Elliott Kuzyk follows in his brother's footsteps to win the Topper Worlds
by Bournemouth Echo 8 Sep 2016 10:53 BST
23-29 July 2016
Elliott Kuzyk, Topper World Champion © Topper Class
World Champion Topper sailor Elliott Kuzyk has followed in the footsteps of older brother Giles by claiming a superb victory on the global stage – in the same Topper boat.
Giles became Topper World Champion four years ago and his 15-year-old sibling made it a family double at this year's Championship at Ballyholme Yacht Club in Northern Ireland.
It was the first time in the 40-year history of the class that two brothers had triumphed with World Championship wins and the signs are good for the siblings given another previous winner, Giles Scott, won gold at Rio 2016.
Ian Walker, also a previous champion, won the Volvo Ocean Race and two Olympic silver medals in a stellar racing career.
Elliott is a member of Parkstone Yacht Club and has been part of the RYA's Team GBR set-up for the past two years.
Elliott has also won the Southern Area title an unprecedented five times and has been victorious in around 20 regional Open Traveller events.
More than 200 boats competed at the World Championship, with 163 boats in the main 5.3 fleet, of which Elliott was a part. There were no gender or age restrictions for entry and sailors typically raced for up to six hours a day throughout the week-long event.
Elliott would like to thank the Royal Yachting Association, RYA Team GBR, Parkstone Yacht Club, Poole Grammar School, Everyone Active and Poole Bay Rotary for their contribution towards his World Championship success.
www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/14727171.Sailing__Elliott__39_s_on_topper_the_world_with_family_double