Cullaun Sailing Club - GP14 Munster Championships 6/7 November

19 hardy teams travelled to east Clare for the final event of the 2021 season. The event was originally scheduled for earlier in the season but fell foul to Covid-19 and was postponed.

Saturdays forecast did not look promising and after the battering in Larne two weekends before there were many nervous competitors in the dinghy park. The 1^st two races were held in shifty, gusty conditions with the wind maxing out in the high 20mps. Most teams who ventured out on the water took a swim at some stage, with several visits to the small islands and reed beds! Lough Erne YC husband and wife team Jp & Carolyn McCaldin stayed dry and won the 1^st two races from Colman Grimes / Meg Tyrell, Greystones SC and Alan Blay / Hugh McNally, Sutton DC respectively. Adrian Lee & Connor Flynn, Youghal SC took 3^rd in race 1 and then unfortunately had to retire with a broken boom. Katie Dwyer with guest crew Ger Owens, Sutton DC took 3^rd in race 2 despite a swim.

The wind slightly moderated for race 3. Despite having no spinnaker pole Hugh Gill & Peter Boyle, Sutton DC showed everyone a clean pair of heels to take the race win from Alan Blay / Hugh McNally & Katie Dwyer / Ger Owens.

The fleet retired tired and weary to Gallaghers bar in Kilkishen on Saturday evening where they were entertained by members of the local hurling club who were celebrating their win. Despite their best efforts they were unable to get a sing-a-long with Ger Owens or event organiser Des McMahon!!

Sunday was a different day with much lighter and even shiftier winds. Race 4 went to Katie Dwyer / Ger Owens, Katie’s 1^st race win at a GP event. Simon Cully / Libby Tierney, Blessington SC led round the 1^st mark and finished in 2^nd place, ahead of Richard Street / Lisa Flynn also from Blessington SC. After several efforts to start, race 5 finally got under way. Unfortunately Street / Flynns good luck from race 4 ran out and they were caught out by the black flag. Gill / Boyle won the race, pipping long time leaders Grimes / Tyrell on the line. Katie Dwyer / Ger Owens took 3^rd place.

With the McCaldins and Blay / McNally well down the pack the last race would be a fight out between the two Sutton DC teams. Despite leading at almost every mark Dwyer / Owens were very unlucky when the wind filled in from the opposite side of the course on the final leg and lost 3 places. Race 6 and the event was won by Alan Blay / Hugh McNally. 2^nd went to Adrian Lee / Conor Flynn and 3^rd to Norman Lee / Alan Leddy, Greystones SC, who both stormed through the pack on the final beat.

Sam & Matthew Street, Blessington SC, won the Silver fleet from club mates Simon Cully / Libby Tierney.

The Bronze fleet was won by Oisin Brown / Max Cully, again from Blessington SC.

Top marks to Blessington SC  for bringing so many entries to the event, it is fabulous to see such a good youth turnout.

Thank you to all at Culluan SC for a fabulous event, proving that it is possible to extend the season until November.

Available Below

East Antrim Boat Club - GP14 Hot Toddy 24/24 October

It was with trepidation that the GP14 fleet arrived in East Antrim YC for the Annual Hot Toddy event as the weather forecast was showing winds gusting to 30 plus knots for Saturday with some easing expected for Sunday. Saturday dawned and the forecast for a change was spot on, wind and lots of it. Richard Doig, Principal Race Officer for the event, obviously had great faith in GP14 sailors’ abilities and promptly set out his course and flew his flags. Some of the fleet decided discretion was the better part of valour and stayed ashore while some other launched, attempted to beat up the Lough towards the racecourse and promptly decided to return to shore. The remainder battened down the hatches as they say and prepared to do battle both with the elements and each other. Well, believe me, the gusts were coming fast and furious and with shifts of up to thirty degrees , it was no place for the faint-hearted.

Race 1 saw Hugh & Dan Gill arrive at the windward mark in 1^st followed closely by Shane McCarthy & Josh Porter in 2^nd and a screaming reach ensued. Shane quickly overtook Hugh who had technical issues coming into the gybe mark and ended up swimming not unlike every competitor on the water that day if not once but several times, including our multiple event winner and All Ireland Champion Ger Owens who capsized on the start line. Shane went onto win with JP & Carolyn McCaldin in second with Hugh & Dan much to their surprise scoring a third. What happened to Colman & Ross?

Race 2 was another blaster. Again Shane & Josh got to the front with Ger & Mel a close second followed by Keith Louden & Brendan Brogan along with Adrian Lee & Gareth Gallagher & Hugh & Dan in a tight bunch behind. The wind was so strong that Shane & Josh without spinnaker were taking a tack at the gybe mark and promptly went swimming but recovered quickly to regain 1^st . Mel and Ger started the sausage leg and bravely went for the kite, but alas even the mighty swim allowing Hugh & Dan to take second with JP & Carolyn taking third. What happened Colman & Ross? Well their boat is called “No Surprise” and boy did they get some surprise, as, after busting their proverbial for two tough races and finishing well, they discovered that they had been disqualified from both races for not going through the start line each time simply because they did not read the SI’s. Lesson learned!!

There was much chat and many stories when all returned to shore with all boats recovered and the only casualties being a bent mast for the boys from Cullaun SC, Des McMahon & George Fitzgerald and a few dented egos. Complimentary Hot Toddies nursed everyone back to good spirits

A splendid meal on Saturday evening was a credit to the members of East Antrim Boat Club and gave truth to their deserved reputation as great hosts.

Sunday’s wind was more manageable and all sailors took to the race course. Ger & Mel regained their composure, took first place in Race 1. JP & Carolyn took second and Colman & Ross, having learned their lesson, finally got on the scoreboard with a third.

Race 4 saw normal order of the weekend restored with Shane & Josh again notching up another race win with Hugh & Dan just doing enough to hold onto second in front of Ger & Mel.

Race 5 was more of the same. Shane & Josh notched up another win followed by Ger & Mel with Colman & Ross rounding off the day with another third. These boys are showing the fruits of their training and are definitely ones to watch for next season.

Other notable performances were from Bill & James Johnston who finished 6^th overall their highest ever placing. Meg Tyrrell and Matthew Cotter racing in a borrowed boat finished all three races on Sunday.

A challenging event which tested all sailors to their core. But Shane & Josh’s skill with four firsts put them out in front as deserved winners with four points with Ger & Mel in second on eleven and Hugh & Dan in third on twelve.

Silver Fleet winners Bill & James Johnston followed closely by Stephen & Daniel Nelson two points behind with Simon Cully & Libby Tierney taking third.

Our Bronze Fleet winner was Jennifer Bryce & Lara Sunday who must be complemented as our most widely travelled novice sailors this year. They haven’t missed an event yet. 

East Antrim Boat Club have provided the Notice of Race for the upcoming Hot Toddy event and have also provided a flyer outlining more detail including local accomodation and travel directions. 

There is Online Entry and the Club would request that everybody if possible enter in adavnce of the weekend. The Club have provided a Guide to using the Online Entry. See all 3 documents below.

If the booking guide doesn’t work for GP14 members, please e-mail Robert (see below) or  honsec@eabc.org.uk with your name, crew name, emergency contact details, sail number and email address and if they want dinner and how many. This will take a little extra time but is an option so as not to discourage sailors from entering the event.

To confirm attendance and for any other information required please contact:

• Robert Gingles
• r.gingles@outlook.com

Another win for Ger and Mel

Sutton Dinghy Club - GP14 Autumn Open 11th/12th September

The weekend's GP14 Autumn Open took place at the Dublin home of the GP14, Sutton Dinghy Club. A total of 24 boats competed, with a great mix of lads and ladies, young and older!

As the forecast predicted, conditions were quite light 5-10 knots and very shifty. Sailors also had to contend with looking for the breeze, it was very elusive at time - coming and going throughout the day.  PRO, Jim Lamkin had no easy task but got the fleet off as scheduled.

After one restart, the first race was led from the start by Keith Louden and Brendan Brogan, with Katie Dwyer and Michelle Rowley in second. The ladies pulled right into Keith and Brendan on two of the off-wind legs. However they took a few unlucky shifts on the beat, allowing the lads to get a good lead. The race finished up with a win for the Louden/ Brogan pairing, followed by Katie and Michelle in second, with Ger Owens and Melanie Morris in 3rd.

Race 2 began with some of the fleet heading out to the right, due to a right shift just after the start. Sadly the author was not one of those, but anyone who did take a hitch right greatly benefited. With much place changing during the race, Ger and Mel got the win, followed by the very strong partnership of Curley Morris and Richard Street. Coleman Grimes with Ross Gingles came in third, after being chased by a very fast Sam Street and Josh Lloyd in fourth.

With renovation work due to start shortly in Sutton, the Club had organised access to Howth Yacht Club for some outdoor dining after racing. Katier Dwyer and husband Michel arranged some pre-drinks in their garden before about 20 GP14 sailors headed for Howth. A great evening was had, and thank you to Howth Yacht Club for their generosity.

On Sunday, once the Youth event was completed, race 3 of the Autumn Open was able to start, followed promptly by race 4.  With a very light northerly breeze off the land, PRO Jim Lamkin did a stellar job getting the two races going. Both races were very light, where looking for breeze was just as important as looking for windshifts. Ger and Mel took the honours in race 3. Keith Louden consolidated his overnight position with a 2nd and then after much place changing, the husband and wife team of Jane and Ross Kearney came 3rd. Race 4 was another tight race with multiple place changing between the first five. Eventually it was a 1, 2, 3 for Ger, Keith and Katie!

Final Results
Gold fleet
1st  Ger Owens/ Melanie Morris   RSt.GYC
2nd Keith Louden/ Brendan Brogan    Lough Foyle YC
3rd Katie Dwyer/ Michelle Rowley     Sutton Dinghy Club
Silver Fleet
1st  Sam Street/Josh Lloyd   Blessington Sailing Club
2nd Sam Wray/ Ossain Geraghty Sligo YC
3rd  Mark Bolger Blessington Sailing Club
Bronze Fleet
1st John Greer/ Jessica Greer     Sligo YC
2nd David Evans/Jonathan Evans  Sligo YC
3rd  Matthew Cotter/ Jane Hunter   Sutton Dinghy Club

Blessington one - two with Lily Thorup taking top Youth Prize

Sutton Dinghy Club - GP14 Autumn Open 11th/12th September

Over the weekend, racing was as good as it gets, atmosphere was excellent and hospitality was unbeatable, so massive thanks to Sutton Dinghy Club and all its members for showing us such a good time.

Over both days there was a light but consistent breeze laying the groundwork for a lot of close, competitive sailing to be had. All sailors were kept on their toes throughout the races and the finishes were kept tight.

Lily Thorup took home the Youth trophy, bringing glory to Blessington, with Colman Grimes in the front of the boat. Also great to see mirror fleet sailors, David Evans and Jessica Greer coming down all the way from Sligo, and David winning the u16 prize.

To have so many youths at the event, and to be able to have a laugh with them off the water was unreal, and if they could keep coming to events maybe the rest of the clubs would be as alive as Sutton was last weekend. So massive thanks to all the youth sailors who turned up to the event for making it so enjoyable and also congratulations to the older sailors in the fleet for getting them (and us) involved and being so welcoming and helpful.

Full results on home page of Sutton Dinghy Club.

Mullingar Sailing Club have provided the Sailing Instructions which are available below. 

2 races sailed today and hats off to our PRO Derek Bothwell for managing to complete the full schedule. 

Ger Owens & Brendan Brogan won both races to just pip Shane MacCarthy & Josh Porter by a point but it was a nail-biter that went right to the wire.

According to the mathematicians in the fleet, only 2 wins would do for Ger & Brendan and he took a clear victory in the mornings first race. Colman Grimes & Ross Gingles were 2nd with Ross and Shane fighting it out for the 3rd spot.

With Ger and the leaders on their way up the last beat, the PRO was left with no choice but to apply the dreaded blue flag and sailing through the line downwind SI which claimed a good portion of the fleet. A harsh lesson for many Silver, Bronze and the odd Gold fleet sailor.

Into the deciding last race and a great start on the left by Ger looked like the Championships was now his to lose as Shane and Ross were buried in the fleet on the other side of the course.

If Ger thought he just needed to sail to the finish he soon realised it wasn't the case, as Katie Dwyer & Michele Rowley paced them all the way around and Ger & Brendan couldn't shake them off. Meanwhile, following the poor start Shane & Josh came from way back to move into 3rd. No one was quite sure but Ger by holding off Katie Dwyer & Michelle Rowley on the last beat ensured they clinched the deal.

A superb 4th following his 6th in Race 7 from James Hockley & Alan Thompson (Lough Foyle) gave them 5th Overall and Silver fleet victory from Steven & Daniel Nelson (Newtownards) and fleet newcomer Patrick Hamilton & James Dewhurst (East Down). Gold Fleet next year guys!

Bronze fleet victory went to Sutton Dinghy Club  new-comers Matthew Cotter & Tom Mulligan who just held off a late rally from locals Michael & David Brines (LEYC) to take the honours.  Class President Michael Collender & Brian Walker ( Mullingar) were 3rd.

A superb 4th Overall including a Race 4 win by Yin Tang helped ensure Hugh and Dan Gill took the Masters Championship.

The new boats under Hugh and Norman Lee were very quick and should mean a few enquiries to Alistair Duffin before next years Worlds.

Ciaran Keogh and Adam Leddy finished 20th Overall and took the Youth Championship.

JP McCaldin along with LEYC Commodore Neil Ireland presented the prizes. The PRO Derek Borhwell was given a great reception and complimented for his efforts in getting a full schedule completed.

JP and Michel Collender, Class President thanked everybody, and particularly the Youth sailors for getting up to Lough Erne making it such a great event and  encouraged a good turnout for the next event which is the  Autumn Open & Youth Championship to be held in Sutton Dinghy Club on Sep 11/12.

Lough Erne Yacht Club have provided the Notice of Race for the upcoming 2021 GP14 Championship of Ireland.

There will be a daily prize giving including individual race trophies, and spot prizes throughout the fleet, at 7pm on Friday and Saturday.

Complimentary breakfast and hot drinks will be provided on all 3 days.

There will be a BBQ on Friday evening, a Championship dinner on Saturday and lunch available on Sunday.  Please see attached menu.  Please note all meals must be pre-booked, payment can be made at registration on Friday morning.

We have a band organised for Saturday night.

There is plenty of space for camping on the club site but we ask that you please notify us if you are intending to pitch a tent / park a campervan.  A local accomodation list is provided BELOW for those looking for a bit more luxury!

Registration will be from 9.30am on Friday morning, we would appreciate it if all competitors could please confirm their intention to enter the event by Wednesday 11th August.  Everyone who has confirmed attendance, and enters, will be placed into a free draw to win their entry fee back.

To confirm attendance and for any other information required please contact:

• JP McCaldin
• jpmccaldin@hotmail.com
• 0044 7989963821.

Different event,  same result. Following their  success at the Ulsters two weeks ago, Ger Owens and Mel Morris were crowned GP14  Leinster Champions at Blessington Sailing Club last weekend.  (Jul 3/4)

Originally earmarked as part of the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, the Leinsters attracted 34 boats to Blessington and Blessington did not disappoint. 

On Saturday, tough flukey conditions saw a long delay before racing got underway at 2:15 but our PRO Joe Crilly held his nerve to get in 3 great races. 

While Hugh Gill might be waiting for his new GP14 from Alistair Duffin,  it certainly doesn't stop him getting into other boats and making them sail fast. With another loaner for the Leinsters, he led the first race from the start, chased by Ger Owens, Shane MacCarthy, Norman Lee and Colman Grimes, only relinquishing the lead on the last leg in to the line. 1, 2 Shane & Ger,  with Hugh hanging on for 3rd.

A couple of windshift induced AP's led to Black Flag start on Race 2 but with everyone away, it didn't take long for Shane and Ger to renew rivalry again with Curly Morris well to the fore. By end of the race Ger was in the ascendancy with Keith Louden coming through to take 3rd. Curly 4th and Colman Grimes taking 5th. 

Race 3 saw Ger,  Shane, Curly,  Keith and Colman all to the fore from early on. A stronger breeze brought some welcome fast spinnaker reaches. With Keith splitting Shane and Ger, it now looked like some order was taking shape going into Sunday. Not a bit of it! It was still all still to play for.

Sunday saw PRO Joe Crilly out promptly on the water and now aided by the visiting Derek Bothwell from HYC.  The day started with fresher and more consistent breeze for the first race. This time Curly Morris with event organiser Richard Street in the front of the boat, split Ger and Shane with the pair now level on points.  The 5th race saw a clean start, but with plenty of port-starboard incidents as well as the unusual sight of Ger Owens in the water after losing his footing. An improving David Johnston looked likely to be first to the weather mark, but a windshift saved a nosebleed by letting Shane and Colman nip in ahead. The Class saw Diana Kissane (Sutton Dinghy Club/HYC) back in the fleet for the first time in 10 years and a 4th in Race 5 suggests it won't be long before we see her exert pressure at the top of the fleet. A great recovery saw Ger fight his way back into contention from his early bath but Shane hung on for the bullet with Ger having to settle for 2nd. 

Silver fleet was led at this stage by the very consistent Conor Twohig & Meg Tyrrell (Sutton Dinghy Club) who had posted 5 top 10 finishes to lead Steve Nelson (Newtownards SC) and Stuart McCormack (Mullingar SC).  The host Clubs Matthew Street led Bronze fleet from Class President Michael Collander (Mullingar SC) going into the 6th and final race.

With dark rain clouds forming and moving down the valley, Joe and Derek got the final race off without a hitch. A ding dong match race ensued between Ger and Shane as they struggled to gain the key advantage. Ever consistent now in 2 events, Skerries Colman Grimes injected himself into the frame and made the outcome even more interesting. A major windshift on the sausage prompted the PRO to shorten the race  and with Colman now in 2nd, Shane's 3rd meant Ger & Mel were to take the Championship.

With the rain now starting to lash the fleet, 34 boats made a bee-line for the shore.  

Derek Bothwell who will be PRO for GP14 Championship of Ireland in August came down to get acquainted with the Class and with 34 boats, quality racing at all 3 levels of the fleet he must have been impressed and  I am sure he will now be looking forward to Lough Erne in August.

A great turnout from the host Club, strong Youth attendance and with 16 Clubs represented across the 34 boat fleet, 2021 has highlighted the interest in competitive, affordable racing within Irelands largest 2 handed Class. With quite a few notable absentees in Blessington and also a no. of new boats on the way an even better turnout may be expected for the Nationals at Lough Erne Yacht Club in August. All preparation for the GP14 Worlds in Skerries in Aug 2022.

Richard Street as Event Organiser with Class President Michael Collander presented the Leinster Championship McDowell Trophy to Ger Owens and Melanie Morris. The Leinster Youth Trophy went to Peter Boyle & Joe Doherty (Sutton Dinghy Club) with the Leinster Junior U19 Trophy going to Sam Street and Rian O'Hailin (Blessington).

Class President Michael Collander thanked Blessington Sailing Club for all their efforts in making it such a great event. Remarking on the no. of event first timers in Blessington he reminded everyone of the Classes ' Adopt a Sailor'  campaign and asked regular attendees to help encourage and support someone in their Club to get along to the next GP14 event. Be it issues with trailers, tuning or a crew sometimes a little bit of help and support can make the difference in getting someone to their first event. He praised Steven Nelson from Newtownards and Shane MacCarthy for supporting and encouraging Jennifer Bryce/Lara Sunday and Ronan Beirne/Dave Mulvin to make it to Blessington.  With nearly 6 weeks to our next event, the Championship of Ireland (August 13-15), Michael encouraged those who can make it to attend the Skerries Regatta on July 24/25 where a GP14 start will be provided.

Photos courtesy of and John Channin and Ruairi O'Hailin, .

Youth (U22)
Peter Boyle & Joe Doherty (Sutton Dinghy Club)
 

Junior (U19)
Sam Street & Josh Lloyd (Blessington Lakes SC)

Bronze Fleet
1 Matthew Street & Riain O'Hailin (Blessington Lakes SC)
2 Michael Collender & Brian Walker (Mullingar SC)
3 Des McMahon Pat Biesty (Cullaun SC)

Silver Fleet
1 Conor Twohig & Meg Tyrrell (Sutton Dinghy Club)
2 Steve & Daniel Nelson (Newtownards SC)
3 Stuart McCormick & Bernie Briody (Mullingar SC)

Gold Fleet
1 Ger Owens & Mel Morris (RStGYC)
2 Shane MacCarthy & Josh Porter (Greystones SC)
3 Colman Grimes & Ed Coyne (Skerries SC)

Blessington Sailing Club having stepped into the breach to hold the Leinsters following cancellation of the Volvo Dun Laoghiare Regatta have issued the events Notice of Race.

Further details regarding Online entry will follow in the next few days.

Please take note of the additional Covid procedures provided by Blessington Sailing Club

Check out Full Results and Photos By Bob Given Photography

Folks

While the cancellation of the Volvo was a disappointment for the GP14 Class, what with the GP14 likely to be the largest represented Class with 30 boats registered, I am delighted to say that our 2021 Leinster Championships will go ahead but not in Dun Laoghaire. 

Since news of the VDLR cancellation came through, the Committee have been working behind the scenes considering possible alternate venues for the event.

As with last year, a big shout out to Richard Street and the Committee in Blessington for committing to run the event at such short notice. Remember Richard & Blessington managed to run our only event of 2020 The Autumn Open & Youth Championships.

The re-arranged event will be run over 2 days the week-end of July 3-4. More details will be communicated in the coming weeks.

Great news for the GP14 fleet...we can confirm that our Ulser Championships will go ahead in Newtownards Sailing Club on weekend of June 19/20. Newtownards members have been back sailing for almost a month now and have good numbers out on the water.

The organisers have a max limit of 40 boats (at this time) and will only be taking entries Online via the portal link attached. With 10+ GP14 boats sailing in Newtownards, entries will be on a first come first served basis. Closing date for entries is June 17th.

Good news is that there should be bar and food, subject to prevailing restrictions. Full details on the attached link below.

The Club have confirmed they will have plenty of camping facilities available on site.

With our first (qualifying) event since 2019 looming with the Ulster Championship in Newtownards on June 19/20, I am delighted to confirm that Craftinsure will once again sponsor our GP14 Fleet Leagues.

The final League situation at the end of the 2019 season can be found HERE on our Fleets and Leagues page.

For those new to the Class, the guidelines to how the Class manage and administer the Fleet can be found on the attached document.

Folks

Following discussions between the Class and Cullaun Sailing Club we have made the decision to postpone the Munster Championship till a later date in the season. With only a limited lifting of restrictions expected for the end of April, we believe it is highly unlikely we would have been able to proceed with our initial dates of May 15/16.

The event has been rearranged for November 6th / 7th 2021. 

Fingers crossed that we will be able to make the journey to Newtownards in June for the Ulster Championships. As of this weekend we have 27 boats entered for the Leinster Championships which will be raced as part of the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta in early July. The early bird entry has been extended till April 16th.

The Class Committee are meeting regularly and we will keep you informed of any further developments  with regard to getting back sailing.