The Isle of Man Topper Challenge will be held on the 5th November at the Mooragh Park, Ramsey. The Topper Challenge began a good few years ago (when Davey, Baggie, Hannah, Alexa, Jammie and me we still young enough to sail in it!) and was originally a team racing event contested between teams from the Isle of Man Yacht Club and the Manx Sailing and Cruising Club. King Williams College were invited to enter a team a few years ago and have been winning it ever since! This year 7th Wave will also be entering a team.
Each Club / Centre / School can enter one or two teams of three people, the event is for those aged 16 and under. All the teams will get the chance to race every other team and the overall winner is the team who scores the least points over the series. The aim in each race is to get as may of your own boats over the finish line ahead of boats from the other team. Team racing is tactically challenging and great for spectators, the races are just a few minutes in length, with teams switching over between races. All the scores are kept up to date ashore so that teams can see who they need to beat to gain places. The beauty of it being on the Mooragh Park is that spectators can see everything that is going on and for the sailors – having an audience to cheer them on makes the event really competitive!
“Team Broken” will be turning up to do the race officer duties as usual (Jack I hope you’ve remembered?) Where are we going the night before and is Mum cooking dinner for us all after?
The Topper Challenge is always a good fun event whether you’re racing or spectating, so get your picnics and passports and have a day out in Ramsey on 5th November. Start time will be 12.30pm