THE Topper National Championships were hosted by East Lothian Yacht Club in North Berwick last week.

More 225 toppers – the topper class of dinghy is sailed by youngsters from 10 to 18 years old – entered into the competition from all over the UK and Ireland.

The normal format of the championship is for a minimum of four qualifying heats to be sailed, followed by the competitors being split into gold, silver and bronze fleets, with a minimum of three races deciding the national champion.

This is in addition to separate racing for less experienced or lighter sailors using a smaller sail, and a regatta fleet for novice sailors.

Families with brothers and sisters often bring more than one boat, and the younger sailors join the 4.2 or regatta racing.

Of the overall entry of 225 boats there were 173 boats in the main fleet, 39 boats in the 4.2 fleet and 13 in the regatta fleet.

The first two days brought high winds and no sailing, and while day three started promisingly, racing was quickly abandoned due to a lack of wind.

A similar problem forced a further abandonment on day four, but only after four qualifying heats had taken place.

Gold and silver fleets racing was held on the fifth day, but only two races had been completed before the wind strength increased, and with numerous capsizes, racing was abandoned once more.

A final attempt to race was made on the last day, but with winds of over 30 knots, the race officer was once more forced to abandon.

Robbie Lawson, commodore of East Lothian Yacht Club said: "The Topper Nationals at East Lothian Yacht Club have certainly been memorable.

"The weather did not smile upon us, with extremes at both ends of the wind speed spectrum.

"Opportunities to set races safely and fairly were limited and the race committee did well to achieve the number of races that they did.

"This has been a fantastic opportunity for our local sailors to experience national level competition and the huge efforts put in by ELYC club and Topper class volunteers has allowed everyone to get the most out of a testing week.

"I would like to congratulate all the young sailors who performed and competed so well.”

At the conclusion, the prizegiving was held, with a full list of the winners below.

Gold Fleet: Samuel Cooper from West Lancashire Yacht Club

Silver Fleet: Sophie Kirk from Stokes Bay Sailing Club

Topper 4.2 Championship: William Hudson from Newhaven & Seaford

Regatta Fleet: Anna Miller from Annandale Sailing Club.