GP14 Ireland

2023 Ulster Championship

Notice of Race

Now Available Below

East Antrim Boat Club

May 20/21 2023

2023 O’Tiarnaigh Challenge

Blessington Sailing Club

Date: 22/23 April 2023.

Report by : Joseph Devitt

Challenging Times

The O’Tiarnaigh GP14 Challenge event was conceived almost 25 years ago with two goals. An open meeting with many short races rather than the normal 2 per day, and secondly to have many smaller flights containing a mix of Gold, Silver and Bronze sailors so that the less experienced sailors have many opportunities to be in the front row of the start line so as to have more opportunity to learn and improve their skills in a testing and highly competitive framework. Imagine motorcycle speedway without the engines, wheels or mud. The event has been staged every year since, save for covid, and draws sailors from all over Ireland.

This years running was particularly challenging, with an almost complete lack of wind and continual downpour on Saturday forcing the RO to cancel racing which meant that the whole event was to be run a single day. The forecast for Sunday was for light breezes but thankfully the rain had abated. Despite the poor forecast 28 teams were in attendance, a credit to the enthusiasm of the fleet and the marketing by the organising committee.

Choosing to run the event with a single flight due to time constraints and aiming to have as many races as possible the RO sent the fleet out on the waters of the Poulaphouca reservoir nestling in the western side of the Wicklow Mountains. With the requirement from the NOR that the first discard only coming to rescue a poor finishing position after 6 races were completed still in force and with the conditions that prevailed it very much looked like this would be a ‘no discard’ event.

Shifty and patchy were the dominating features of the wind making line and course setting tricky but after a short postponement the fleet got underway on a triangle/sausage course.

The first start looked quite pin biased, but slightly more pressure at the committee boat saw those boats establish a lead off the line. There was an element of ‘Russian Roulette’, albeit without the blood, about picking a side of the course and whereas the left looked more favorable at the early part of the leg a building breeze on the right was most influential on the fleet resulting in Rob Lee & Stephen Lynch from Greystones SC first to the weather mark closely followed by Alan Blay & Hugh McNally from Sutton Dinghy Club and Sutton ex-pat, Ruan O’Tiarnaigh with daughter Natasha who was sailing her first event with dad following her sisters move to crew for the very talented Jane Kearney formerly from the midlands area of UK, now based at Royal North. Close behind them were the veteran teams of Niall Henry & Oissin Geraghty from Sligo SC and brothers John & Donal McGuinness from Moville. In the light conditions, Ruan & Tasha established an inside overlap approaching the gybe mark to gain the lead and although the rest of the race was shifty, there was not much change in the leading group and the first race finished, Ruan & Tasha first, Alan & Hugh second, Rob & Stephen third, Nial & Oisin fourth and John & Donal fifth.

The silver fleet was led by Sam Street & Josh Lloyd, Blessington SC, Simon Cully & Libby Tierney also Blessington, and Cathal Sheridan & David Cooke, Skerries third.

Bronze fleet, Michael Collender & Brian Walker, Mullingar S.C, Denis Cully & Ollie Lloyd, Blessington and Max Cully & Tighe Wardell, Blessington third.

The second race saw former Olympian Curly Morris & Meg Tyrell (EABC/NSC) establish a commanding lead, coming from the left hand side of the course up the first beat, followed closely by Jane Kearney & Bekka O’Tiarnaigh from Royal North of Ireland YC. Ruan & Tasha, Keith & son Matteo Louden, Lough Foyle YC slightly ahead of Niall & Oisin. In the very light airs mistakes were aplenty and a poor gybe on the O’Tiarnaigh boat saw both Keith & Matteo and Nial & Oisin gain an advantage sailing higher and past. The second beat was dynamic with places gained and lost. Jane & Bekka were unfortunate to fall foul of a port and starboard and did turns. The run provided opportunity for another former Olympian and current Irish Champion of Champions team of Ger Owens & Mel Morris (daughter of the aforementioned Curly) to get back into the running making most use of the light airs. After a spirited battle on the final beat which saw a minor skirmish and tacking frenzy between Ger & Mel, Niall & Oisin and Ruan & Tasha which although frenetic was ultimately inconsequential as no places changed, the outcome was Curly and Meg chalking up a first, Keith and Matteo second, Ger and Mel third, Niall & Oisin, fourth Ruan & Tasha fifth.

Silver, and once again Sam & Josh first, Cathal & David second and Simon & Libby third

Bronze, Max and Tighe, Frankie Brown & David Lappin Skerries Sailing Club, Michael & Brian third.

Race three was once again tricky with variable breeze on the beat, but dying towards the gybe mark. The lead boats which included Ger and Mel, Ross Kearney & Daniel Nelson, RNIYC, Daniel having joined Ross after Andrew Vaughan’s departure after the worlds last year, Paddy O’Connor & Adiran Lee (Sligo/Youghal). However the weather gods were playing dice and some ‘ultra light’ expertise from JP & Carolyn McCaldin, Lough Erne YC. & Sutton’s Katie Dwyer & Michelle Rowley saw them sneak over the top of a group of boats to get in to the front of the fleet for the finish at the leward mark. With Ger & Mel first, JP & Carolyn second, Ross and Daniel third, Katie and Michelle fourth and Paddy & Adrian fifth.

Silver, Simon & Libby, Sam & Josh, Cathal & David.

Bronze, Denis & Ollie, Max & Tighe and Jennifer Bryce & Cormac Murphy, Newtownards Sailing Club third.

At this stage, and with no discard in sight the scores were: Ger & Mel, 7, 3, 1 Tot: 11, Ruan & Tasha, 1, 5, 6 Tot: 12, Ross and Daniel, 6, 8, 3 Tot 17 Niall and Oisin 4, 4, 12 Tot: 20. One mistake could prove very costly indeed.

In what turned out to be the last race of the day the weather once again proved to play its own role. Once again the leaders came from the left hand side with age and experience showing its class seeing Curly & Meg first to round followed by Coleman Grimes & Ross Gingles, Skerries SC and Ross & Daniel in close quarters, the following group included event contenders Niall & Oisin, Ger & Mel and Ruan & Tash. The second offwind leg was to prove key to the race and the event with the RO shortening the course at the leward mark. Ross & Daniel went high, Curly & Meg low but it was the middle lane which proved successful for Coleman & Ross who pipped Curly for the race win. The event overall was still in contention and half way down the reach it looked like Ruan & Tasha might pull the event out of the bag when they rolled Ger & Mel to leave them equal on points. Another place was needed between them as Ger & Mel had better count back, but it was not to be. The fickle zephyrs of Blessington quashed their hopes when light airs filled in from both above and below. Ger & Mel, though forced to go low, came out smelling of roses with a dart across the line in third, Keith & Matteo 4^th, Ross & Daniel 5^th, Ruan & Tasha dropping to 8^th and Niall & Oisin hopes dashed entirely with a 15^th.

Silver, Sam & Josh, Simon & Libby and Cathal & David third.

Bronze, Michael & Brian, Jennifer & Cormac and Denis & Ollie third

The fleet repaired to the shore where well earned and much appreciated hot pizza awaited. When the scores were counted, Ger & Mel were clear winners on 14pts, Ruan & Tasha second on 20pts, Ross & Daniel third on 22 pts and Curly & Meg 4^th on 29pts.

Thanks were given to Blessington Sailing club and its members for such a warm welcome and to Commodore Richard Street RO, Joe Crilly DRO, Tom Duggan ARO and Alannah Maguire keeping them all in check on the comedy vessel which it was noted with some poignancy was named in memory of a former and much loved Blessington GP14 sailor Peter Hannon.

Looking ahead, the GP14 season is chock full with events across the country. Next is the Ulsters in Larne, followed by trips to Tralee Bay, The Volvo at Dunlaoghaire, Rush Sailing Club, Sutton for the Championship of Ireland and finally the Hot Toddy at Royal North.

If this event was anything to go by the GP14 fleet in Ireland is in rude health. Boats travelled from all parts of the country including Dathi & Arann Murphy from Tralee Bay and teams from Moville, EABC, Donaghadee, Youghal, Lough Erne, Lough Foyle, Sligo, Greystones, Sutton, Royal North, Newtownards and Ballyholme. Also noted are the number of youth teams particularly from Blessington as well as the many new young crews ensuring the future of the class. With the age range of 14 to 79 and a great mix of male and female teams the GP14 fleet in Ireland is certainly thriving. The craic is pretty good too. Long may it continue. The last word should go to Anthony Johns and James Lloyd of Blessington who notched up an impressive 100pts but despite that were battling hard to the end. Keep it up lads and remember adversity makes you tougher. See you in a few weeks in Sunny Larne, May 20/21.

GP14 Ireland

2023 O'Tiarnaigh Challenge

Notice of Race

Now Available Below

Blessington Sailing Club

April 22/23 2023

February 28th 8pm

EGM

via Members Zoom

The motion to adopt a Constitution for The GP14 Class Association of Ireland was carried unanimously last night.

Thank you to all those who attended and who contributed and reviewed various drafts over the last few months.

The Constitution document can be viewed under the Contact Us drop down on website home screen.

GP14 Munster Championship in Cullaun, Co. Clare

Additional insights from Norman Lee

I have to believe that everyone committed going to the Munsters in Callaun in November was expecting to be blown off the water in fierce gale gusts and sleet after our taster last year not to mention frost bitten fingers, toes & noses. But instead, it turned out be possibly the most civilised weather event of 2022 as promised by the world renowned Cullaun News in the weeks prior.

Having been warmly welcomed by club members on Friday night it was very obvious that huge amounts of work had gone into making room for us, it was also lovely to a flotilla of swans floating asleep with their heads under wings at first light on Saturday with clear blue skies and gentle zephyrs on the lake surface.

That’s how Saturday continued with both crew on the side-decks at times as it was much more about finding the pressure and luffing on the lifts or tacking on the headers than physical powers that ruled the ripples. This made racing very tactical and interesting for all levels as bronze, silver, youths and OAPs mixed it up all around the course throwing up some great moments and results for everyone.

Having remarked about the big starboard biases in Cullaun last year, I was again floored by the big biases in all 4 races on Saturday, this time to port end. However, the puzzle of the beat shifts gave even late starters opportunities to climb back, and no one handled the starts and shifts better than Coleman and John who recorded 4 firsts but eventually lost one to OCS.

Enjoying the shifts, Alan & I managed some good results through huge concentration of shifts and pressure chasing on beats and sail trimming offwind, to be hard chased by Rob & Steven, Steven & Daniel, Conor & Adam, Sam & Josh, Ger & Hugh who all recorded at least a top 4. Youth and bronze were really mixing it with Gold & Old.

All came ashore looking happy and sun burned thinking it didn’t really matter if a hurricane arrived overnight. Good food and craic in a local pub while Ireland beat the World Champions South Africa helped the good feelings.

On Sunday although the sun didn’t appear often, the wind having shifted a bit south which gave us an interesting reach through reed patches, only ever squalled to above force 4 momentarily twice I think. The OD having sussed the settings we got 2 more great shifty races leaving most of us very happy there wasn’t a third race thanks to a big cloud darkening the water and 20+ knots squall hastened the second half of the fleet to the line.

It was a case of pass the batton (or tiller) weekend or perhaps a “move over dad” weekend as Coleman who first appeared on the GP circuit crewing for his dad was greeted by his dad as he came ashore. There were also a lot of threes (3s).

• 3 firsts for Coleman and John

• 3 GSC boats in the top 5

• 3 youth helms in the top 7

• 3 thirds for Steven and Daniel

• 3 sons ahead of the dads

• 3 lady helms

• 3 lovely sunsets

• 3 sleeping swans

GP14 Munster Championship in Cullaun, Co. Clare

Report by Alan Leddy & Des McMahon

19 boats of from all over Ireland gathered at Cullaun Co. Clare over the weekend of 5-6th Novemberfor, for the last event of the busy year that was 2022 with the GP14 Munster Championship at stake.  A super turn out of crews from all generations and family combinations from Cullaun, Skerries, Sutton, Tralee, Newtownards, Sligo, Greystones, and Blessington. Unlike last year’s Baltic weather at similar event in late autumn, the weather this time was very pleasant, warm, and mild, so much so that there were no reported capsizes or troublesome abandonments.

First race start involved a general recall which put manners on everyone and was won by Skerries Coleman Grimes/John Chambers (back to GP14 sailing after a long sabbatical) closely followed by Greystones Norman Lee and Alan Leddy with Steven and Daniel Nelson from Newtownards grabbing third. 
While line honours went to Grimes and Chambers for the second race, there was a reported OCS (although pen-rumours later mentioned experimental use of foils), the second race went to the Lee-Alan pairing with Conor Galligan (new to GP14 fleet) and Adam Leddy youths snatching 2nd from Rob Lee and Steven Lynch in their new boats.

In very shifty conditions, by sometimes over 40 degrees in gusts, and with an infinite number of tacks needed per windward leg the third race went to the Grimes and Chambers team by a country mile with second place going to a resurgent Rob Lee and Steven Lynch followed by Steven and Daniel Nelson just pipping the Galligan and Leddy youth boat.

In mild conditions on the Saturday before a forecasted blow out for Sunday, the race officers ran an extra 4th race which again went to the Colman and John team with second bell going to Steven and Daniel Nelson beating Rob Lee/Steven Lynch into third. 
Overnight the Grimes/Chambers boat was ahead of Norman Lee/Alan Leddy on joint 2nd with the Nelson father & son pairing and Rob Lee/Steven Lynch squads. Discussions in the winners’ enclosures back in Gallaghers bar after dinner focused on potential inappropriate but innovative use of foils. This most certainly had something to do with the return of John Chambers to the fleet!

Fortunately, the impending bad weather held off just long enough for the race officer to run 2 snappy races on Sunday morning with a nice long square line. There was some carnage at the first windward mark with port tacking approaches by the Grimes/Chambers and Norman Lee/Alan Leddy  boats being shut out by the long line of conservative starboard tackers. After a quiet first day Katie Dwyer/Laura Fitzpatrick then led for the first time before a rounding incident meant turns and the pair dropping back out of contention.

This allowed the Rob Lee/Steven Lynch  crew to take the first race by a massive lead ahead of Grimes/Chambers  in 2nd with Steven and Daniel Nelson grabbing 3rd just ahead of the emerging talents of the Sam Street and Josh Lloyd youth combination from Blessington.
The last race of the event in light conditions before a downpour was a tight shoot-out between the Grimes/Chambers boat versus the Norman Lee/Alan Leddy combination all the way to the finish line with the Greystones seniors just holdoff to snatch the win. A very strong 3rd place was snatched by the leading female boat of Katie Dwyer/Laura Fitzpatrick from Sutton.

There were some great family rivalries throughout the event with family members competing across all fleets. Rob Lee showed his old man how to do it in the gold fleet with Sam Street in the silver and Denis Cully and Daithi and Aaron Murphy in the bronze, doing the same. 
Denis Cully set the Bronze fleet pace with Ossian Geraghty crewing for him by running away with the first place. Max Cully/Tadgh Wardell started the event tied with Des and Pat (Cullaun) and Jennifer and Lara (Newtownards) for second overall for the season Bronze League but there was no stopping them and they held on to second in the bronze fleet with relative ease and much singing (although their rendition of never going to give you up may have been a tactical manoeuvre to scare others away from them). This secured them a second place for the season also.

There was some great competition between Galligan/Leddy and Street/Lloyd for silver fleet honours but the boys in their new boat held on (obviously the thought of a coveted special fifth place overall prize spurred them on). 

Special thanks for the tremendous hospitality to all Cullaun members, families and friends for the accommodation, food, chauffeuring, security, rescue and of course our race officers David Vinnell and Aoife Lyons

Overall, the results from a terrific, competitive, friendly and entertaining event of tight races are:
Gold
    1. Colman Grimes & John Chambers (Skerries)
    2. Robert Lee & Stephen Lynch (Greystones)
    3. Norman Lee & Alan Leddy (Greystones)
Silver
    1. Conor Galligan & Adam Leddy (Greystones)
    2. Sam Street & Josh Lloyd (Blessington)
    3. Simon Cully & Libby Tierney (Blessington)
Bronze
    1. Denis Cully & Oisin Geraghty (Blessington)
    2. Max Cully & Tadgh Wardell (Blessington)
    3. Des McMahon & Pat Biesty (Cullaun)
Leading Youth
    1. Conor Galligan & Adam Leddy (Greystones)

Hot Toddy & Youth Championships

Newtownards Sailing Club, Oct 15/16 

Reports Ger Owens (Hot Toddy) & Ross Kearney (Youth Championship)

Hot Toddy - Newtonards was the venue for our annual Hot Toddy event. Last years event at East Antrim was barely sailable yet despite the weekends forecast, 32 boats arrived at Newtownards for the Hot Toddy for what was going to be a hotly contested event. With the Worlds earlier in the year, our event calendar had seen some alterations with our traditional end of year event the Hot Toddy now coupled with the Youth Championship, so everyone was in good spirits (ehhh hot toddy!!). The format would be 2 Hot Toddy races followed by 2 Youth races on Saturday with the order switched on Sunday.  
When we arrived to rig we were greeted with calmer conditions than the forecast but the apprehension on shore was palpable. I was approached to provde my  opinion in relation to the weather and our prospects for getting racing, I gladly said we shouldn’t race. Sam Lyness our race officer listened intently and decided a prompt start was in order, we launched and very quickly it was apparent the wind was building.
Race 1 saw Shane motor away relishing the conditions closely contested by Ross. I struggle to recall the exact placings as I mixed up the starting flags and was late for the start by aprox 1 minute if my timing was correct, I watched from a distance and admired Paddy O Connor taking third beaming from ear to ear only to be out grinned by Simon Cully & Richard Street in fourth. Back in the chasing pack we had a great ding dong with Hugh Gill who gave no quarter. We were very happy to have climbed back up to 7th. Race 2 was quickly underway, but we were wise to this wiley race officers tricks and stayed close to the committee to get the gun. 
It made little to no difference, we had decided the annual ferocious blow that is the Hot Toddy was getting too much for us, the gun went, and we headed for home. Ironically the race was shortened, and the leaders were almost home before us, not before Shane and Josh had won their second race and our sparring partner from race 1 Hugh and Dan in second. BY this time the PRO had already decided that there would be no Youth racing that afternoon. With the wind now gusting to 30kts, the the dwindling fleet was struggling to make it round even the shortest of race courses, but those that managed to were rewarded with a hot toddy once back on shore. There was a team of volunteers catching boats and helping us land safely which was no mean feet with the heavy winds and big waves. A big shout out to those Youth who had also raced in the senior Hot Toddy races. For many it was conditions they certainly hadnt encountered and most wore grins from ear to ear.   
Dinner was at the Club that evening and with a better weather forecast for the following day, the days racing didnt seem so tough especially with a glass of the Hot Toddy.
Sunday morning dawned and we were to head to Newtonards right after Eva’s (Mels 5yr old daughter) 50th park run. Once in Newtonards we stayed on shore chatting amongst ourselves. Slowly we made our way out for the start of race 3 not before seeing Bobby Driscol and Sam Street in a tacking duel up the last beat of the youths. A big cheer went up before the finish line when expert crew Ross Kearney took a tumble out of the boat in a particularly aggressive roll tack. Bobby recovered and managed to clinch the victory. 
Basking in the fact that several of the fleet had sailed 2 races while I slept gave me a warm feeling for the days racing. The full tank and the lighter conditions was a tremendous relief and we managed to get near the front, Shane had to do a spin at the weather mark which would have slowed anyone else. Peter and Stephen we holding on to a tight lead with ourselves and Ross in hot pursuit!!! (Hot Toddy!!!). Peter stretched his lead and his leverage on the fleet which opened a very small window for yours truly to close the gap, Peter managed for a long while two close boats and the rest of the fleet around what was to be a large racecourse. Peter found himself isolated on the right of the racecourse which gave 2 and 3 the opportunity to slip through. A brilliant tight race that saw Shane climb back to fifth. 
Ross and Shane were neck and neck with 7 points each heading into the final race. Boats that could extricate themselves successfully from the strong pin end bias found themselves front runners at the weather mark. Keith was the standout performance and was revelling in the dying breeze. Shane secured the title of Hot Toddy champion with a second place.
Newtonards were amazing hosts putting on an amazing spread and a fantastic team of wonderful volunteers. Event organiser Lara Sunday kept the energy up through out the week in the lead up to the event and over the weekend.

Youth Championship - The GP14 youths looked set to be a great event, running alongside the Hot Toddy which still attracted an excellent turnout for the time of year.

The weather forecast potentially put a few off with Saturday looking like a blow out. 16 youths turned up to challenge for the title of Youth champion, great to see many new faces trying out the GP for the first time. Unfortunately the wether experts were right and PRO Sam Lyness made the decision to cancel the Saturday racing for the youth sailors, a sensible decision as the wind got up to 30kts at the end of the 2nd race and 35kts when coming ashore. 

Sunday morning dawned, 10kts and a flat sea was a very welcome sight for all of the sailors. The Youths Championships, now reduced to a 2 race event set off in lovely conditions. First out of the blocks were GP14 youth stalwarts Peter Boyle sailing with dad Stephen. Mark Greer & Adrian Lee, Jessica Greer & John Greer, David (U16) & Jon Evans all hot on their heels around the windward mark. At the first gybe mark, the top boats were all bunched together leaving a gap for the chasing pack to sneak into. 

Bobby Driscoll & Ross Kearney managed to get inside and sail into 2nd place after chasing down Mark & Adrian. After plenty of place changing, and many close battles throughout, Mark& Adrian took the win followed by Bobby & Ross, Sam Street & Josh Lloyd recovering well for 3rd, Peter& Stephen 4th and Jessica & John in 5th.

Race 2 got away shortly after, the wind starting to drop to 6-7kts. The fleet were battling for every inch, with excellent boat handling on show. Bobby & Ross led the fleet followed closely by Sam & Josh. Following very tight cover tacks, and a nail biting finish, Bobby & Ross managed to just pip the ever impressive Sam & Josh to the Dobson, despite Ross deciding to roll backwards following a final roll tack for the finish line. (Those helms really do need to practise the art of crewing). In 3rd place was Ollie Lloyd sailing with Dan Gill, with the Boyles in 4th and Jessica and John Greer in 5th.

This gave the Youth title to a very impressive Bobby Driscoll from RNIYC, a runner up at the recent Topper worlds in Garda. Bobby not only winning the overall trophy but doing so at 16 years of age. Sam Street and Josh Lloyd were a close 2nd, followed by the Peter Boyle in 3rd.

2nd in the U19 was Jessica Greer with David Evans the U16 runner up who by the way also helmed the 4 Hot Toddy races and won the Bronze fleet. With switch over to the seniors for the final Hot Toddy races, it was great to see so many of the youths taking a turn at the back of the boat to gain excellent experience for future years sailing in the larger fleet.

GP14 Ireland

2022 Hot Toddy & Youth Championships

Notice of Race

Now Available Below

Newtownards Sailing Club

October 15/16 2022

Irish Sailing Champions Cup

Sutton Dinghy Club, Oct 8th 

Report Andy Johnston

The 2022 Champions Cup took place at Sutton Dinghy Club at the weekend. The 75^th anniversary of Irish Sailings most prestigious and longest running events. Much has been written and spoken of what was formerly the Helmsmans Championship in the last few weeks but for the GP14 Class in Ireland it was an honor to be asked to run the event in our boats in conjunction with Sutton Dinghy Club. The Club itself has a strong connection to the event and with a strong GP14 fleet the pressure was on to ensure a great event. The GP14 representative was our National Champion Shane MacCarthy with Ger Owens also selected as the holder of the event. With a superb season of top finishes in both the GP14 Worlds and the GP14 National Championship, Jane Kearney received a Female wildcard entry.

Former Class President Stephen Boyle organized a very strong fleet of 10 borrowed GP14’s and with help and support of Andy Davis in HD Sails the fleet were all dressed in brand new Genoas for the event. With 16 helms selected, 2 flights of 8 were prepared with 2 spare boats available in the event of gear failure of damage. The boats were gathered in Sutton the week prior to the event and duly rigged, checked and fitted out with new sails ready for practice on Friday. However the wind gods looked to intervene and with winds gusting up to 27kts all day practice was canceled. The broader forecast also started to cast doubt on ability to run the event over the 2 scheduled days. While Saturday was set fair for a south south west 12 to 15 kts, Sunday looked decidedly dodgy with all the forecasts showing 20kts gusting upto 30kts right through to early afternoon.

With tide a key consideration in Sutton, the PRO for the event Michael Conway and his team of Jim Lambkin, Stephen Boyle and Emmet Dalton gathered on Friday afternoon with a view to figuring out how to ensure an event could be garnered from possibly a single days racing. By early Friday evening and after liaising with Met Eireann the call was made to focus on completing the event on Saturday. Despite ditching the repechage element, the race management team still set themselves the goal of getting up to 10 races completed. This would include slick launch and recovery as well as quick turnaround of races and boat exchanges between flights. No easy feat considering the tidal window. But with support from Jim Lambkin, Scorie Walls and Gordan Kelly Michael was confident of getting the event concluded.

Saturday dawned, and following an early registration and briefing, the boat draw for Flight 1 & Flight 2 were made. Flight 1 included former GP14 World Champion Shane MacCarthy, Barry McCartin (Fireballs), former Champion Michael O’Connor (SB20), Darragh Sheridan (RS Aero), former Champion and Olympian Peter Kennedy (Flying Fifteen), Olympic campaigner Aoife Hopkins (ILCA6), Jocelyn Hill (RS200) and Rob Espey (RS400). Flight 2 comprised of holder and 3 time Olympic Campaigner Ger Owens, Cameron Good (Dragons), Jane Kearney (GP14), David Dickson (Shannon One Design), John O’Driscoll (Water Wag), Ian Travers (Squibs), Tadgh O’Loinsigh (J24) and Niamh Henry (Team Racing). Flight 1 certainly looked tough draw considering the presence of former Champions, Olympians and World Championship podium placers.

The 3 races were completed in Flight 1 with very close and tight racing with no obvious boat bias. With an average race times of 30min, the PRO team were confident of getting through the schedule which would hopefully see 4 races in the final. An OCS was not the start that Shane MacCarthy was looking for in Race 1 but he recovered with a 1st and 2^nd to give himself a chance to make the final. With no discard his progression would be down to results throughout the Flight. Darragh Sheridan with Dan Gill crewing posted 3 consistent results to lead the flight after 3 races. However a couple of incidents that saw on the water penalties applied saw Barry McCartin and Rob Espey seal the top 3 spots with Shane MacCarthy taking 4^th just squeezing out Peter Kennedy.

Flight 2 again saw tight starts and close and even racing through the fleet. The wind had started to drop a little and Ger Owens began to show his boat handling and experience and took 3 bullets to take him easily through to the final. Behind him the battle for the final 3 final slots was fierce with Niamh Henry using her boat handling and team racing skills to work her way into 2^nd. A battling 2^nd place in the final race was enough to ensure Jane Kearney made it to the final with John O’Driscoll completing the finalists.

With on the water boat allocation and switching complete, the PRO attempted to get the final underway. However some adjustments on a couple of rigs saw a short delay with the first of 4 races finally getting underway shortly before 3pm.

And what a final we were treated to. 4 clean and tight starts saw most of the finalists in the top 3 at some stage over the first 2 legs of each race with rarely more than a couple of boat lengths between 1^st and 8^th. Shane MacCarthy took the first 2 races legs after close battles with Ger Owens but thereafter the face of the final started to change. While Shane MacCarthy, Barry McCartin and Ger Owens had all shown incredible speed upwind, both Jane Kearney and Rob Espey started to finds the gears downwind and exert an influence on where thew title would go. In Race 3 Ger and Shane battled it out up front till the last downwind leg where both Jane Kearney and Barry McCartin managed to squeeze between Ger and Shane, leaving a one point differnec between the pair.

The 4^th race saw another close and tight start with Barry McCartin and Shane MacCarthy looking good up the first beat. On the downwind Rob Espey picked up the stronger breeze first and worked his way into the lead. With Jane Kearney and Barry McCartin now also find great speed and looking to try and secure a podium, Shane looked to be covering Ger when a port starboard incident resulted in penalty turns. This now left Ger in the driving seat and he successfully secured the title with a 4^th place finish. Up ahead Rob Espey continued to lead the race with Jane Kearney battling Barry McCartin for the result they both felt would get them on the podium. Jane Kearney managed to squeeze past Barry McCartin around the last leeward mark and clock up a second 2^nd place finish. However 2^nd place overall was still not decided. The incident pushed Shane MacCarthy to the back of the fleet and his chance of the title had disappeared. However he was not finished and quickly recovered a spot. If he could recover one more spot he would still have a chance to take 2^nd overall. Despite a late surge he could not get past Darragh Sheridan which meant Jane Jearney had taken 2^nd overall by a point from Shane MacCarthy in 3^rd. Barry McCartin after a superb event was a further point back in 4^th.

With the time now almost 5pm and tide well out now, walking and pulling the GP14s up the Creek and across the sand bar was the order of the day. Not before Ger & Mel were cheered and photographed on the water by David Brannigan in the Oceansport Press Boat off the Martello Tower at the entrance to Sutton Creek. A great days sailing had ended late but the PRO team had managed to complete the full schedule. The tired fleet retired to Sutton Dinghy Club for a quick change and more photographs before dinner and prize-giving in the Marine Hotel.

Marking the occasion of the 75^th anniversary, Irish Sailings CEO Harry Herman recounted the beginnings of this iconic event and welcomed a number of past Champions including David Gay (1975), Robert Dix (1970), Chris Arrowsmith (1979), Anthony O’Leary ( 2014 & 2015), Gerry Sargent (1962), Tom Fitzpatrick (1994, 1997, 1998 & 2004), Alex Barry (2016), Laura Dillon (1996) and Mark Mansfielfd (1990 & 1999).

Commodore Ciara O’Tiarnaigh on behalf of Sutton Dinghy Club thanked Irish Sailing for the opportunity to host the event for which the Club had a long and successful association. Ciara also welcomed the past Champions and thanked all the Club volunteers who helped make the event such a huge success.

Irish Sailings Harry Herman went on to praise the GP14 Class and particularly the owners of the boats used. He thanked them for their support and commitment to the event. He commented on the quality of boats made available and recognizing that lending boats was difficult, asked other fleets to consider making the effort to ensure continuation of this wonderful and unique event.

Ger Owens with Mel Morris accepted the silver salvers from Harry Herman. Despite having won the event a number of times, it was clear this was a special occasion for Ger. Winning the event with Mel, his regular crew for over 20 years, in a GP14 and on the 75^th anniversary. It couldn't get any better, could it? He vowed to be back to defend his title and attempt to go for 3 in a row which has previously only been accomplished by Nin O’Leary. Another victory would also see him join Tom Fitzpatrick as only the 2^nd sailor to win it 4 times. That says to me Ger Owens will be back with real intent.

The GP14 Ireland fleet moves next week to Newtownards Sailing Club for the Hot Toddy & Youth Championship. The word is that Ger, Shane and Jane will all be present. We expect a good fleet in this the penultimate event of what has been an tremendous season for the GP14 fleet in Ireland. Our final event sees us move to Cullaun in November in what is fast becoming one of the stand-out favorites of the fleet.

GP14 Leinsters

Mullingar Sailing Club, Sep 17/18

Report Andy Johnston

With the GP14 World Championships less than a month behind us, many of the Irish sailors would be forgiven for taking their foot off the gas. But with the arrival of autumn, the GP14 Ireland fleet moved to Mullingar Sailing Club and Lough Owel last weekend for their Leinster Championships. And while not en-masse, a turnout of 35 boats is not to sneezed at. The event did see plenty of changed crew line ups with also the return of some past regulars. Great to see at this end of the season.

Last year's winners Ger Owens & Mel Morris were here having missed a couple of events this season but surely wouldn't have it all their own way with a stellar fleet that included 3 Olympians and the top Irish helms from the recent GP14 and Fireball World Championships.

Curly Morris and Ger Owens were joined on the start line by 2021 Olympian Rob Dickson. Its was a bit of a bus-mans holiday away from the busy 49er circuit for Rob who was catching up with his buddies and GP14 regulars Conor Twohig & Matthew Cotter. The GP14 is not wholly unfamiliar, as Rob has done a number of GP14 events in the last couple of years.

With next months Irish Sailing Champions Cup in Sutton Dinghy Club being sailed in GP14, 2 of the GP14 Classes representatives were hoping to get much needed time on the water. Ger Owens and Jane Kearney will be joined next month by Shane MacCarthy in what is the 75th Anniversary of the event.

Colman Grimes who finished 5th at the recent GP14 Worlds in Skerries is joined by another star Worlds performer in Barry McCartin & Conor Kinsella who finished on the podium at the Lough Derg Fireball Worlds last month. Barry is a nominee for the Champions Cup so having never sailed a GP14, the Mullingar event is a chance to get some time on the water.

The forecast was for very light conditions and particularly on the Saturday so PRO Jim Lambkin had the fleet on the water promptly with expectations that the best chance for racing was early in the day and getting 35 boats to the race course was in itself a challenge.

Race 1 got underway in 5-6knotss, the fleet away cleanly. The first leg saw a number of boats including Jane Kearney, Niall Henry, local Alan Pinder & Ross Kearney all crossing closely on the first beat, but it was Blessingtons Simon Cully & Libby Tierney who were first to weather mark. A massive shout could be heard, the pair delighting in the feat but then showed great skill and patience in continuing to lead through the triangle and sausage and with a shortened course held off Ger Owens & Mel Morris to take their first ever race win. The celebration was epic with the famous Lough Owel trout joined by the Blessington helm.

Race 2 saw an initial abandonment when a big windshift caused a surge on the line with 10seconds to go. Our PRO had the fleet back in sequence in very quick time and the race finally underway with Niall Henry & Ossian Geraghty showing early ahead of Ross KearneKearney & Katie Dwyer. With the wind gone very light again, the PRO shortened the courses after the sausage, however an OCS meant Ross & Katie get the gun with John & Donal McGuinness taking 2^nd ahead of Colman Grimes & Samuel Wray. At that stage it certainly looked like no more racing for the day.

Patience is a virtue and having moved the Committee boat a little further down the lake, the PRO had the fleet under starter orders for Race 3. With the wind very light now but still holding direction, the fleet were away first time. Up the first beat, and its like buses..none for hours and then 2 together. Simon Cully & Libby Tierney with blue spinnaker lead at the weather mark again. Closely followed by son Max Cully & Tighe Wardell with Barry McCartin & Conor Kinsella 3rd, Owens & Morris 4th, Jane Kearney & Rebekkah O’Tiarnaigh 5^th and Kearney & O’Dwyer 6th. Down to the leeward mark Blessingtons father and son swap places a number of times with Max Cully retaking lead at next weather mark and holds it to the end of the sausage ahead of Kearney & O'Tiarnaigh, Kearney & Dwyer and McCartin & Kinsella. 

Cully & Wardell, the GP14 nominees for the Junior Champions Cup in Schull this weekend, enjoyed the moment, the youngsters singing down the leg. However, on the short beat to shortened finish experience and some neat tacking in a diminishing breeze sees Kearney & Dwyer take the gun just, from Kearney & O’Tiarnaigh with McCartin & Kinsella squeezing out our long time leaders young Max Cully & Tighe Wardell. Great effort from the young guys.

Day 2 dawned with a little more breeze and a different look to the leader board with Cully & Tierney separating Kearney & Dwyer and Owens & Morris with Kearney & O’Tiarnaigh and McCartin & Kinsella making up the top 5.

Race 4 got underway promptly in about 8 knots breeze. Owens & Morris lead at the end of the sausage with McCartin & Kinsella and Dan Gill & Mark Bolger a good 10 boat lengths behind. By the finish of the second triangle, Owens & Morris had opened a massive lead. However, big changes were taking place behind with now Kearney & Dwyer up to 2^nd ahead of Kearney & O'Tiarnaigh 3^rd with Gill & Bolger head to head with Keith & Matteo Louden for 4th with the former just getting there.

Race 5 saw a general recall with PRO resisting the temptation to go to the Black flag but getting them away quickly as he sought to ensure 6 races. By the bottom of the first triangle Colman Grimes & Sam Wray lead Gill & Bolger, Owens & Morris and Paddy O’Connor & Adrian Lee. Having gone out right Curly Morris & Meg Tyrrell make big gains and are up to 5th. By the end of the sausage Owens & Morris have taken the lead from Grimes & Wray with Alistair Duffin & Steven Nelson up to 3^rd and Gill & Bolger 4^th ahead of Niall Henry & Ossian Geraghty and Morris & Tyrrell. A broken tiller sees O’Connor & Lee drop to 6^th. With wind holding steady PRO opts to let the race run its course and on the final downwind leg a Kearney & Dwyer and McCartin & Kinsella make some moves to recover ground. Owens & O’Dwyer take the gun followed by Grimes & Wray with Kearney & Dwyer 3^rd to keep the event in the balance till the last race. McCartin & Kinsell show they are getting to grips with the GP14 take 4^th on the nod from the father and son Louden pairing.

Race 6 got underway under Black Flag after the 2nd General Recall of the day. That late push in Race 5 by Kearney & Dwyer meant the Championship was still on the line with the pressure on Owens & Morris to beat them by more than 4 places. The wind is down to 6 knots as Owens & Morris lead around the weather mark now looking for a hat-trick of wins for the day and to heap the pressure back on Kearney & Dwyer. Adding to the pressure were O’Connor & Lee with repaired tiller now a clear second ahead of Henry & Geraghty with Grimes & Wray and Duffin & Nelson also ahead of Kearney & Dwyer. The PRO lets the fleet complete the set course with Owens & Morris taking their 3^rd gun of the day. All eyes were now behind to see if Kearney & Dwyer could make any inroads to the deficit. A recurrence of the tiller problem dropped O’Connor & Lee back to 6^th with Duffin & Nelson passing Grimes & Wray for 3^rd behind Henry & Geraghty. 5^th was the best Kearney & Dwyer could do and just not enough to take the title from the holders Ger Owens & Mel Morris.

A super event hosted by Mullingar Sailing Club under the stewardship of event coordinator and Club Commodore David Maxwell. A super dinner in the Annabrook Hotel was preceded by the Class first face to face AGM in a few years.

Outgoing President and Mullingar club man Michael Collender thanked the sailors and his Committee for their support throughout his tenure and particularly in this a GP14 World Championship year which had been such a success. Michael also extended best wishes to Ger Owens, Jane Kearney, Shane MacCarthy and Max Cully who would be representing the GP14 Class in the re-badged Irish Sailing Champions Cup reflecting that the GP14 Class are honored to have been asked, in its 75^th anniversary year, to host the event, formerly known as the Helmsmans Championship. It will be held in Sutton Dinghy Club in early October and has been graced down the years by a number of GP14 winners including a couple who sailed in Mullingar this past weekend.

The prize-giving on Sunday saw Club Commodore David Maxwell & GP14 President Andy Johnton present prizes to Youth, Junior as well as Bronze, Silver and Gold fleet winners. Ger Owens in receiving the Leinster Championship trophy thanked everyone for traveling in such numbers and again demonstrating the appeal of the Class to both the young and the more experienced(!) who want close and competitive racing in a friendly fleet and looked forward to all catching up again later in October for our Hot Toddy & Youth Championships.

Gold

1. Ger Owens & Mel Morris (Royal St.George Yacht Club & East Antrim Boat Club)
2. Ross Kearney & Katie Dwyer (Royal North of Ireland YC & Sutton Dinghy Club)
3. Colman Grimes & Sam Wrays (Skerries Sailing Club & Sligo Yacht Club

Silver

Bronze

Youth Champion (U22)

GP14 Ireland

2022 Leinster Championship

Notice of Race

Mullingar Sailing Club

September 17/18 2022

2022 O'Tiarniagh Challenge

Pre-Worlds Event

Skerries Sailing Club

July 30 / 31

Something for the Weekend

2022 O'Tiarniagh Challenge

Pre-Worlds Event

Skerries Sailing Club

July 30 / 31

Notice of Race

Available Below

2022 O'Tiarniagh Challenge

Pre-Worlds Event

Skerries Sailing Club

July 30 / 31

Notice of Race

Available Below

Jimmie McKee

More than 50 years service to the GP14 Class in Ireland

Ridgeway 2022 Championship of Ireland

2022 GP14 Championship of Ireland

Notice of Race

Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club

July 2 / 3 2022

2022 Thomson NI Ulster Championship

Event Report - Ross Gingles

2022 Thomson NI Ulster Championship

2022

GP14 Ulster Championship

Notice of Race

&

Event Information Sheet

Lough Foyle Yacht Club

May 21st - 22nd 2022

2022 Spring Open Event Report

Sligo Yacht Club April 30  / May 1

2022 Spring Open

Day 2

2022 Spring Open

Day 1

2022 GP14 Spring Open

Notice of Race

(Event Information & Accomodation List)

Sligo Yacht Club

April 30th - May 1st 2022

Munster Championships Report

JP & Carolyn McCaldin

Munster Championship

Notice of Race & Sailing Instructions

Cullaun Sailing Club

November 6 & 7

Hot Toddy Report

Hugh Gill

Hot Toddy

Notice of Race

East Antrim Boat Club

Larne

October 23 && 24

O'Tiarnaigh Challenge

Final Results

Mullingar Sailing Club

September 24 & 25

O'Tiarnaigh Challenge

Day 1 Results

Mullingar Sailing Club

September 24 & 25

Autumn Open Report

Michelle Rowley

Youth Championships

Sam Street

O'Tiarnaigh Challenge

SI's available

Mullingar Sailing Club

September 24 & 25

Championship of Ireland

Final Day Report

Lough Erne Yacht Club

August 13 - 15

Championship of Ireland

Day 2 Update

Lough Erne Yacht Club

August 13 - 15

Championship of Ireland

Day 1 Update

Lough Erne Yacht Club

August 13 - 15

Championship of Ireland

Notice of Race

Lough Erne  Yacht Club

August 13, 14 & 15

Leinster Championships

Blessington Sailing Club

July 3 & 4

Leinster Championships

Notice of Race

Blessington Sailing Club

July 4 and 4

2021 Ulster Championship Report

Newtownards Sailing Club, June 19/20

2022 GP14 World Championships

Skerries Sailing Club

August 14 to 19

(as of April 2021)

Following a review by Skerries Sailing Club, in conjunction with our national and international stakeholders, we have decided that, in light of the current pandemic and with the consideration of the safety and welfare of all who would be involved, the postponed GP14 World Championships 2020 will be rescheduled to 14-19 August 2022. More details to follow.

Re-Arranged

2021 Leinster Championship

Blessington

July 3 & 4 2021

We're Off

NOR & Entry Now Open

Ulster Championships

Newtownards Sailing Club

June 19 - 20

Craftinsure Leagues

2021 Munster Championship

Cullaun Sailing Club

POSTPONED

till

November 6th / 7th 2021

   
The event organisers have a no. of early bird entry promotions that shold be of interest to the GP14 Fleet. 

If we can get 25 GP14 entries by 28^th February VDLR organisers will put up a €100 VDLR Hospitality voucher which may be redeemed against food and drink during VDLR.  The draw for this particular voucher will only be open to the GP14 Class.

NOTE: The VDLR organisers have confirmed that if the event does not go ahead due to Covid-19 restrictions ALL entry fees will be refunded. So please consider entering and avail of reduced entry fee and chance to win a voucher or some nice sailing gear.

In addition VDLR are running an early bird draw for (all fleets) entries received by end of February with the winner receiving a HH Performance Sailing bag. All GP14 entries will be in both draws.

Race Weekend: 2-4 July 2021

Early Bird Entry Fee for GP14 Class : €100

Online Entry : www.dlregatta.org

2020 AGM

January 20th 2021

Former GP14 Class President and National Champion Paul Rowan has passed away this weekend.

REMINDER

2020 AGM

(Will be held on Zoom)

January 20th 2021

8pm

Email GP14 news and notices to Andy on  info@gp14ireland.com to get them posted here

   
The event organisers have 3 early bird entry promotions that shold be of interest to the GP14 Fleet. 

If we can get 25 GP14 entries by 28^th February VDLR organisers will put up a €100 VDLR Hospitality voucher which may be redeemed against food and drink during VDLR.  The draw for this particular voucher will only be open to the GP14 Class.

NOTE: The VDLR organisers have confirmed that if the event does not go ahead due to Covid-19 restrictions ALL entry fees will be refunded. So please consider entering and avail of reduced entry fee and chance to win a voucher or some nice sailing gear.

In addition VDLR will be running 2 early bird draws for (all fleets) entries received by end January for a pair of Dubarry Performance Boots of your choice and for those received by end of February we will have a HH Performance Sailing bag. All GP14 entries will also be in the draw for these items as well.

Race Weekend: 2-4 July 2021

Early Bird Entry Fee for GP14 Class : €100

Online Entry : www.dlregatta.org