races in. Race 8 was won by Barry McCartin ,Cushendall and race 9 was won by Oscar McVeigh.

Amongst the girls there was also stiff competition with Heather Fox, Stewartby S.C winning first lady overall and Lisa-Marie Maskey, Cushendall SC, winner of First Irish Lady.

Overall Results:

1st Oscar McVeigh, Wimbelton Pk SC (1st U14)
2nd Ben Palmer, Island Barn RSC
3rd Martin Evans, Dabchicks SC
4th Bleddyn Mon, Red Wharf Bay
5th Barry McCartin, Cushendall SC (1st U16 and Irish Topper Champion 2005)
6th Thomas Gillard, Rotherham SC
7th Chris Penney, Carrickfergus SC
8th Sam Coombs, Clevedon SC
9th Heather Fox, Stewartby SC
10th Matt McMurtry, Carrickfergus SC
1st U12 Oliver Loughead, Ballyholme YC

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