The Topper: a Surprising Choice for the 2018 Quebec Games


In the wake of the surprising choice by the Club de voile des deux montagnes (CVDM - located in Vaudreuil, in the vicinity of Montreal) to acquire 10 Topper dinghies, the Quebec Sailing Federation has just announced that it has also chosen the Topper for the next Quebec Games.

For those who are not familiar with them, the Quebec Games are a major youth event taking place every other year in a range of disciplines (athletics, swimming, etc.). https://thetford2018.jeuxduquebec.com

As discussed previously, the Topper is a dinghy whose design is outdated, and which does not offer opportunities for regattas in North America, unlike alternatives that would have been probably more justified - the Open Bic and the Laser 4.7, or even the Radial Laser. 

For those who are familiar with youth sailing in Quebec, it is well known that none of the best youth sailors will ever sail in this boat. 

Two years ago, the same federation had chosen another dinghy, virtually unknown - the "Outsider" - which had proved to be unsuitable in the strong winds that had prevailed during the 2016 games. Previous editions were sailed in the Laser Radial.

With this new choice, it is unlikely that Quebec's top youth sailors will participate in this edition of the Quebec Games, which will take place at the Thetford Mines Club in the Chaudière-Appalaches region. 

It is unclear in which boats the regional selections will be made, since the Topper is not available anywhere except at the CVDM. 

According to the technical specifications developed by the Quebec Sailing Federation, it will be possible to compete at the Quebec Games from the age of 12 in Topper, so there is also an overlap between the Optimist and Topper classes. 

This is a missed opportunity for the Sailing Federation of Quebec to adopt a dinghy that is more modern and that actually has a future. 

Clearly, youth dinghy sailing development is not out of the woods in the Province of Québec ...

Attachment: communiqué by the Québec Sailing Federation, downloaded from their website (that looks a bit like a brochure from the manufacturer ...) 

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