 Toppers Launching at the Youth Nationals |
| Following on from the very successful Leinster Championship in Howth Yacht Club. The second leg of the Topper trials were held during the ISA Mitsubishi Youth Nationals. The Toppers fielded a large fleet of 40 boats and the best of the british squad travelled over from the UK to do battle! This event was once again dominated by Northern Irelands Liam Glynn (Leinster Champion) who won the event on a convincing 17pts after 8 races. Howth had two sailors in the fleet Aoife Hopkins (15th overall) and Issy Delamer. Issy is the current Leinster Optimist Champion and is sailing in her first season in the Topper having transitioned from the optimist. She sailed an extremely successful event to finish 24th overall in the challenging conditions. The Topper is an ISA pathway boat and has ISAF world status. In recognition of this the ISA supports a National squad in both the winter and summer with a full program of racing and coaching. The squad was reselected after the Leinster Championship and the ISA Youth Nationals. Aoife Hopkins has qualified for the summer squad and will represent Ireland at both the Topper British National Championshipand the Topper World Championship to be held in Workum Holland in August. The Topper makes an ideal transition boat from the Oppie to the Laser so watch this fleet grow in Howth over the next few years. |