Top 3 standings in each league with only the Hot Toddy left

Check out the full listing on  Craftinsure Leagues

GP14 Ireland Youth Championships

24th & 25th September 2016 - Sligo Yacht Club

21 entries recevied so far - the battle is on!!

GP14 Ireland Autumn Open & Youth Championships

24th & 25th September 2016 - Sligo Yacht Club

GP14 Ireland is looking forward to the next event in Sligo - a combined Autumn Open and Irish Youth Championship.

Youths wanting to take part in the event as helm or crew please get in touch with Ossian (geraghty.ossian@gmail.com) as soon as possible.

If you are willing to lend your boat out to a youth please let Ossian know.

Schedule

Youth Categories

Under 16 on 1st January 2016

Under 19 on 1st January 2016

Under 21 on 1st January 2016 

2016 GP14 Ireland Craftinsure Leagues

Updated with Irish results

Check out the full listing on  Craftinsure Leagues

GP14 Youth Training at Skerries

25/26 August 2016

Funded by the ISA, Exe Sails & the Howard Davis Memorial GP14 Youth Fund

Report by Colman Grimes

Sixteen enthusiastic sailors rolled up to Skerries Sailing Club Thursday 25th & Friday 26th of August 2016 for some training ahead of the GP14 Championship of Ireland. Youths from Youghal, Blessington, Greystones, Rush and Skerries were greeted with a beautiful morning and a mirror-like sea over the bay, great for the sun tan, not so great for sailing!

The Coach, Thomas Chaix, made introductions, boats were set up, and with a light breeze not forecasted until the afternoon at best, it was decided to start off with some theory for the morning. The start line (no better place to start!) was discussed in detail together with first-beat tactics.

After lunch, luckily a light breeze kicked in and we got to go out and practice some starts, beats and boat handling under the careful watch of Thomas. The wind was ideal for the 1st day of training so some could get used to GP14s, borrowed boats or new crews.

A few races ended the day, Edie & Emma from Blessington showed the boys up by pipping them on the finish line on first race. Loud and ecstatic with their performance they retired early to head to Dun Laoghaire to welcome home Olympic Medallist Annalise Murphy. After a few more races, we wrapped it up for the day.

The next day the wind was up and after more theory we hit the water. Things were a lot less forgiving than the previous day with almost everyone capsizing (a few times) until they started to get the hang of it. Some seemed to be enjoying capsizing a bit too much!

A lot of experience was gained during the session, with everyone’s boat control improving vastly and some very fast spinnaker reaches. After a break for lunch and with the wind not as strong as the morning we hit the water for one more short session.

After a number of practice races we finished early to take some time to relax and recuperate (for the weekend’s Nationals) after a hard day on the water!

Thanks to the ISA, Exe Sails and the Howard Davis Memorial GP14 youth fund for their contribution in funding the training event. The use of Skerries Sailing Club facilities was greatly appreciated also. And to Coach Thomas Chaix for sharing his expertise. It would not happen without some volunteers, so massive thanks to Helen Ryan from SSC on rescue and sandwiches, my wife Brid for more sandwiches and not to forget the campsite security guard, baby Dylan who made sure our back garden didn’t turn into a festival!

Many of the participants raced into the weekend for the Nationals. Well done to Adrian Lee & Edward Coyne from Youghal Sailing Club who put in a great performance and finished only a few points off the top 10 in a very competitive fleet.

Great fun was had by all.

ISA - Sail Measurement Course

Wed 7 September, Kinsale YC

A sail measurers course is planned for 7th of September in Kinsale Yacht Club, 0900 – 1630hrs.

http://www.sailing.ie/sail-measurers-course/

Details on the course content

World Sailing Sail Measurement Course. It will be predominantly based on the Equipment Rules of Sailing and in particular Section G regarding sails.

Successful candidates would become “official measurers” and permitted to certify sails for a number of classes within the country of the MNA that approved them.

Pre-requisites

No pre-requisites required but if coming in with no prior knowledge then a pass is highly unlikely.

Who it is applicable to

Anyone wishing to become an official measurer for sails.

There are a number of classes that use the World Sailing Standard Class Rules format and the ERS and therefore use the term “official measurer” when it comes to sail certification.

IRC Measurers and any classes who need some training would be the best start. Also sailmakers wishing to be able to self-certify their sails.

Total cost to participants

€45

Please email Sarah-Louise: sl.rossiter@sailing.ie if you are interested in attending.

Irish Nationals and Masters Championships

Sat 27 - Mon 29 Aug - Skerries Sailing Club

Timmy Corcoran & Brendan Brogan take the 2016 GP14 Irish Championship back to Sligo. 

Skerries club put on a fantastic sailing event - thanks to all invloved and to the main sponsor Bacharach!

Report - Ossian Gerraghty

Photos copyright - Andy Johnson

Skerries Saiing Club which has a long history of hosting excellent GP14 events welcomed the GP14 Class back for the 2016 Championships of Ireland sponsored by Bacharach. The event attracted an entry of 37 boats.

The first day of the event was characterised by medium strength winds. Recently returned from the UK having defended his UK British GP 14 title Shane McCarthy crewed by Damien Bracken led the charge to the first mark followed by Niall Henry and Ossian Geraghty, Sligo Yacht Club. The Gallagher brothers from Lough Foyle powered through Henry /Geraghty and McCarthy/Bracken on the first reach and led to the first race to the finish. In the second race it was the turn of Tim Corcoran and Brendan Brogan, Sligo Yacht Club who took line honours snatching the lead from Hugh Gill and Conor Twohig from Sutton Dingy Club. At the end of the first day of racing it was obvious that consistency over the series would be the deciding factor in the event with many of the top boats collecting double digit point in the first day. Alan Blay and David Johnson Sutton Dingy Club and McCarthy/Bracken were in overall pole position leading into day two of the Championship.

Day two was like dying and going to sailor’s hell. There were light winds with rolling waves and the most awful chop on the water all day. It was very difficult to get the boats moving at all and when you did you couldn’t stir with the risk of stalling. Hugh Gill made it look easy leading this race from start to finish with Timmy Corcoran constantly trying to close the gap without success. The course was switched to Windward/Leeward which made for lots of passing opportunities. Race 4 was finally claimed by Niall Henry after an epic battle with reigning GP14 World Champion Shane McCarthy. After a lot of waiting around and two false starts the Officer of Day Liam Dineen abandoned the third race much to the delight of the weary fleet.

The final day of the Championships began with little to no wind which filled gradually as the morning progressed. After a number of attempts to set a course the wind finally moved south and built throughout the day. There was only four points separating the top five boats so it was all to play for in the last two races. With the building winds, shifts of up to thirty degrees, strong gusts and windward/leeward courses there was a lot of position changes during this race. JP and Caroline McCaldin from Lough Erne Yacht Club won Race five chased closely by Keith Louden and Alan Thompson from Sligo Yacht Club. The last race of the series was similar and the event was won/lost of the last run. It Curly Morris and Laura McFarland's turn at line honours in this final race but Timmy Corcoran who made five places on the final run to finish second to become the National Champions for 2016. This was a splendid way for Timmy to bow out and we wish him good luck in his move to Spain.

In the Silver Fleet a similarly epic battle was taking place and with the final gun there was only 3 points separating the top 3 Silver Finishers;

Silver Fleet

1 Peter Boyle/Stephen Boyle

2 Steven Nelson/Brenda Preston

3 Katie Dwyer/Michelle Rowley

In the Bronze Fleet Youghal sailors Adrian Lee and Edward Coyne sailed a very consistent series beating most of the Silver boats to take the overall Bronze fleet. I suspect these guys need a promotion up to Silver the way they are sailing.

Bronze fleet

1 Adrian Lee/Edward Coyne

2 Brian Andrews/Claire Cromie

3 Steven Preston/Alison Boyd

The next GP14 event is the Autumn Open/Youth Championships which takes place on the 24^th and 25^th of September at Sligo Yacht Club. We look a good turnout. If you know of any Youth sailors who would like to compete please contact Ossian Geraghty, geraghty.ossian@gmail.com to arrange a boat and crew.

GP14 UK Nationals 2016 - final day

Congratulations to Shane and Andy for bringing the UK Nationals back to Ireland!

Full reports and results of the UK Nationals here http://www.gp14.org/2016nationals/

GP14 UK Nationals 2016 - Day 4

All hotting up on day 4 with light wind racing.  Mike & Liz Senior took the 2 bullets that were up for grabs and are overnight leaders into the last day of racing.  Not a great day for the Irish.  Shane & Andy took a 2nd and a 15th leaves them joint 2nd with Fergus & Ellie and just 5 points behind Mike & Liz.

2 more races on Friday - there will be a good contest between the top 3 boats.

Link to races 1-7

Offical events page - http://www.gp14.org/2016nationals/#programme

GP14 UK Nationals 2016 - Wed - lay day

No racing today so instead a video below of how not to start...
 

Link to Race 1-5 results

Offical events page - http://www.gp14.org/2016nationals/#programme

GP14 UK Nationals 2016 - Day 3

Day 3 started off in light winds. The fleet launched but after an hour of still light airs the fleet were sent ashore.  The wind eventually filled in and they were set afloat again after lunch.  The lighter winds proved tricky with it easy to fall back 1 too many places.  Race 4 was taken by Mike & Liz Senior with Sam Watson & Andy Hunter taking 2nd.  Race 5 Shane & Andy were back on form and took the bullet with Peter & Stephen Boyle taking an excellent 4th.

Full report http://www.gp14.org/gp14-nationals-day-3/

Results after 5 races and 1 discard:

Scoring codes used

Link to Race 1-5 results

Offical events page - http://www.gp14.org/2016nationals/#programme

GP14 UK Nationals 2016 - Day 2

All Irish, apart from Shane & Andy, were bumped up by 1 point in Race 1 after Sam Watson & Andy Hunter were DSQ'ed from Race 1.

Day 2 was a great day on the water by the Irish with Shane & Andy taking race 2 and Alan & David taking race 3.

Results after 3 races:

Scoring codes used

Link to Races 1-3

Offical events page - http://www.gp14.org/2016nationals/#programme

GP14 UK Nationals 2016 - Day 1

Good luck to the 5 Irish boats over in Pwllheli at the GP14 UK Nationals this week 20-26 Aug.

Race 1 proviosonal results from Sunday 21 Aug below - well done Shane & Andy getting the first bullet on offer!

Link to Full results

Offical events page - http://www.gp14.org/2016nationals/#programme

GP14 - Junior (U21) training

Exe Sails & Howard Davis Memorial GP14 Youth Training

ISA GP14 Youth Training

Thu 25 - Fri 26 Aug - Skerries Sailing Club

Sutton Dinghy Club Regatta

Sunday 7th August 2016

Sutton Dinghy Club would like to invite all GP14 sailors to our Annual Regatta, taking place on Sunday 7th August.

First gun 13:30.  NOR and entry form links below.

It should provide for great racing and the usual high standard SDC hospitality!  It will also be great practice for boats in the lead up to the UK and the Irish nationals.

Hope to see you there.

Katie Dwyer
GP14 Class Captain SDC

http://newsdc.sdc.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/2016-SDC-Regatta-Notice-Of-Race.pdf
http://newsdc.sdc.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/2016-SDC-Regatta-Entry-Form.pdf

GP14 Leinster Championship

Sutton DC July 23-24 - results

Report & Photos Andy Johnston

The 2016 GP14 Leinster Championships were hosted by Sutton Dinghy Club and there was a super representation from Clubs up and down the country. The  strength of the Class comes from the GP14 presence in the likes Moville, Donegal, Donaghadee, Newtownards, East Antrim, East Down, Enniskillen, RSt.GYC,  Blessington, Lough Foyle, Sligo, Greystones, Skerries, Clontarf, Mullingar, Swords and the crews being prepared to travel to events like the Leinsters. This year we also saw boats from the emerging fleets of Youghal in Cork and Cullaun in Co. Clare.

It was fitting that the class should be sharing this event with the Mirror Nationals as many of the current GP14 sailors began their sailing careers in this class and indeed the current GP14 fleet boasts more than its fair share of past Mirror National Champions. A number of the GP14 sailors here at the weekend were in Sutton 30 years ago when the Club last hosted the Mirror Nationals in the week of Hurricane Charley. Indeed Des McMahon (Cullaun) and Libby Tierney (Blessington) vividly remembered a race with 105 starters and only 18 finishers such were the conditions that week. With 3 Olympians and a World Champion in the GP14 Leinster Fleet this weekend in Sutton, the Mirror sailors and their parents were seriously interested in the events progress. 

Light & shifty winds and three different race winners on Day 1 tells only the beginning of the story. The fickle conditions meant each race was full of twists & turns with corresponding tales of woe & good fortune. Race 1 began in moderate conditions but a dramatic right shift half way up the first beat saw boats that had worked the right hand side gain handsomely. Making the most of the windshift were the McGuinness brothers John & Donal who rounded first followed by Blessington sailors Simon Cully & Libby Tierney. John & Donal comfortably held on to win race 1 from Shane MacCarthy & Damian Bracken with local GP14 legend Hugh Gill sailing with Tim Coyne taking 3^rd.  Race 2 saw Keith Louden & Alan Thompson establish a commanding lead before letting victory slip from their grasp at the last moment  by sailing to the wrong finish mark. This let local pair, Alan Blay & David Johnson sneak the win from Ger Owens & Phil Lawton. Shane & Damian were 3^rd with Keith & Alan realising their error and scrambling back to 4^th. In race 3 Keith & Alan’s luck improved.  Ger & Phil were race leaders but as the final beat turned into a fetch initially and then a reach, the leading group of boats became becalmed leaving the rest of the fleet to hoist their spinnakers and sail past. Profiting the most from the fickle breeze, Keith & Alan took the win from Shane & Damian with Ger & Phil doing well in the end to salvage 3^rd place. The fleet sailed ashore to more scones & cake and bar-b-que with a superb Thai Supper later in the evening. Sutton hospitality is a force to be reckoned with! Overnight leaders in the gold fleet were Shane & Damian despite not winning a single race. Sutton pair Katie Dwyer & Michelle Rowley led the silver fleet while Blessington sailors Matthew & Richard Street had sailed very consistently in the tricky conditions to lead the bronze fleet.

The tidal nature of Sutton Creek meant a 13.30 start on Sunday gave the fleet a welcome lie-in. The first race of the day saw Shane & Damian as early race leaders but as the wind died on the last beat, they were overhauled by both local pair Alan & David and Ger & Phil. Alan & David held on for their second win of the weekend with Ger & Phil notching up another 2^nd. Race 5 was to provide another sting in the tail. The wind swung 90 degrees on the second lap, letting boats once again hoist spinnakers on the upwind leg and with numerous casualties and benefitters. Keith & Alan crossed the line ahead of Shane & Damian with Katie & Michelle in third. However Keith & Alan were left cursing their misfortune once again as they crossed the line to silence – an OCS putting paid to their chances of overall event victory. This meant race 5 winners were Shane & Damian with Katie & Michelle hanging on superbly to 2^nd from Ger & Phil in 3^rd.

The wind died and the prospect of a final 6^th race was looking remote when the AP was hoisted a number of times. However, one more twist in the weekend’s weather saw the wind fill in and white horses suddenly appear.  OOD Scorie Walls promptly got Race 6 underway as the wind started to gust above 20 knots.  Shane & Damian established a good lead over the first lap only to capsize at the second windward mark. They were soon joined by Keith & Alan leaving Sutton Dinghy Clubs Alan & Dave to sail on to a third race win and secure 2^nd overall. Shane & Damian recovered to 2^nd which was sufficient to give them overall victory while the McGuinness brothers took 3^rd position & 3^rd place overall. 

In the Silver fleet, local sailors Katie Dwyer & Michelle Rowley have been sailing very quickly in their new boat and were convincing winners from Lawrence Balham & Stephen Nelson. Local youth sailor Peter Boyle continues to impress and with his old fella Stephen crewing , finished 3^rd in the silver fleet. Bronze fleet winners were Greystones sailors Kevin Gillen & Norman Lee, while Jack Buttimer & Adam McDonagh kept the Youghal flag flying with 2^rd overall in the bronze fleet. Fittingly on his return to Sutton, Des McMahon & Pat Biesty, newcomers to the open circuit from Cullaun Sailing Club left with 3rd in bronze fleet.

So to summarise, an event full of twist & turns, conditions to severely test, an OOD team that coped admirably with the GP14 and Mirror fleets and superb racing for competitors from all over the country.

Thanks to Sutton Dinghy Club for their exceptional hospitality and for organising an event to remember.

GP14 Leinster Championship

Sutton DC July 23-24

With only a few weeks to go it is time to get your entries in for the 2016 GP14 Leinster's to be held at Sutton Dinghy Club on July 23-24.

The event is being run in tandem with the 2016 Mirror Nationals which further develops the link agreed between the 2 Classes at the AGM held in Howth before the Barbados Worlds.

While entry will be open on the Saturday, the Class Association and the Club would really appreciate as many pre-entries as possible to help facilitate the race office administration for both events as well as helping identify correct numbers of Safety boats.

With the World Sailing Laser Radial Championships running in Dublin Bay that week, safety boats and crew are already in heavy demand so getting a handle on entries as early as possible allows the Club make the appropriate arrangements.

There are a number boats already pre-entered including Katie Dwyer/Michelle Rowley who had a great showing at the O'Tiarnaigh and Purcell Trophy weekend. Also pre-entered is Stephen/Peter Boyle, Hugh Gill and Alan Blay/David Johnston. This reflects the pressure the Class President can exert on his own Club members to help the cause.

There is online booking and payment capability available for the event. You can also call (01-8392135) or email (info@sdc.ie) the Club office to submit your entry.

The Club are planning to hold a supper evening (circa €7-8) on Saturday 24th if there is sufficient interest. Please indicate your interest and numbers via the contact form on the booking page when entering the event.  http://sdc.ie/camping-supper-contact/

Sutton Dinghy Club have also confirmed availability of a secure area close by suitable for camping and less than 10 mins walk from the Club. There is also room to cater for a small number of camper vans.

Again please indicate interest on the contact form on the event entry booking page.

Book Online now - http://sdc.ie/2016-gp14-leinsters-entry/

Sat 3 races - first gun 12.45hrs

Sun 3 races - first gun 13.30hrs

GP14 Ulster Championship EDYC

June 25-26

Report by Donal McGuinness

Photos by Laura McFarland

The members of East Down Yacht Club in Strangford  Lough welcomed  the GP14 fleet  back for the 2016 Ulster Championships on the 25th and 26th June with their enthusiastic and warm hospitality.  This was the fleet’s first return to EDYC since the Club hosted the successful World Championships in 2014.  It was good to be back.  Racing was brisk for the 22 strong teams on the first day with Race Officer Sheela Lewis pleasing every one by getting the full programme of three races and solid Olympic courses. The black flag was pulled out on a few occasions to keep manners on those pushing the line. The wind picked up in strength as the day progressed with the last race sailed in a spirited 20 knots of breeze. 

Shane McCarthy and Damian Bracken put in a devastating performance with three convincing wins followed by the McGuinness brothers with three second places. The thirds were shared equally between Curly Morris and LauraMcFarland, Keith Louden and Alan Thompson and the Gallagher brothers.

The second days racing was a little less frantic with the winds having dropped to a more relaxed 9 knots. That said, the lovely clear waters of the Lough have lots of tricky little tidal secrets that took the day for some but not all to unlock.  With three more races completed, McCarthy and Bracken held on to their first place lead to become Ulster Champions.  Louden and Thompson took second when they won the last race with the McGuinness brothers dropping to third overall.  Steven Nelson and Brenda Preston, who also won race 4 in some style, won the silver fleet. Michael Cox and Josh Porter were second in the silver fleet with Gareth and Richard Gallagher taking third.  The two Derry lads put in an impressive performance all weekend ending up 7th overall.  They were also crowned the Ulster GP Champion Youth winners. The Bronze champions were Youghal youth sailors Adrian Lee and Edward Coyne with Thomas and Paul Sexton from Sligo in second and Robson Ogg and James Ogg from Donaghadee taking third bronze.

Finally an impressive new trophy to mark the achievements of ace crew Andy Thompson from Larne was presented for the first time to winning crew, Damian Bracken. Andy has, over the years, notched up title after title in the GP14 and other classes and it is fitting that the GP class in Ireland recognise his unparalleled achievements. Well done Andy!

Coleraine 24hr race - Team GP14 win!!

18th & 19th June 2016

Photos & report b y Laura McFarland

Team GP14 wins the 2016 Coleraine 24hr race on the River Bann.  The team was made up of Tim Corcoran & Brendan Brogan, Keith Louden & Alan Thompson, Curly Morris & Laura McFarland, James Hockley & Ryan Louden sailing in Alan Thompson’s boat.

Timmy & Brendan got off the line sharply at the 2pm gun. They got 5 laps in 2hrs. Once Keith & Alan took on their shift at 4pm the wind had started to ease off and they only got 2 laps in over their 2hr shift. Curly & Laura took over at 6pm with the wind starting to get patchy in places.  They similarly put in 2 laps in 2hrs.  A few laser sailors were evidently pumping their way around the course and managed to lap all other boats when there was next to no wind.  Rule 42 was blatantly being broken.  On being hailed to cease from the GP14 and other sailors and with no sign of it stopping a protest was duly put in against a number of sailors.  The protest was heard around 1am -  yes that is the way it works in a 24hr race - with the overwhelming evidence on show the protest was upheld and 3 laser teams were docked a full lap each.

James & Ryan took over from Laura & Curly at 8.30pm and unfortunately had keep the boat more under anchor than sailing during their shift as the wind had disappeared and the river was following out to sea.  We were one of the few teams with an anchor.  Some others boats drifted way down stream of the course.  Some caught hold of river buoys and managed to attach themselves.  Once the flood lights were turned the junior boats were brought ashore and wouldn’t sail again until 8am.  

It was a long shift for most of the boats as the changeover area was upstream. James & Ryan were eventually relieved by Keith & Alan just after midnight.  The wind thankfully filled back in again just after midnight and the night shifters sailed fabulously and were managing to lap most boats – legally!!  

The lap penalties were not to be applied until the race finish but by 10am the GP14 team were the dominate team and continued to do so until the 2pm gun.

Coleraine YC presented the award to the team and thanked them for putting on a fantastic spectacle of sailing commenting on the superb boat handling skills of each team in the boat.  They more than welcome back the GP14 sailors and hope that more enter next year.