Topaz Class Association gets off to a great start...

On Saturday the 13^th May, Malahide Yacht Club had the honour of hosting the Inaugural National Topaz Regatta at their newly refurbished Broadmeadows facility. The explosive growth country-wide of the Topaz class was proven when this inaugural event attracted an astounding 78 sailors on a mix of 48 single and double handed Topaz. A number of sailing clubs were represented with some sailors travelling from as far-a-field as Kinsale. Courtown Sailing Club won the day with Michael Harrington placed 1st overall in a Topaz Plus and Michael Jones & Ronan Jones  2^nd overall in a Topaz Uno. Fred Gilbert of Malahide in an Uno took a hard fought third place.

            The objective of the Topaz class association to have a fun day filled with good humoured competition was an unqualified success, as seen on the laughing smiling faces of the competitors as they stumbled exhausted out of the water, following 3 hard fun filled races. The family sailor, a vital element of the Topaz Class was well represented with a host of family teams on the water, mother and son, father and daughter, brother and sister with a father and son team winning the double handed class.

            It was the family nature of the Topaz, it ease of sailing and its virtually maintenance free design that prompted MYC to invest in four Topaz last August for the use of members for training, racing and fun sailing. MYC members, recognising the huge opportunity to revitalise adult and family sailing on the Broadmeadows showed their unqualified support for this initiative by purchasing an additional 34 Topaz, thus bringing the MYC Topaz fleet to a grand total of 38 with more on order. MYC has always had a strong junior fleet but with the Topaz they are keen to also involve adults and families in dinghy sailing and are actively seeking new membership. In addition to the Topaz, members are encouraged to sail and/or race one of the other official club fleets; Lasers, Mirrors or for the junior sailors the Optimists.

            If you are interested in discovering a world of fun and excitement on one of the finest and safest waters in Europe, then feel free to contact Bob Sugrue on 0868048048 or Bob@rgc.ie.  to discuss joining the fastest growing dinghy/cruiser club in Ireland.

Many photos of the event have now been uploaded. They can be found in the photo album

Websites:

MYC: http://www.myc.ie

Topazclass : http://www.topazclass.com