GP14 Ireland
GP14 CHAMPIONSHIP of IRELAND
1970 - present
Your committee has been busy over the winter and have compiled the full list of past winners of Irish Nationals from 1970 to the present.
Check it out - GP14 Past Irish Champions - some fabulous family connections.
Dylan Grimes born on Friday 26th February
The GP14 fleet sends its congratulations to Colman and family.
Colman's reason for not being able to sail in the Worlds in Barbados!
GP14 Ireland are Packed for Barbados
22 Irish GP14s arrived on a drizzly wet Saturday morning at 9am at SureFreight's Yard off the Crumlin Road, Belfast. Many thanks to Michael Rutherford & SureFright for their facilities.
Racking was put in place very quickly and the first loads were going in by 9.30am. Hot drinks were flowing with plenty of biscuits and cake to keep the gang going.
Unfortunately 1 accident on the day - chief photographer Garth took a trip and ended up in A&E with a fractured wrist. He's hoping the cast is off before Barbados otherwise he's going to have the worst white bits of anyone!
Sri Lankan packing experience came in handy and all loading of the boats went smoothly. Fantastic to get the last container door shut with plenty of time to spare.
Roll on the sunshine & warm waters of Barbados.
Photos: Laura & Garth McFarland
Liam Shanahan wins Afloat.ie Sailor Of The Year 2015
SHANE McCARTHY & ANDY THOMPSON receive their Afloat Sailor of the Month Award for August 2015
Andy and Shane were named the Afloat Sailor of the Month in August and as such were Nominated for the Irish Sailor of the Year 2015. Liam Shanahan was named the 2015 Afloat Irish Sailor of the Year at the Irish Sailing Awards in Dublin on 4 Feb 2016
Report plus further photos http://afloat.ie/item/31292-sailor-of-the-year-slideshow
Photos: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Irish Container Packing Weekend
Saturday 6 Feb - Sunday 7 Feb 2016
The GP14 Ireland team's packing weekend for the 3 containers will be 6-7 Feb 2016. We will be packing the boats in Belfast.
Allastair Duffin in his Belfast workshop looking over the plans of the Ferguson Monoplane. Photograph by Bob Torrens
All 'plane sailing' for Alastair
Allastair Duffin is renowned for building GP14 'flying machines' but now he is actually building a flying machine. This is an article by Jason Boyd published in Alastair's local paper the Newtownards Chronicle about how he is building a replica of the Harry Ferguson monoplane. Ferguson was the first Irishman (possibly the first in the British Isles) to build and fly his own plane in 1909.
Article by Jason Boyd
From sea to air, a Newtownards boatbuilder and woodworker says he has been enjoying building a replica of the first aeroplane to fly in Ireland.
Alastair Duffin, from Teal Rocks in Newtownards, has been woodworking for the past 40 years and has mastered building boats of all shapes and sizes, but most notably, he is best known for making GP14 dinghies. And, being a keen sailor, he admitted that it is more than just a job. “I’m one of the lucky ones,” he said. “My job is my hobby.”
However, Alastair’s latest construction project is a far cry from his usual seafaring work, which will instead see his creation take to the air.
The BBC has commissioned Alastair to recreate the monoplane that Harry Ferguson first built in 1909, and who would go on to become the first Irishman to fly. While his name is synonymous with tractors and motorcars, the engineer became enamoured with the exploits of the Wright brothers, who had successfully flown an aeroplane in 1903. After hearing about their achievement he visited exhibitions and air shows, where he jotted down a number of designs. He then returned home to the garage he and his brother Joe ran and they embarked on building and flying planes.
After making many improvements, and a few unsuccessful attempts, one of which was at Magilligan Sands, the Ferguson monoplane took to the air from Hillsborough on December 31 1909. However, while his attempts at Hillsborough and Magilligan are well documented, it is also believed that Ferguson tested his plane at the site of what is now Ards Airfield.
When the BBC approached Alastair about a year and a half ago with their idea of filming a documentary about Ferguson, which would include flying a replica of the original plane, he recalled how he felt about the prospect. “Strange,” he said. “It’s wood and I said, so long as you’re only involving me in the wood part. They had a drawing at that stage so I knew roughly what was involved. It’s not that unsimilar to boats. You have frames, you stick them together. There are advantages and disadvantages. When I’m building boats I go on automatic because I don’t have to think about it.
With the plane, it’s a bit like billiards. You have to look at it and say, I’m doing this, but what is this going to affect further down the line? It’s interesting; it’s something different. And, I must say, I’m quite enjoying it.”
Although, Alastair admitted there have already been a number of challenges. The first, and most basic of that was getting the right wood, which, after some discussion, was provided to him.
However, once he started working on it, he soon discovered he would have to use his initiative. “There are no original plans,” Alastair said. “From what I can gather, Harry Ferguson marked it out on the floor and said to the men, right, there you are, build it. It must have been a marathon job for the person who drew these.” It will be 22 feet long, with a wing span of 32 feet. The plans were drawn up using a model at a museum as its basis.
However, Alastair pointed out that that model was never meant to fly, and so he had to make a number of changes, which included not only gluing the pieces together but screwing them together too.
The frame took Alastair around four days to complete and he will spend the next week constructing the wings. The steelwork for it will be made Crosby’s in Holywood and the linen will come from Lisburn. Once completed it is hoped the plane will fly this April.
GP14 Ireland 2016 Dates
|
Date |
Event |
Venue |
|
Mar 26-Apr 4 |
World Championship |
Barbados |
|
May 21/22 |
British Inlands |
Bala SC |
|
May 21/22 |
O'Tiarnaigh Challenge & Purcell Trophy |
Swords SBC |
|
June 19/20 |
Coleraine 24 hr Race |
Coleraine YC |
|
June 25/26 |
Ulster Championship |
East Down YC |
|
July 23/24 |
Leinster Championship & Mirror Irish Championship |
Sutton DC |
|
Aug 20-26 |
British Nationals |
Pwllheli Sailing Club |
|
Aug 27/28/29 |
Irish & Masters Championship |
Skerries SC |
|
Sept 24/25 |
Autumn Open & Youth Championship |
Sligo YC |
|
Oct 15/16 |
Hot Toddy |
Blessington SC |
We encourage all sailors to attend as many events as possible. The Goacher sponsored leagues will again be running for 2016.
Due to the Worlds in early part of 2016 we are combining the O'Tiarnaigh Challenge & Purcell Trophy into 1 event.
In 2016 we are again partnering the Mirror fleet with their Irish Championship being held alongside our Leinster Championship in Sutton DC. Some Mirror junior sailors in the past have progressed into GP14s but with RS and Laser boats dominating the junior scene in Ireland it is difficult to get the Mirror juniors to progress into GP14s. There will be more to come on the Mirror partnership.
Also included above are the 2016 World and British championship dates along with the Coleraine 24hr race. The Irish committee would like to encourage a number of GP14 teams to enter the 24hr race in 2016 – we had 2 teams enter last year and took a superb 3rd and 6th position overall. It is a great event and another opportunity to show case our GP14 boats and skills. We would especially like to encourage youth teams and their 24hr race entry fee will be reimbursed by the Irish committee. See the 2015 report on http://www.coleraineyachtclub.co.uk/cyc-24-hour-race/
East Antrim BC - Christmas Regatta
Sunday 27th December - 12.30pm start - 3 races
EABC Regatta - Larne
East Antrim Boat Club Christmas regatta was held on Sunday 27th December. 38 multi fleet dinghies set out in bright sun shine and medium airs.
A number of Barbados bound GP14ers got their boats on the water for 3 good race paced outings.
Locals Curly Morris and Laura McFarland lead the GPers off the start line but got congested in traffic at the windward mark and had to forfeit a 720 penalty to an incoming trapezed 420. This let Stephen & Johnny Nelson into the lead which they carried all the way to the finish with Curly and Laura 2nd, followed by Brian Andrews & John McArthur and Michael Cox & Josh Porter.
Very little break was given by OD Richard Doig which the fleet was thankful for as it gave no time to get too cold.
The fleet were set off in an oscillating breeze and a turning tide. Curly and Laura lead all the way this time with the Nelson brothers taking 2nd. Josh took over the helm and had a good battle around the Olympic course.
By the time the 3rd race was due to start the oscillating breeze had built to the forecasted strong winds and the sailors now had to stretch their muscles a bit further.
A good start by all GP14ers but the Nelsons brothers were in their element and powered both up and downwind. Locals Curly and Laura held on well but the final race went to the Nelsons brothers giving them the overall win of the regatta.
East Antrim Boat Club put on a great regatta and was a superb training event to get the sailors into shape for the GP14 World Championship taking in place in Barbados Easter 2016.
East Antrim BC - Christmas Regatta
Sunday 27th December - 12.30pm start - 3 races
EABC Regatta - Larne
3 races to be held. Multi fleet & mutli starts. First start 12.30pm
All GP14s welcome, especially those wanting/needing training for the worlds in March.
GP14 Worlds - Gate Start Practice - Cancelled due to forecast
28-29 November Sligo YC
Entry Form Information - reduced entry fee ends 30th Nov
http://www.gp14.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2016-Worlds-entry-form-14.11.15.pdf
If this above link does not work, you will find the latest on http://www.gp14.org/events/2016-gp14-world-championship/
Fees - all in US$:
Boat, helm & crew $450 before 30th Nov, $600 after 30th Nov – closing date 30th March 2016
Non sailor over 18 $150
Non sailor 12-18 $75
Non sailor under 12 free
List of entries in the containers
As of 20 Nov 2015
GP14 Ireland Assoc has 3 containers, with 4 empty slots.
For queries please contact Laura - info@gp14ireland.com
|
Name |
Club |
|
Tony Patterson |
Donaghadee Sailing Club |
|
Ivan Heaney |
Donaghadee Sailing Club |
|
James Ogg |
Donaghadee Sailing Club |
|
Neil Boyd |
Donaghadee Sailing Club |
|
Martin Dewes |
Donaghadee Sailing Club |
|
Lawrence Baalham |
Donaghadee Sailing Club |
|
Steven Nelson |
Donaghadee Sailing Club |
|
Maurice Baalham |
Donaghadee Sailing Club |
|
Brenda & Steve Preston |
Ballyronan Boat Club |
|
Michael Cox |
Newtownards Sailing Club |
|
Brian Andrews |
Newtownards Sailing Club |
|
Nigel Sloan |
Newtownards Sailing Club |
|
Robert Gingles |
East Antrim Boat Club |
|
Norman Lee |
Greystones Sailing Club |
|
Newenham de Cogan |
Newtownards Sailing Club |
|
Curly Morris |
Newtownards Sailing Club |
|
JP McCaldin |
Lough Erne Yacht Club |
|
Shane McCarthy |
Greystones Sailing Club |
|
Keith Louden |
TBC |
|
Paddy O'Connor & Brendan Brogan |
Sligo Sailing Club |
|
Simon Cully |
Blessington Sailing Club |
|
John & Donal McGuinness |
Moville Boat Club |
|
Joe Kelly |
Lough Foyle Yacht Club |
GP14 Ireland Dates
Events & Venues
2024
Apr 20/21
Munster Championships
Killaoe Sailing Club
-----
May 18/19
O'Tiarnaigh Trophy
Mullingar Sailing Club
-----
Jun 1/2
Leinster Championships
Howth Yacht Club
-----
Jun 28/29/30
Championship of Ireland
Newtownards Sailing Club
-----
Jul 27/28
Bronze Fleet Bash
Cullaun Sailing Club
-----
Aug 10/16
World Championships
Plas Heli, Wales
-----
Aug 31/Sep 1
Ulster Championships
Carrickfergus Sailing Club
-----
Sep 14/15
Autumn Open & Youth Championships
Sligo Yacht Club
-----
Oct 19/20
Hot Toddy
Lough Erne Yacht Club
Guidance for Operating Fleets and League[...]
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