The continuing choice of the Xenon for the Endeavour Championships solves two problems at a stroke. Previous entrants considered that the RS400 (the previous boat) was a handful for lighter crews and there were occasional difficulties with availability. The Xenon's crew weight is pitched between 18 and 24 stone and Topper continues to supply all the boats so entrants need only arrive in the dinghy park to find a boat awaiting them. If they can get away for the Friday they can also enjoy a day's training in the Xenon, under the skilled eye of top coach Adam Bowers. He will be on hand to help each entrant to make individual adjustments.
This is perhaps the fairest Championships ever. As a recent design, there is as yet no Xenon Champion who might have an advantage at the event. The risks will all be taken by Topper as the UK sailors cast their verdict on their dinghy. Rick Reading, Topper's Sales and Marketing Director remains confident: "We have worked very closely with Selden on the mast, Hyde on the sails and Holt for the fittings. It's designed by Ian Howlett and offers a good level of performance despite its two metre beam. It has the usual simple single line gennaker system with a fixed bowsprit. The bow will just pop up and away she'll go!"
Holt has been in the business for sixty-two years and it is singularly fitting that the company should be so involved as its co-founder, Beecher Moore, was instrumental in the creation of the Championships back in 1961.
