Report: David Johnston with Sam Watson

As things start to build nicely in the lead up to the GP14 World Championships held in Pwllheli, Wales in August, there has been some outstanding sailing within the ever busy Irish GP fleet to date. We have had the Munster Championships held in Killaloe Sailing Club for the first time, the ever exciting O’Tiarnaigh Challenge on Lough Owel Mullingar, and the Leinster Championship sailed out of Howth Yacht Club. 

Evidence of the abundance of talent within the fleet, no two events have been won by the same crew, boasting 13 unique race winners out of a total 23 races. Something to also note this year has been the emergence of some new crews ready to mix it up with the old boys of the fleet, down largely to the immense time and effort of a number of class members to promote this amazing fleet to the masses and the youth, both of which will get further mentions below.

As the GP fleet descended upon Newtownards Sailing Club on the 28th June, we were welcomed with the incredible hospitality one comes to expect from NSC members. Not only that, but WIND!! And lots of it!!! While this was a welcome sight to most, having just finished the Round Ireland Race less than 12 hours previously, I was fearful for the state of my legs apres sailing. After a very quick and efficient briefing from our Race Officer Sheila, the 45 strong class began the long march down the slipway into Upper Strangford Lough.

The scene out on the water  pre-race was a spectacle to witness. Boats flying left and right getting to grips with the conditions presented by the 20+ knot winds. Some brave souls attempted to test their kite skills, some opting to have a leisurely swim (to climatise I imagine), and unfortunately, the first victim of the weekend was claimed before a race had even been started due to a collision resulting in a hole in the front tanks. 

Race One underway from a traditional line start, All Clear!! The first race was a real test of the metal with a short first beat that just required one thing, Hike like ****! First to the top mark was Sam Watson, over from the UK, followed closely by Ross Kearney. Up go the kites……or do they? Sam and David pop theirs but none from former Mirror World Champ Ross. Is the risk worth the reward? An absolute scorcher of a reach and both boats reach the gybe mark separated by only 2 or 3 boat lengths, around they went and thankfully no issues on the gybe, but Sam and David in Lil Yachty accelerate away faster with the added sail area. Ross hoists to follow suit. Sam retains a commanding lead for the remainder, while some vertical issues cause Ross to fall back to 10th, with Chris Bateman taking 2nd, and Sam Street claiming 3rd!

Race 2 sported similar winds however a large right shift had allowed any starboard side starters to profit from this and lead the way. Ross led by some distance at the windward mark. He opted for the kite straight away this time. Good man! After some seriously good racing up and down the course there was a strong pack of about 7 or 8 boats still all within grasp of a podium place. Sam and David however wanted a second bullet and pushed their boat hard down the final two reaches coming from 10-15 boat lengths behind Ross to within touching distance. Around the final gybe mark and disaster struck! The aluminum tiller had shattered under the load and left the pair to finish that final leg rudderless, having to settle for a 9th. Ross held on for his first bullet of the weekend, with “The Blesso Boys” Sam and Josh 2nd,and Sean Craig and Stephen Boyle 3rd.

There was multiple breakages and repairs to be done inbetween race 2 and 3, with Alan Blay having to replace a main halyard, making it out for the 3rd race, Ross and Daniel needed to replace their Jib Sheets, and the small matter of a new rudder for Sam and David. Race 3 definitely felt less crowded on the start line with a few more falling victim to the conditions and at least one more hole carved out of a hull. Wind back up again for the final race of an exhausting but awesome day. Sam and David had mastered the art of shutting off all pain receptors to work Lil Yachty, and the borrowed rudder, around the course and claim their second race win of the weekend with Sean and Stepen 2nd, and Alan Blay and Hugh McNally 3rd. After the sporty day we had had, it would have been very apt to rename the class Grand Prix 14.

Day 2 was a polar opposite with glass like conditions on the lough. It was becoming increasingly likely there would be no racing on the Saturday. An AP was sounded ashore and so the great wait began. Everybody walking around, ‘inspecting’ each other's boats and remarking over what fitout is better, and certain bluffers describing in great detail about which way to go up the course should the breeze fill in. I promise I am not talking about myself ?. As forecasted the breeze did fill in and our super RO got 2 brilliant races off on a day that looked likely to be tainted. Shockingly that previously mentioned bluffer could only manage a 10 and 11 in race 4 and 5 respectively. However further up the field there were some great battles with Ross taking race 4 and sailboat racing newcomer Ger Owens (who is that guy) with Mel Morris taking race 5.

Following the racing, after all boats were ashore, it was almost time for the Championship Dinner. After a few well deserved pints in the upstairs bar, the fleet started to flood into the dining room which was set up to the nines. A beautiful 3 course meal was closely followed by a mid event awards ceremony. Prizes included fancy new jib sheets and some mugs for some mugs. Special mention went out to Jennifer for all her hard work in organizing the event, and also a shout out to Meg Tyrell who after a long stint on the sidelines and in the commentary booth, hopped back in Ole Man Trouble, with Mr Trouble himself Curly Morris. Congratulations to both of you!!

Championship Sunday… Theres very little else like it! Especially when the top prize is still very much up for grabs, by not one, not two, but multiple boats looking to claim the coveted prize! Race 6  starting sequence underway…U Flag…. Queue Carnage at the Committee boat end with a certain NSC boat who shall remain nameless proving that if you wish for a gap hard enough, you still wont find one.. but you can manhandle yourself to the front of the line!! 

Thankfully for all affected we had a few other naughties and a general recall was declared. Black Flag time. Very shifty conditions all day meant you had to be sharp on your game up those first beats to ensure you were within a shout of placing. A fierce battle between Sean, Ross, Chris, and Diana all around the course was settled at the death with Sean claiming first, Diana in second, Ross 3rd.

Race 7 was the first gate start of the event, and Stormin Norman the pathfinder. Start early or late that was the choice. Honestly it was anyones bet which payed off better, but a clear start with a lane to accelerate was the aim. With some curious driving by the guard boat to navigate, the fleet took off up the first beat. Again, shifty conditions all race. Chris Bateman showed incredible speed to get away from the chasing pack of Ger Owens and Sam Watson which looked to be the finishing trio come the final windward mark only for that infamous Mr. Trouble to snatch 3rd at the last tack, and hold on to the finish line. A tough race for current leader Ross who had to settle for 12th. With the other hopeful contender, Sean and Steven, scoring an 11, youd want to whip out your calculators folks, this one was going down to the wire.

And so it was, the final race of the Championship. Would Ross hold on to his lead, or could Sean, or Chris, snatch it from under him. Race 8 underway from a gatestart with Keith Louden as Pathfinder. Sam Watson and Ger Owens started first, landed a big left shift, flopped over to port and were away to the races port tacking the fleet…..or so they thought. For when they looked back to cover back to the left, the whole fleet were sailing through them from an even bigger righty which allowed all the later starters who carried on to the left benefit. Sean and Steven clear out in front, Ross deep in the dregs, Chris somewhere in the middle fighting his way to the left. After rounding the top mark, Sean way out in front, Chris had managed to fight his way into a very promising position too. And I think I even saw a magic 8 Ball ploughing through the top 10. However that 8 Ball would read “decidedly not” as RO Sheila decided to abandon the race due to the large shifts. A decision which was as polarizing as wood or plastic.

After a long wait, we finally got the last race away, from a line start, to conclude the GP14 Championships of Ireland. Ross was not going to let this golden second chance slip, He pressed hard at the front of the fleet grabbing onto 1st and not letting go until the finish line. An incredible showing in the final two races from NSC Adam Torrens was topped off by a second place finish, followed by multiple time olympian Ger Owens who couldnt deal with Adams speed up the final beat. After a couple inch perfect tacks on the line, narrowly missing the S flag by, yes, inches, Sam Watson pipped Chris to take 4th.

An amazing weekend, incredible tight racing, even better hospitality that we so come to expect in this fleet. The spoils this time go to our new National Champion Ross Kearney and Daniel Nelson, with Chris and Olin Bateman in second, Sam Watson and David Johnston in 3rd. The silver fleet was taken by the Red Rocket from Sligo, David Evans and William Draper as well as the Junior Championship. 2nd and 3rd went to Sam Wray, and Michael Cox respectively. And in Bronze we had Adam Torrens taking 1st, followed by Jessica Greer, and Riaghan Boardman. The U22 Youth prize was picked up by Sam Street and Josh Lloyd after a very impressive regatta. And Diana Kissane claiming the Kissane Rose Bowl for 1st placed female helm.

As I mentioned before, the youth in this class are scary fast, and only going to get faster. Expect nailbiting championships for many years to come down the line. Congratulations to our new Champions Ross and Daniel, well sailed! Thank you to Newtownards and the Race Committee for putting on a top notch event and getting all 8 races in. Thank you to the GrandPrix14 Fleet for showing up in your numbers as you always do, and good luck to all heading over to the World Championships next month.