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Preparing for the International Topper World Championships 2026

Tips from Christian Brewer

Line drawing of children sailing small boats near a marina with a building, dock, trees, and a sunny sky.

Tips for tackling Saint-Pierre-Quiberon

If you were lucky enough to qualify for the International Topper World Championships you’re in for an unforgettable experience. Competing at a World Championship is a fantastic achievement and a brilliant opportunity to test yourself against some of the very best Topper sailors from around the world.

With this year’s event taking place in Saint-Pierre-Quiberon, one of France’s premier sailing venues, I wanted to share a few practical tips to help sailors arrive prepared and ready to make the most of the week ahead.

The weeks leading up to the event

Take time to read the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions carefully. In particular, make sure you understand the tally system, the courses being used, the location of the race area and any event-specific procedures. When the adrenaline kicks in, even experienced sailors can experience a total mind blank – so you need to make sure you know them inside out.

It is also worth keeping a close eye on the forecast from around a week before the regatta. At the end of July, a west to south-westerly sea breeze is quite likely in this area. This may not establish until late morning and, as it blows in across the peninsula connecting the mainland and Quiberon, it can be shifty, with changes in wind strength across the course. Look out for darker patches on the water, as these often indicate more pressure.

Study the tide strength and direction as this will also be an important factor. The bay is sheltered from the main tide, which runs strongly west to east around the southern tip of the Quiberon peninsula, but there will still be movement in the race area. On a rising/flood tide, the tide in the course area will run north to north-westerly. On the ebb, it will switch to a south to south-easterly direction. Over the course of the week, the tidal range is expected to increase from around 3m (neaps) to around 4m (springs), and so will the strength, so factor this in on the racecourse. Make sure you check the tide direction before the start, using the pin end buoy or a course mark as a reference.

Arriving in Saint-Pierre-Quiberon

Arrive early if you can. Getting your boat registered and scrutinised as soon as possible gives you valuable time to get out onto the race area and practise beating and running. I highly recommend buddying up with another competitor or with a small group so that you can check out your pace and get a handle on the wave pattern and sea state. I think you will love it, the bay offers the very best dinghy sailing conditions, that’s why so many classes hold their major Championships here.

A person and children sailing on a small sailboat with a large sail, gliding across the water.

Get ready for race day

Hydration is really important. Make sure you have enough water to see you through three races. Staying hydrated helps with clear thinking, decision-making and concentration. Sunscreen and a hat are also essential.

Aim to get out as early as you can you. Don’t forget your tally and make sure you check for any changes to sailing instructions. Once on the water, try out the start line and see which end might be favoured. Try and establish a good line transit on the land so that you know exactly where the line is . Try out the first beat and look for any wind shifts and pressure differences. I use my compass for this and make a mental note of the numbers on each tack.

The start line

In big fleet starts there can be a noticeable dip in the row of boats in the middle of the line, with boats sitting below the actual line. You can use this to your advantage with a good line transit. If you are nervous about starting and do not feel confident to be on the front row of boats, try a starboard start at the committee boat and tack off onto port as soon as you can. When you tack back onto starboard you will most likely have clear air and more options.

The first beat

The first beat is critical to your final position in a big fleet. Take note of the wind shifts and tack on them to get you closer to the windward mark. Keep clear air, don’t sit in the wind shadow of a boat to windward and just ahead of you, tack off when you are able. Don’t hit the layline too early on up the beat as this will reduce your options to get to the windward mark, especially if conditions are shifty.

Downwind

Play the waves and keep clear air, watch out for wind gusts and use them to your advantage. Watch out for starboard boats beating to windward, you are windward boat and must give way.

Simple line drawing of a sailboat with a single sail, perfect for children sailing adventures, and a black top hat symbol on top.

Play the long game

This is a long regatta, don’t get disheartened by a bad first day. Take time to analyse your days racing and learn from your mistakes ready for the next day. Above all have fun and enjoy the regatta. You’re racing in a World Championship, in the best junior sailing boat on the planet! That’s something to be proud of for the rest of your life!

Good luck – I’ll be cheering you all on!

Christian Brewer

Black and white drawing of a smiling man standing, dressed in a vest and shirt, watching children sailing.

Christian Brewer is a member of Whitstable Yacht Club and a former Olympic Squad and British Sailing Team member in the Tornado class. He has won fifteen National and one European Championship in catamarans and in One Design keel boats. A former sailmaker and charter yacht sales manager, Christian has sailed extensively in Europe, the Caribbean, Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

John Heyes is the current International Secretary General for the International Topper Class Association (ITCA). With his long-standing dedication to Topper sailing, he has inspired and developed hundreds of young sailors around the world, helping them progress through the ITCA pathway.

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