Volvo GJW Direct Topper National Series in Plymouth - Preview

Alain Sign visiting Hill Head Topper sailors © Andre Ozanne

The Mountbatten Watersports Centre in Plymouth will be holding the next Volvo GJW Direct national series for the 5.3 and 4.2 Topper fleet with 160 entries so far its looking to be a well contested and enjoyable event.

For logistical reason many National Series events are held on inland water so the summer arriving and a sea side venue will give all the sailors and the support crews and early sea side summer holiday.

With a quick scan of the sailors off on their journey to Rio and having just completed the Weymouth World Cup, a list of past Topper sailors will give a good indication why so many sailors join the class and choose to entice their parents to travel to far flung places.

Alain Sign, GBR's 49er super crew, cut his teeth sailing a Topper at Lee-on-Solent and Stokes Bay. Giles Scott (Finn) was once a Topper Sailor. Alison Young (Laser Radial) again a Topper National Series competitor. Nicola Groves, Nacra 17 crew, learnt how to sheet on in a Topper, and Paralympian gold medallist Helena Lucas was in the fleet too.

So who will it be in 12 years time who has taken part in the Topper class and who follows in the footsteps of these guys, well only time will tell but I bet some parents will have some ideas already.

Following on from Plymouth on the 25th June sees the 4.2 National Champs held at Northampton Sailing Club this will be the last time the champs has its own weekend and in the future will clash with the 5.3 Nationals so all you 5.3 sailors, its your last chance to step back and see if you can get a sail at the Endeavour.

Following on from this will be the Carsington National Series on the 16th July this is the finale of the 2015/16 National Series and the Classes big charity fund raiser. This year the theme is 'Wallys on the Water' with around 400 red and white bobble hats and assorted red and white garb it may be easier to find Woof. If you would like more information please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wallysonthewater all donation will go to Prostrate Cancer.

Next on the circus is the Worlds in Northern Ireland and then on to East Lothian for the 5.3 Nationals and 4.2 Summers amongst all these national events there are many local traveller events up and down the country last weekend at Poole Yacht Club saw 67 entrants and six races and a wood fired pizzas once back on shore, if you wish to get involved with Topper sailing locally or on the National series visit https://gbrtopper.ourclubadmin.com/?gbr for many of the events.