Hot Toddy (Oct 18/19) Announcement - Due to ongoing algal bloom issues on Lough Neagh, our Hot Toddy event scheduled for Oct 18/19 has had to be relocated to Lough Erne Yacht Club. 

The event will take place on the same weekend (Oct 18/19)

The NOR and online entry will be available shortly. We would like to thank LEYC and the other Clubs who offered their facilities for a relocated or rescheduled event.

Strong Turnout and Competitive Racing

Despite the late August calendar providing events such as Fireball Worlds (Lake Garda) and the Melges15 National Championship (Howth) that included possibly 8-10 GP14 regulars, Rush Sailing Club played host to a fantastic edition of the GP14 Irish Nationals over the weekend of August 22–24.

With 41 on the water, it was the biggest GP14 event across Ireland and the UK since the 2024 Worlds. A great sign of the class’s continued momentum, especially among its growing group of youth and junior sailors. It was also the first event since Keith and Matteo Louden took a tremendous 2nd place at the 2025 UK Nationals raced in Tenby in early August.

Despite a long association with the GP14 Class and with the Class resurgent in recent years, this was the first occasion the GP14 Championship of Ireland was hosted by Rush Sailing Club.

The three-day event delivered a full and competitive race programme despite some light and

challenging conditions. With tight racing across the fleet and some standout performances from both experienced and up-and-coming pairs.

Day One –

Friday began slowly, with competitors waiting nearly two hours on the water as light conditions

stalled the schedule. Eventually, a light southeasterly settled in, and the race committee got two races away:

• Race 1 winners: Ross Kearney & Daniel Nelson (Royal North of Ireland YC)

• Race 2 winners: John & Donal McGuinness (Moville Boat Club)

Day Two –

Saturday delivered more stable conditions with 7–9 knots from the southeast. Multiple general

recalls early in the day prompted PRO Scorie Walls to introduce the black flag, which helped

keep the fleet in check. UK Nationals runner up Keith & Matteo Louden unfortunately were holed in a collison and missed 3 races putting an end to their efforts to win the Championship. Four races were completed, making for a busy and productive day on the water:

• Races 3 & 4: Ger Owens & Melanie Morris (Wicklow SC/East Antrim BC)

• Race 5: Coleman Grimes & Ross Gingles (Rush Sailing Club/Skerries Sailing Club)

• Race 6: Ross Kearney & Daniel Nelson (Royal North of Ireland YC)

Day Three –

Sunday’s conditions remained consistent, with a steady breeze and two final races to close out

the championship. General recalls returned to start the day, and several boats fell foul of the

black flag in Race 7. Going into Race 8, was tight between Grimes and Kearney, but the continued use of the black flag saw Kearney out of the race:

• Race 7: Ger Owens & Melanie Morris (WSC/EABC) led from the front in a dominant performance.

• Race 8: Sam Street & Josh Lloyd (Blessing Lakes Sailing Club) delivered a strong win, highlighting the rising standard among the youth fleet.

Final Results

Gold Fleet

1st – Ger Owens & Melanie Morris (Wicklow SC/East Antrim BC/Rst George YC)

2nd – Coleman Grimes & Ross Gingles (Rush Sailing Club/Skerries Sailing Club)

3rd – Ross Kearney & Daniel Nelson (Royal North of Ireland YC)

Silver Fleet

1st – Adam Torrens & Emily Torrens (Newtownard SC/Lough Erne YC)

2nd – Jessica Greer & Mark Greer (Sligo Yacht Club)

3rd – Patrick Hamilton & Adam Nelson (East Down YC)

Bronze Fleet

1st – Riaghan Boardman & Maedbh Butterly (Rush Sailing Club)

2nd – Matthew Street & Denis Cully (Blessing Lakes Sailing Club)

3rd – Aisling Kelly & Matthew Kelly (Rush Sailing Club)

Youth & Junior Champion

1st – Dvaid Evans & William Draper (Sligo Yacht Club)

Leading Female Helm

1st – Jessica Greer (Sligo Yacht Club)

Masters Champion

1st – John & Donal McGuinness (Moville Boar Club)

The race management team, led by PRO Scorie Walls, alongside Mike Head and Ronan

MacDonell, did an exceptional job delivering quality racing going smoothly despite the testing

wind and tidal conditions. Their professionalism ensured the championship maintained a high

standard throughout.

Rush Sailing Club also shone off the water, with catering provided each evening and live music

keeping the atmosphere lively ashore. Event organiser Paul Kelly coordinated a superb team of volunteers who ensured everything ran seamlessly — from laying marks to lifting trailers to

keeping the kitchen turning over. Commodore Paul O’Hare expressed his delight at hosting the

fleet, noting how proud he was of the home club’s sailors and adding, “They’re a great bunch to have, the GP14 fleet, and we’d love to have them again.”

A huge thanks go to the generous event sponsors — Doyle Sails IRL, Swords Motor Group,

Grimes Estate Agents, and Ellab — whose support made the event possible. David Kelly of Doyle Sails presented spinnakers to the overall winners in each fleet, setting them up nicely for the season ahead which includes the GP14 World Championships to be hosted in Ireland by Royal North of Ireland YC in August 2026.

The GP14 season continues with the Autumn Open and Youth Championship hosted by

Blessington Lake Sailing Club. With momentum high and youth energy driving the fleet forward, the future of GP14 racing in Ireland is looking brighter than ever.

August 22-24 2025

Notice of Race

Now Available BELOW

Owens and Morris Dominate at GP14 Leinster Championship on a Sunny Greystones Weekend

Event preamble - The GP14 Ireland class decided to take a break from linking in with the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta where on alternate years the GP14 Leinster Championship has been run since 2017. 

The 2025 GP14 Leinsters took place last weekend at Greystones Sailing Club. There had been some concern as to the impact this change might have on numbers as many of the fleet enjoy sailing in other Classes and types of boats.

We needn't have worried too much as 31 GP14s made it to the Greystones startline. Leading into the event, the form team this season was Team Gringles having won the Munster Championship recently in Cullaun. However with Colman Grimes & Ross Gingles unavailable the focus was on other form crews such as Keith & Matteo Louden, Alan Blay & Hugh McNally, Paddy O'Connor & Richad Street. Also in the mix is Ger Owens & Mel Morris who missed Cullaun.

An interesting aside is that 14302, recently home built by Kevin Donnelly in Antrim Boat Club and based on the Ginger Boat moulds, will be racing for the first time. Kevin has done a remarkable job and the finish is magnificent. Kevin has been able to tap into the experience and support of GP14 guru Alistair Duffin as well as GP14 technical expertise from across the International fleet.

The GP14 Leinster Championship made a long-awaited return to Greystones Sailing Club on the 12th and 13th of July, with 31 boats representing 16 clubs from across Ireland. This marked the first GP14 event hosted at the club since 2012, and it was greeted by glorious sunshine and warm temperatures as forecasted by Met Éireann.

Saturday: Sun-Soaked but Windless

Saturday morning saw Race Officer Jim Lambkin and his experienced team, including GP14 Ireland Class President Andy Johnston, head out in search of raceable wind. At 12:30, the call was made for the fleet to proceed to the course area, and a line was laid in anticipation. However, a general recall at the first start and then a complete drop in wind resulted in the race being abandoned. Despite a three-hour wait on the water, conditions failed to improve. The day ended with sailors enjoying the sunshine—albeit without a single race completed.

Sunday: Light Winds Deliver Close Racing

With everything to play for on Sunday, the fleet watched the morning flags with cautious optimism. Thankfully, by mid-morning, conditions improved just enough for racing to get underway. Jim Lambkin and his team expertly managed to complete three races in light fickle winds and strong tides, before the breeze faded once again.

Competition was tight across the board, but it was Ger Owens and Melanie Morris who delivered a masterclass, winning all three races to take the Leinster Cup in dominant fashion.

Keith and Mateo Louden from Lough Foyle Sailing Club secured second place overall, while local sailor Rob Lee and Stephen Lynch had a strong third-place finish. Special mention to overall fourth place Peter Brines and Leah Pedersen (LEYC) who are currently bronze fleet sailors, though I suspect not for much longer.

Fleet Breakdown and Racing Spirit

The event saw great participation across all fleet levels: 11 entries in Gold, 4 in Silver, and an impressive 16 in Bronze. Racing was close throughout the day, with narrow margins separating the front and back of the fleet—highlighting the depth of talent and competitiveness on display.

Though Saturday may have lacked wind, the event overall was a great success, combining high-quality racing, a fantastic atmosphere, and superb summer weather.

Results by Fleet

Gold Fleet

1st place Ger Owens and Melanie Morris

2nd place Keith Louden and Mateo Louden

3rd place Rob Lee and Stephen Lynch

Silver Fleet

1st place Simon Cully and Libby Tierney

2nd place Neil Willis and Peter Sloan

3rd place Alan Pinder and John Zumerchik

Bronze Fleet

1st place Peter Brines and Leah Pedersen

2nd place Denis Cully and Matthew Street

3rd place Riaghan Boardman and Maedbh Butterly

1st Youth Boat Peter Brines and Leah Pedersen

1st Junior Boat Riaghan Boardman and Maedbh Butterly

Overall Results see attached.

Next event is the Doyle Sails Championship of Ireland to be sailed at Rush Sailing Club, AUgust 22 / 24.

The 2025 Munster Championship returned to Cullaun Sailing Club, the centre of Munster Sailing and the recent recipients of Irish Sailings Club of the Year. Cullaun and its small lake is a favorite of the GP14 fleet and this year didn't disappoint the faithful with 26 entries and 25 on the race course.

The Cullaun News, a regular source of GP14 info, hints and tips as well as gossip and inside stories had been active in the weeks before hand encouraging the fleet and especially the emerging Rush contingent who had yet to sample the joys of Cullauns reed beds and of course McArthurs in Tulla on a Saturday night.

Saturday saw a forecast with a mixed bag of conditions with big gusts to 18 knots and nothing less than 8 knots. The PRO David Mullally and his assistant Michael Collins planned for 4 races with 2 for Sunday to ensure all those with 4 and 5 hr return trips got home at a reasonable time.

Th 4 races each, 40 to 50 minutes long with 4 laps saw plenty of thrills and spills. Plenty of near capsizes and full dunkings saw a very tired fleet hit the shore about 5pm with an incredibly tight leader-board. Colman Grimes (Ross Gingles) and Alan Blay (Hugh McNally), both former winners of the Munster Championship were separated by  Mr. consistency Keith Louden (Mateo Louden) with only a point separating the 3 of them. Colman with 2 race wins sat top of the leader-board ahead of Keith, one win but all 4 races in top 3 and Alan also taking a win and a couple of top 3 placings as well. Behind them, Curly Morris (Meg Tyrrell) was well pleased and placed considering the conditions with 4 race finishes, 4 top 10s including a 2nd in Race 2. Paddy O' Connor (Richard Street) has the new boat going well and was regularly in the mix near the top.

Recently promoted Emily and Adam Torrens led silver fleet but more than held their own with gold fleet and ended Saturday in the top 5. Also in Silver, Max Cully teaming up this season with Sam Street, placed in top 10 overnight with 3 top 5 finishes. Some crew rearrangements saw Denis Cully with Matthew Street at the pointy end, post some good scores to lead Bronze fleet overnight. These may well be new combinations to watch this season.

Saturday night dinner and refreshments was laid on in the recently opened Tulla Comhaltas Cultural Centre. A great venue manned by members of the Cullaun Sailing Club led by Commodore Jim O’Sullivan. Further refreshments for the less tired after 4 tough races were taken across the road in the quirky McArthurs Bar with its snugs and sloping floor. Well worth the visit to Cullaun for this alone.

Sunday promised to be more of the same weather wise and the fleet were out on the water by 11 for the final 2 races and what a spectacle. The PRO team decided to change things up and opted for windward leewards. Its a long time since I have seen such close racing. Race 5 saw our 3 leaders battle head to head, the lead changing hands regularly as shifts changed the optimum side of this small lake. 4 rounds made for plenty of turning, with the crew work at a premium it was relentless and often punished with positional changes. Keith Louden took the gun from Alan Blay with Colman in 3rd. Still all to play for going into the final face.

The 6^th and final race got underway and again the 3 leaders were to the fore with only Sligo Yacht Club Paddy O'Connor in the mix. The 4 boats were never more than 4 or 5 boat lengths from each other. Again the lead changed hands multiple times with Paddy O'Connor at one point looking like a potential victor till a small shift allowed Colman take the lead on the second last leg and take the gun.

This was important as with Paddy now separating Colman from Keith and Alan it meant Colman Grimes (Ross Gingles) would take the title for a second time. Keith Louden (Mateo Louden) took 2nd with Alan Blay (Hugh McNally) completing the podium places. Paddy O'Connor (Richard Streets) efforts were rewarded by 4th overall.

Emily and Adam Torrens maintained their consistency with 4th in Race 5 to take top Youth, Silver fleet and 5th overall ahead of Curly Morris (Meg Tyrrell) who was delighted to have completed 5 races in tough conditions.

The Cullys Max (Sam Street) and Denis (Matthew Street) finished 7 and 8 respectively with Denis Cully taking Bronze fleet prize as he did in the Ulster Championship.

Event organiser, Des McMahon thanked all for making the effort to come to the centre of Munster sailing, as Cullaun Commodore Jim O' Sullivan handed our the prizes. Ther new Munster Champion, Colman Grimes thanked his long time crew Ross Gingles, recognising their first GP14 victory together and the all the other sailors for such a competitive and tight event.

It was another great event, rewarding those who traveled extensive distances to be there and as Class President, I applaud the hospitality and effort from the host Club and its not hard to see why they won Club of the Year at the recent Irish Sailing Awards.

The ‘Craftinsure GP14 Leagues’ after 2 events sees Skerries Sailing Clubs Colman Grimes lead Lough Foyle Keith Louden but word is Colman will not be around for the Leinster Championship. Blessington Sailing Clubs Max Cully and Sam Street lead silver as Newtownards Emily and Adam are swapping helm duties. Blessington Sailing Clubs Denis Cully and Matthew Street lead Bronze fleet.

Next event is the Leinster Championships in Greystones on July 12/13.

June 7 / 8

Final Results available HERE 

Irish Ferries Discount Code AVAILABLE

(as of April 2025)

We would be more than happy to continue our event rates for you for the 2025 season and the event code that you have (GP14WC) will remain active. The rates that we have attached to the code can be used for travel UK to Ireland (which will be priced in Sterling) and Ireland to UK (which will be priced in Euro).

Bookings can be requested by email to our team at clubdeals@irishferries.com

Competitors will need to include the information below along with the event code:

• Name, date of birth and nationality for each person
• Do any passengers require special assistance
• Routes, dates and times of sailings
• Type of on board accommodation (e.g. Club Class or cabin) if needed
• Vehicle make and registration number
• Trailer dimensions (in meters), to include towbar
• Where booking for a motorhome, please include height and length of the vehicle in meters
• A contact postal address
• A contact mobile phone number

Please note that the code will not work on our website and bookings should be sent through to our team by email only

Terms & conditions: Event rates cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion, offer or discount. Special rates cannot be used if paying with Tesco Boost Tokens and should never be advertised on any public facing content (web or social media). Use of this event code will be monPlease note that the code will not worPlease note that the code will not work on our website and bookings should be sent through to our team by email onlyk on our website and bookings should be sent through to our team by email onlyitored and will be revoked if any misuse is detected. All sailings are subject to availability.

NOTE for 2026 - We expect to be able to arrange a discount code with Irish Ferries for 2026 but as the details on their 2026 sailings, etc. wont be in place until nearer the end of this year, discussions will not start til then.