July 4th & 5th

Online Entry HERE

Notice of Race

Camping & Campervan Info

Entry List 

HERE

 3 way tie, and Title decided on Countback
 

25 GP14 boats travelled to the picturesque town of Whitehead, home of County Antrim Yacht Club, on 6th of June for the first of a two-day event which was to be a challenging weekend for event organisers onshore, race management and competitors alike, the first two of which handled it impeccably.

On arrival on Saturday morning the fleet were greeted with the postponement flag flying high on the club flag pole due to an easterly 18-20 kts wind and an adverse sea state. This would make launching impossible from the club slipway. Not to be deterred the ever-efficient and determined shore management team sprung into action and loaded the 25 GPs back on to their road bases, masts already up and gave them a tow across the promenade to the more sheltered public slipway, so launching could commence.

On the water Sheela Lewis led the race management team. It had been 40 years or more since the fleet had visited Whitehead and Sheela had been key in bringing the GP14 fleet to CAYC this year, following her involvement in the race management team for the GP14 Championship in Newtownards in 2024.
The wind had now receded to a light easterly breeze about 8 kts, however with wind across tide, it would make for a very tricky sea state for the competitors. 

On first beat it was the boats which went left that gained a slight advantage: the team of Colman Grimes and Ross Gingles from Skerries and Derwent Reservoir sailing clubs led the fleet around the course, to take the win from Connor Twohig and Matthew Cotter of Howth Yacht club and Keith Louden, Lough Foyle Yacht Club who had swapped Matéo at the front of the boat for the more experienced Brendan Brogan from Sligo Yacht Club. Exams!!

The majority of the fleet started race 2 at the pin end of the line and it was Louden and Brogan who found the best of the breeze early race and won convincingly from Sean Craig of Royal St George Yacht Club, who had taken over the helm in preparation for next weeks British Championships with Stephen Boyle of Sutton Dinghy Club. Peter Boyle being Stephens usual helm. Twohig and Cotter took third. With the wind softening to 5 kts and below that ended racing for the day.
Day two dawned to an angry sea state and 14-16 kts of wind, but with the wind further around to the south it made launching possible from the club slipway. Some rain showers and squalls did not dampen early enthusiasm or spirits.

Race three started with the wind increasing and building to gusts of 20-25 kts and by the time the fleet arrived at the windward mark, most of the front runners decided not to fly spinnakers. Those who did made some nice gains and some others spectacular capsizes.  The race was led from start to finish by Sean Craig and Stephen Boyle, followed by Keith Louden and Brendan Brogan, then Ross Kearney and Daniel Nelson from Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club just ahead of Howths Conor Twohig and Matthew Cotter.

In race four the wind had increased again, 18-20 kts, with gusts of 27 and 28 kts reported at the Committee Boat during the race. With some crews deciding to go for an early shower rather than a cold bath if they had have stayed, the fleet had somewhat depleated. 

For those watching this was a spectacular race full of capsizes and near misses. I am not sure how this race played out at the front, as I couldn’t see much further than the front of my boat, with a wall of salty spray water and concentration at a max in order to stay afloat. However, I am led to believe no spinnakers were flown apart from a few on the run. The last 10 mins of the race saw a horrendous squall and lots of rain. Conor Twohig and Matthew Cotter took the win from Colman Grimes and Ross Gingles, followed by Sean Craig and Stephen Boyle.

With the majority of the fleet deciding they had enough fun for one day, and race officer Sheela Lewis officially calling a halt to racing, it meant that 3 teams would be tied for first place on six points, all with a first, second and third each, and these teams could only be separated by countback on the final race. This gave Connor Twohig and Matthew Cotter their first well deserved GP14 event win, congratulations lads!

In the Silver fleet Patrick Hamilton and Emma Pierce from East Down Yacht Club finished with an incredible 6th place overall win from Sligo Yacht Club’s Sam Wray and Luke Henderson, with Lough Erne Yacht Club’s Brian Morrison and Adam Nelson in third place.

In the hotly contested Bronze fleet, and finishing a very respectable twelfth overall, it was County Antrim Yacht Club’s Daniel Corbett and Frea Pembery who took the win and the Youth Trophy from Rush Sailing club pair Riaghan Boardman and Oisin Alexander. County Antrim Yacht Club’s John and Steffi Lewis finished third place.

The Prizegiving took place in the super Clubhouse with Commodore Greg Simpson handing out the prizes. A big thank you to CAYC organisers, members and volunteers who made for such an enjoyable weekend. I am sure it wont be so long before the GP14 fleet revisits Whitehead.

I would like to wish good luck to both teams of Sean Craig & Stephen Boyle along with Daniel Corbett & Frea Pembery when they travel to Wales this weekend for the British Championships in Llandudno.

The next event in the GP14 Ireland calendar is the GP14 Leinster Championship which returns to Howth Yacht Club on July 4/5. With the World Championships coming to Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club in August, the events are coming thick and fast with a fleet of 100 GP14s expected in Cultra.

Full Results HERE on Sailwave.

August 8 - 14

Notice of Race 

Now Available

HERE

Irish Ferries Discount Code AVAILABLE

(as of January 2026)

Rates (below) available for those travelling from the UK to Ireland for the August events including Championship of Ireland and GP14 World Championships

Cruise Ferry rates from Holyhead & Pembroke

Rates (below) that we can offer for the Irish competitors travelling to the UK Nationals in July. These rates cover travel up to July 17th – supplements will apply for people who return from the UK after this date as it moves into our peak season

Cruise Ferry rates from Dublin & Rosslare

^Van rates are available for vehicles that do not exceed 2.6m in height and 6.0m in length but exclude any Luton/box body vans.

*Includes adapted vehicles once they have living facilities (kitchen and toilet facilities).  

. The same booking procedure and event code will apply.. See below.

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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.