Racing & Coaching
ITCA (GBR) members have access to a wide range of training and racing opportunities to help them enjoy their Topper sailing to the fullest. Most begin with Area Travellers and then progress to National Series events or the major annual national championships once they gain some racing experience.
On the training side, Open Training is exactly that – open to all ITCA members once they have learned to sail a basic triangle course. Participating in open training offers an excellent pathway into the ITCA Regional Performance Squads (RPS) or the ITCA 4.2 or 5.3 National Performance Squads (NPS). More details can be found by clicking "Training Teams" on the menu bar above, or by choosing 'find out about teams.'
Regional Open Training & Traveller Series Events
These are suitable for sailors of all ages and abilities and are a good way to learn new skills, practice existing ones and meet friends from your area, all within reasonable driving distance. Open training is delivered by qualified RYA coaches and is tailored to the needs of the sailors who register for the day. The format of most weekends is one day of training and one day of racing to allow you to practice what you have learnt
Regional training and racing is organised by a volunteer group of parents in your area so any questions on these events should be directed to them. These volunteers juggle family and work commitments with running open training and traveller series events. Without them, these activities would not happen. These volunteers help for a short period of time and then move on as their sailors move on to Youth boats so please take time to chat and find out how things run and see if you can help in the future to keep activity in your area alive and well. If lots of people take on a small aspect of the organisation then it is not an onerous task for any single person.
Book a place on open training via the on line event booking system
Find out more about traveller series events via the areas pages
Please note that all members are welcome to join in any open training or racing event in ANY area of the country. So if you see something happening at a venue that you can travel to, please do enter and join in. Some areas will be including traveller events in adjoining areas in their Notice of Series.
National Series Events
These events are on a larger scale than the Area Travellers and deliver some of the best single handed racing in the country. These are great fun, and we have compiled some "Top Tips" from Topper parents to help sailors and supporters understand, join in, and enjoy the events.
Click here to see the Top Tips from Parents for National Events
Typically up to 150 sailors attend and competition at the front of the fleet can be fierce. Full details of each event and access to an on-line entry system can be found at:
More details or entry via the on line event booking system
Fees are lower the earlier you book so make a note of the dates on the calendar to save yourself some money. Event documents such as Sailing Instructions, course cards and arrival arrangements are available to download at least a week before the event from the entry system.
Please remember that these events are organised and run by volunteers for the benefit of our sailors. Entry fees paid are simply to cover costs incurred in running an event and we need everyone to help out in some way to run the event.
From manning the registration desk, the tally board, stacking trolleys, making tea to driving a RIB, recording championship numbers on a committee boat or hoisting flags, there is a role for everyone. Please support your class by signing up to help at events via your area rep team. More information on volunterring at events can be found here: Volunteering at Events
Please click here to view details of the National Series Event Calendar 2025-26
ITCA (GBR) Winter Training Programme 2025-26
Please click here to view details of our winter training programme.
