With the vibrant support of “8 Ball's” Des MacMahon, Killaloe Sailing Club enthusiastically hosted the esteemed GP14 Munster Championships. The club's warm hospitality matched the sunny weather, drawing 27 teams from across Ireland to experience the competition, and charm of sailing on Lough Derg. For most, it was their first time at the venue, while a couple of returning sailors enjoyed exploring the club's new and exceptional facilities.  The fortune-teller Des had predicted warm smiles, blue skies, green mountains and sparkling waters, now it was over to the fleet to predict the game of “snakes and ladders” that was to unfold.

Despite forecasts of near-calm conditions, Aoife Lyon our Race Officer manged to orchestrate all six planned races, with a wise decision to complete four races on the Saturday. Ger Owens and Melanie Morris seasoned champions,  of Wicklow Sailing Club and East Antrim Boat Club, secured victory in the Irish GP14 calendar's first event with an impressive three first-place finishes on day one, bravely navigating the challenging and what Ger later described as “sadistic” conditions that tested the fleet's resilience.  The other race winner was Blessingtons Simon Cully & Libby Tierney. 

With a very light forecast, the fleet were held ashore till after midday before being called onto the lake. The fleet had a number of false starts before the black flag was introduced for race 5. Another superb start from young David Evans and William Draper saw them battle Ger and Mel for 2 laps with the lead changing a couple of times. The young Sligo sailor held his nerve and took his first race win in the the senior fleet. Entering the final race of the event, scores remained tight between the pairings of Alan Blay and Hugh McNally (Sutton Dinghy Club / Howth Yacht Club) on 15 points, Sean Craig and Stephen Boyle (Royal St George’s Yacht Club / Sutton Dinghy Club) on 16, Coleman Grimes and Ross Gingles (Skerries / Derwent Reservoir Sailing Clubs) on 17 and David Evans and William Draper (Sligo Yacht Club) on 18. The final race would be the decider for the remaining podium spots, and with more pressure filling in from the right David Evans and William Draper led the charge and gained enough separation from the competition to claim 3rd place behind Sam Street & Josh Lloyd and Ger & Mel and jump into second place overall; concluding a great series for them highlighted by that first-place finish in race five. Third place was claimed by the duo of Coleman Grimes and Ross Gingles of Skerries and Derwent Reservoir Sailing Clubs, making their debut in the new black boat. 

The impressive demonstration of talent and camaraderie, especially by the youth sailors who had been refining their skills at the E Howard-Davies GP14 Youth Training Week held in Plas Heli over the Easter break was noteworthy. Among them, David Evans & William Draper (Sligo Yacht Club) and Sam Street and Josh Lloyd (Blessington Sailing Club), showcased remarkable awareness in Races 5 & 6 respectively, adeptly seizing the subtle zephyrs to secure victory in that race.

In the Silver fleet, the top three spots were secured by David Evans and William Draper (Sligo Yacht Club), Simon Cully and Libby Tierney (Blessington Sailing Club), who also clinched a win in race two, demonstrating their exceptional skill in utilizing momentum and seizing the opportunities presented by the port flyer, and Tadhg O'Loingsigh and Eimer Moriarty of Tralee Bay Sailing Club. The Bronze fleet saw East Down Yacht Club’s Robbie Richardson and Nathan Telford securing first place, followed by Daithi and Arann Murphy of Tralee Bay Sailing Club in second, and Riaghan Boardman and Maedbh Butterly of Rush Sailing Club in third.

A sincere thank you extends to the hospitable club, Commodore Anne Gleeson, Sailing Secretary Eoin Enright and its dedicated volunteers for ensuring a memorable and enjoyable weekend. Killaloe's warm welcome made it the perfect setting to kick off the 2024 season's first event and, for many, their first sail of the year. The fleet eagerly awaits its return! 

Next Event is the O'Tiarnaigh Challenge, May 18/19, Mullingar Sailing Club.