Last weeks’ Advertiser reported the success of Helensburgh Sailing Club member Calum Rosie who won the Topper dinghy UK National Championships in Wales.

Calum has now followed this up with a stunning victory in the Topper World Championships, beating over 130 other sailors from across Britain, France, Malta, India, Japan and South Africa.

Calum faced competition from Ireland’s Adam D’Arcy and the thrilling contest between the duo came down to the last race, which Calum excelled in to take gold and claim the title of world champion.

Mike Heath, of Helensburgh Sailing Club, said: “It was a nail-biting finish which all came down to the final race in the event.

“Calum was ecstatic with his victory which comes after months of intensive training with the UK Junior Sailing Squad and a string of other regatta successes.” However, hot on the heels of Calum’s victory, there was cause for another celebration as Helensburgh Sailing Club youth sailor Jack Aitken won the UK Laser Class National Championships at Largs. Jack has enjoyed great success this year at National and European level in the Laser Radial Youth Series, but winning the Laser Full Rig National event against adult sailors was a massive achievement.

Helensburgh Sailing Club’s Kevin Lynch said: “All of us at Helensburgh Sailing Club are delighted for Calum, Jack and their families, they have shown commitment and dedication and worked very hard on skills and fitness to win these championships.

“We have a successful training centre at the club and it’s great to see some if our graduates perform and win at such a high level.” The two achievements are the latest in a number of victories for sailors from the club who are looking to develop potential Olympic stars of the future like Calum and Jack – and others like Calum’s younger brother David, who was also competing at the Topper World and National Championships, and last year won the Topper 4.2 World Championships in France.

Not to be outdone, the adult sailing section at Helensbirgh Sailing Club has also seen national success in 2014, with club members retaining the Sigma33 National Championships aboard ‘Sigmatic’ skippered by Donald McLaren.

In addition the team led by Paul Scott and Alan Jeffries won the West Highland Sailing Week.

Last week also, Alice Meaden and Neil Manderson finished sixth out of 42 in the Bronze fleet at the RS200 dinghy National Championships at Hayling Island.