Last weekend, 27 GP14s gathered at the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on the south shore of Belfast Lough for the first of the Hot Toddy meetings of the 23/24 season.

Dominating the competition were the home crew of Ross Kearney and Daniel Nelson, with six firsts. The next three boats were tied on 23 points, and the fifth boat had 24, so it was all very tight at the top of the fleet.

The first of the six scheduled races saw the fleet (including some wooden versions) get off to a gentle start, with Race Officer Sam Lynas trusting that the forecast breeze would fill in and, indeed, light airs did arrive on time.

Race one got underway with Kearney and Nelson (RNIYC) leading the fleet chased by Ross’s wife Jane and Stephen Nelson (Donaghadee and Newtownards) in what was to be a tight opener. Ross and his crew prevailed, with Nelson second and Conor Twohig from Sutton and Howth third. The second race followed a similar pattern with Kearney and Nelson, and this time in a strong showing from the two northwestern clubs, Keith and Mateo Louden from Lough Foyle YC finished second, with John and Donal McGuiness from Moville BC third.

Racing at the GP14 Hot Toddy at RNIYC Photo: Lindsay Nolan

The last race of the day was shortened as the wind had dropped, and once again, Kearney dominated with another first. Coleman Grimes and Ross Gingles (Skerries YC) were pleased to cross second, with Twohig third.

Going into the second day, Kearney and Nelson were in pole position. The conditions were very different with a strong breeze, but despite the increase in the wind, they yet again led the fleet in Race four and following closely was his wife Jane with Ollie Goodhead as crew.

The Louden brothers finished third. The fifth race followed a similar pattern, Ross being chased down by Jane with Ruan OTiarnaigh and Melanie Morris taking the third slot. Having had five firsts, the Kearney team could have sat the last race out, but being the competitor he is, he wasn’t going to let a clean sweep pass him by, and indeed it was just that. O’Tiarnaigh was second and the Loudens third.

The event was sponsored by Bushmills.

GP14 Hot Toddy prizewinners at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club from left to right Commodore Johnny Miller, Ross Kearney, Daniel Nelson and Gerry Reid, with young Elliot Kearney in front. Photo: Lindsay Nolan

GP14 Hot Toddy at RNIYC Results

The first of the annual GP14 Hot Toddy events listed in the class calendar will be held this weekend (30th September -1st October) at the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on Belfast Lough.

The event originates at East Antrim Boat Club on Larne Lough, but the meet is now hosted by various sailing clubs throughout Ireland.

This year, the organisers are expecting around 30 GP14s. Apart from the Royal North home fleet, visitors are expected from Sutton, Blessington, Howth, Moville, Lough Erne, and Strangford Lough, and at least one boat is making the trip from England.

This will be a highly competitive fleet, with some of the resident boats on home waters expected to do well. However, given the quality of the visitors attending, they will have a tough task.

Six races are scheduled, with three races each day, and the current weather forecast is favourable for both days. Bushmills sponsor the event.

Sutton Dinghy Club, located on Dublin Bay, proudly hosted the GP14 Championship of Ireland. This year, the club put on an impressive show for the class, attracting 37 boats from across the country, including some of the biggest names in Irish Sailing. The event featured three Olympians, including local boy Rob Dickson (Tokyo 2020), who has started to appear for the odd GP14 event, Curly Morris (Munich 1972) and multiple winners and Champions Cup holder Ger Owens (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 & London 2012).

Fireball sailor Chris Bateman from Monkstown Bay, a former Junior Champions Cup winner, also appeared at the event, returning to Sutton, where he won the 2022 Fireball Ulsters to try his hand at the GP14 fleet. Moreover, European Laser Master Champion Sean Craig returned to partner Stephen Boyle again, the pair taking the Munster Championship in early June. The event promised to attract over 40 boats, but back-to-school and college pressures, along with Electric Picnic and illness, ultimately meant the expected number didn't materialize.

Despite this, the three-day Championship took place over a Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the race officer (Jim Lambkin) and his team doing an impressive job, dealing with significant tides and fog, managing to complete eight races over the three days in what looked set to be a very light wind event.

Ruan O'Tiarnaigh (right) leads Sean Craig (centre) and Curly Morris 

The event started on Friday with little hope of sailing, but the fleet was sent out to a building thermal breeze after keeping the fleet onshore for an hour postponement. After a few General recalls and the threat of a black flag, the fleet got underway in the 7-9 knot breeze. The light winds and interesting tides made for some difficult sailing throughout the day.

The 37-boat GP14 fleet approaches a leeward gate at the national championships off Sutton Dinghy Club

On Saturday, the non-existent wind first thing allowed the fleet to wait patiently, knowing that, most likely, the warm weather and blue skies would bring more of the same sea breeze. Three races were completed in lovely conditions, with the race course a little further out in Dublin Bay, allowing for great racing conditions.

GP14s reach to Martello Tower at Red Rock on Dublin Bay

By Sunday, the fleet launched into a stronger sea breeze, to the delight of the slightly heavier crews. The last race of the championship saw Ger/Mel rounding 1st, Ross/Daniel in 2nd, and Jane/Rebekah in 3rd. With the win already secured for Ger/Mel overall, the fight for the podium places was very open. Despite a RET in race 8, Ruan and Charlotte’s consistency earned them a spot on the podium.

Overall, the event was a huge success, with the Sutton Dinghy Club proving to be an excellent host and the GP14 community putting on an impressive show. The Championship showcased the best of Irish sailing, with Olympians and rising stars competing alongside one another. 

2023 GP14 Championship winners Ger Owens and Melanie Morris of the Royal St. George Yacht Club

GP14 Championship Ruan and Charlotte O'Tiarnaight Runner-up & Masters Champions 

GP14 Championship Ross Kearney Race 8 Winner & third place overall

GP14 Championship Sean Craig and Stephen Boyle - Race 5 winners

With seven top-two finishes (and four race wins) from eight races sailed, Ger Owens & Mel Morris took the GP14 National dinghy title in style in a tricky light air championship on Dublin Bay.

Three races on Friday were followed by another three races on Saturday and two on Sunday for the 37-boat fleet.

There were difficult conditions to start with, as Dublin Bay was flat calm. PRO Jim Lambkin kept the fleet ashore under AP for 30 minutes beyond planned start times on the first two days. However, the breeze filled in along the Sutton and Red Rock shore, enabling racing to start....tides and the lack of water in Sutton Creek were also an added consideration as racing extended past 5 pm on Friday. Ger Owens & Mel Morris, with a bullet and two seconds, led Race 1 winners Jane Kearney & Rebekkah O' Tiarnaigh into Day 2 with, Sean Craig & Stephen Boyle, Robert Dickson & Adrian Lee, Ross Kearny & Daniel Nelson and Race 2 winners Chris Bateman & Jame O'Dwyer not too far back in the largest fleet of the year.

Three light air races on Friday were followed by another three races on Saturday and two on Sunday for the 37-boat GP14 Championship fleet

Friday's racing was closely contested by 7 or 8 boats, but ultimately, Ger & Mel taking two bullets from the three races leaves them in an almost unbeatable position. The other podium spots are all to play for, with Ruan & Charlotte O'Tiarnaigh just ahead of Robert Dickson & Adrian Lee, with Race 5 winners Sean Craig & Stephen Boyle in 4th.

Two more races on Sunday allowed a second discard that altered positions in all fleets and on the podium aside from the overall winners.

Niall Henry and Ossian Geraghty from Sligo Yacht Club emerged as the 2023 GP14 Summer Open champions, held at Rush Sailing Club on August 19-20.

The event saw a strong turnout from sailors across the country, including a notable presence from the Blessington Sailing Club. The first day of racing had to be cancelled due to the remnants of storm Betty, but the second day saw two races for both the Youth Championship and the Summer Open.

In the Youths category, last year's runner-up Sam Street and Josh Lloyd from Blessington Sailing Club took the gun in the first race, with local sailor Riaghan Boardman and former Youth champion Colman Grimes coming in second. Max Cully and Tighe Wardell led around the windward mark in the second race but capsized on the last reach, allowing Street and Lloyd to finish first and win the Youth (U22) title. Cully and Wardell took the U19 Championship, while Boardman finished third and took the U16 Championship.

The GP14s racing at Rush Sailing Club with Lambay Island in the background 

Moving on to the Summer Open, strong tides and a crowded start line made for some messy starts at the Committee boat. In both races, Alan Blay and Hugh McNally from Sutton Dinghy Club took two race wins but were disqualified for two OCSs. This left the door open for Niall Henry and Ossian Geraghty to take the championship, with Ger Owens and Mel Morris coming in second. Max and Tighe Wardell, who had a strong performance in the Youths, finished fourth overall in the Summer Open.

Downwind sailing at Rush Sailing Club in the GP14 Summer Open event

The Rush Sailing Club and event organiser Alan Butterly were praised for running a great event despite the challenges posed by the weather.

GP14 Summer Open Champions Niall Henry and Ossian Geraghty, pictured centre, with Andy Johnson of the GP14 Class (left) and Rush Sailing Club event organiser Alan Butterly

GP14 Summer Open Youth Champions Sam Street and Josh Lloyd 

GP14 Summer Open U19 Champions Max Cully and Tighe Wardell 

GP14 Summer Open U16 Champion Riaghan Boardman

The GP14 Championship of Ireland kicks off on September 1-3 at Sutton Dinghy Club, and a fleet of 35 boats is expected.

Results below and youth results here

The 2023 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta attracted 25 GP14s. On Day 1, with big winds forecast, a 24-boat fleet made their way out to the Salthill racecourse with some trepidation. The fact they got three races completed says much for their patience and boat handling, as a 90-minute wait between Race 1 and Race 2 with gusts hitting 25 knots couldn't have been comfortable. But three races were sailed in up to 20+ knots making for a very lively first day of the GP14 Leinster Championships, which was being held as part of VDLR. There were three different race winners, indicative of the conditions and how open this Leinster Championship would turn out.

Sam Wray, with Luke Henderson, took his first race win in a GP14 Ireland Championship event. Race 2 went to Alan Blay & Hugh McNally, with Ger Owens & Mel Morris taking race 3. Greystones Rob Lee was unlucky; after posting a 3rd and a 6th, he crossed first in race three only to find himself OCS.

Sutton Dinghy Club Alan Blay & Hugh McNally led the fleet by a point after the first day of the GP14 Leinster Championships at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Photo: Michael Chester

At the end of Day 1, Sutton Dinghy Club Alan Blay & Hugh McNally led the fleet by a point from Ger Owens & Mel Morris, with another Sutton boat Conor Twohig & Matthew Cotter in 3rd only one point further back. Alan and Hugh counted a win in Race 2, along with a 2nd and a 4th, while Conor & Matthew had a 5th and a pair of 2nds.

Sam Street and Josh Lloyd Race earned a race win at the GP14 Leinsters at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Photo: Michael Chester

Day 2 dawned; conditions were far more comfortable for the fleet but still saw plenty of breeze. Race 4 saw the fleet contending with 16 knots gusting 23+ at times but this didn't stop the emerging Youth coming through with Sam Street & Josh Llyod from Blessington, who only had their first Championship race win at the Ulsters in Larne a few weeks ago taken the bullet. Alan Blay & Hugh McNally taking a 4th, Ger Owens & Mel Morris in 5th and Conor Twohig & Matthew Cotter taking 3rd, that will move them up to 5th behind Sam Wray. Rob Lee showed his form finishing 2nd and would move into contention after discards kick in.

Sutton's Conor Twohig and Matthew Cotter go downwind at the GP14 Leinsters at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Photo: Michael Chester

Race 5 saw Ger Owens & Mel Morris take the bullet to leap into 1st on countback from Sutton Dinghy Club Conor Twohig & Matthew Cotter who posted a 2nd and wre having a blinder. 3rd went to Paddy O' Connor who looks like he is finding his feet after rejoing the fleet with a new boat this year. Overnight leader Alan Blay & Hugh McNally lay 3rd overall after another consistent 4th place. Keith & Matteo Louden took 5th with Hugh Gill & Richard Street 6th.

The gusty offshore breeze on the VDLR Salthill racecourse meant conditions could be very manageable for the GP14s (as above) or...Photo: Michael Chester....flat out fast downwind...or....Photo: Michael Chester... just a little too much at times....Photo: Michael Chester

Race 6 and the final race of Day 2 ended with a 3 way tie at the top with Ger Owens & Mel Morris, Alan Blay & Hugh McNally and Conor Twohig & Matthew Cotter all on 14 points. On a sad day for Sligo Yacht Club, with the passing of GP14 legend Gus Henry, Sligos Sam Wray & Luke Henderson took their 2nd victory of the event ahead of Movilles John & Donal McGuinness with Sutton Dinghy Club boats, Alan Blay & Hugh McNally in 3rd and Hugh Gill & Richard Street 4th. Lough Foyle Yacht Club James Peter Hockley & Alan Thompson racing for the first time this season were 5th. Condition were brisk with big gusts but also saw the fleet fall foul to big shifts in the wind and some big holes. With 2 more race to finish on Sunday this Leinster Championship was still up for grabs with discards likely to be key.

(Above and below) The GP14 Leinsters was sailed on the VDLR Salthill racecourse in the west of Dublin Bay Photo: Michael Chester

Race 7 on the Sunday started in pouring rain down but with a nice SSE 14 knots wind gusting low 20s. The race saw the 3 way tie protagonists take the top 3 spots with Ger Owens & Mel Morris taking the gun. Alan Blay & Hugh McNally were 2nd and Conor Twohig & Matthew Cotter were 3rd. Movilles John & Donal McGuinness were 4th with Hugh Gill & Richard Street 4th. It was now all down to the last race with 1 point separting the leaders. 

Race 8 and the final race of the Regatta Champions was won by Rob Lee with John & Donal McGuinness 2nd. A 3rd place for Ger Owens & Mel Morris ahead of Alan Blay & Hugh McNally in third was enough to secure the Volvo DL Regatta and Leinster Championship for Ger & Mel their 3rd Leinsters in a row. This was one that went to the very last with Ger & Mel only overhauling Alan & Hugh on the last leg to give them victory.

Sutton Dinghy Clubs Alan Blay & Hugh McNally were 2nd overall with fellow Club crew Conor Twohig & Matthew Cotter securing 3rd after a superb event.

Another great Volvo DL Regatta for the GP14 Ireland fleet saw the Classes emerging Youth continue to take race wins in Championship events. The event saw GP14 boats travel from across the country with crews from Tralee and Cullaun in Munster, Larne, Lough Foyle, Moville and Newtownards in Ulster, Sligo in the West in addition to 'local' boats from Greystones, Dun Laoghaire, Sutton and Skerries. Some new boats and returning GP14 stalwarts in attendance all made for a great weekend. The big winds also made for a change as its a long time since we had a full days with strong breeze.

Ger Owens and Mel Morris, Race 4 and overall winners of the GP14 Leinsters at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta

Alan Blay and Hugh McNally Race 2 winners of the GP14 Leinsters at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta

Sam Street and Josh Lloyd Race winners in the GP14 Leinsters at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta

Sam Wray and Luke Henderson Race 1 winners in the GP14 Leinsters at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta

A big shout out to Blessington's Richard Street, who, having endured a very hard day's racing on Friday, jetted back to Blessington for some fibreglass and tools and then worked well into the night to make sure that Jennifer & Laras Newtownaeds boat Boatzart Blues could take to the water after being majorly holed during Friday's racing.

Congratulations to other GP14 sailors competing in other fleets, with Shane MacCarthy to the fore in Flying Fifteen and Josh Porter, Adrian Lee and Ossian Geraghty taking 1st and 2nd in the Fireballs.

Next up, there will be a number of the GP14 fleet heading to Looe for the British GP14 Nationals 5-11 August, including Curly Morris, Alan Blay & Hugh McNally, Conor Twohig & Mathew Cotter, Hugh Gill & Richard Street and Ross & Jame Kearney.

The next GP14 Ireland Class event is the Summer Open & Youth Championship in Rush on 19/20 August.

The Irish GP14 fleet made the trip to the southwest corner of Ireland to Tralee Bay Sailing Club in Fenit for the 2023 GP14 Munster Championships on the 17th/18th of June.

It was the first time the fleet had been to Fenit in over 40 years.

Twenty-six teams took part in the championship and, on arrival, were greeted with the impressive backdrop of the Kerry Mountains & the Golden Sandy Beaches of Tralee Bay, a spectacular location to host a championship.

Twenty-six teams raced in the GP14 Munster Championship on Tralee Bay

Day 1 of the event arrived with plenty of sunshine & blue skies, with the wind funnelling through the valleys of the far shore, although a forecast which could only be described as variable. PRO John Leech got race 1 away in 7-8 knots of breeze & a flooding tide. A pin-end biased start line saw many of the front runners battle it out for an early advantage. Ger Owens & Mel Morris rounded the weather mark first, followed closely by Sean Craig & Stephen Boyle, along with JP & Carolyn McCaldin in hot pursuit. Ger & Mel held their lead throughout the race and took out race 1, Sean & Stephen in 2nd, and Colman Grimes & Ross Gingles in 3rd.

Sean Craig and Colman Grimes cross tacks on Tralee Bay

PRO John Leech intended to run the races off in quick succession, although this plan was quickly halted by the arrival of the thunder & lightning rolling over the hills above. The fleet was sent in the direction of shore immediately & with a yellow weather warning issued for Co.Kerry; racing was then cancelled for the day.

GP14 Munster Championships PRO John Leech at work on Tralee Bay

With the fleet now safely onshore, it was time for everyone to enjoy some music & food laid on by Tralee Bay Sailing Club.

There were some calms during racing at the GP14 Munster Championship on Tralee Bay like this at the start of race four on day two

Day 2 arrived with ominous-looking skies & further yellow weather warnings for the area. Nevertheless, racing proceeded with caution & a race course was positioned on the South Side of the Great Samphire Island. Racing began shortly after 10 am with a revised race course which included a (sausage, triangle, and sausage) which helped add to the complexity of the day.

After several attempts due to a shifting breeze, race 2 got underway in an outgoing tide with differences in wind pressure scattered across the race course. Norman Lee & Stephen Lynch took the win, Sean Craig & Stephen Boyle 2nd with Ross Kearney & Daniel Nelson in 3rd.

Sean & Stephen took the bullet in race 3, followed by Ross & Daniel, with Ger & Mel in 3rd.

Race 4 began with a softening breeze, quickly becoming a drifter shortly after the start. The race was shortened to one lap in the end & went to the ever-consistent Sean & Stephen, with JP & Carolyn McCaldin sliding into 2nd with Ross & Daniel taking 3rd Place.

The silver fleet was won by Sam Wray & Luke Henderson of Sligo Yacht Club. The bronze fleet was won by Charlie Keating & Ollie Lloyd of Blessington Sailing Club. The youth fleet was won by the fast-improving Sam Street & Josh Lloyd.

Congratulations to the 2023 GP14 Munster Champions Sean Craig & Stephen Boyle, who navigated the tricky race course superbly & posted a consistent scorecard of 2,2,1,1.

Tralee Bay Sailing Club's Anthony Clifford presents the winners Sean Craig (centre) and Stephen Boyle (right) the GP14 Munster Championship trophy
 Ger Owens & Mel Morris presented with the Race 1 Trophy at the GP14 Munster Championship on Tralee Bay

Race two winner Norman Lee

The O'Tiarnaigh Family at Tralee Bay

The next event on the GP14 Calendar is the Leinster Championships which is incorporated into the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, which takes place on 7th / 9th July 2017.

While most of the country seemed to have little or no wind, with many races and events cancelled, East Antrim Boat Club managed to get all six races of this year's GP14 Ulster Championship completed.

The event attracted 30 GP14s with seemingly no hangover from the 2022 Skerries Worlds. There were a number of new boats in the fleet and some old friends returning to enjoy the competitive racing.

PRO Richard Doig managed four races on Saturday in light conditions made more tricky with the tides in Larne Lough with four different race winners.

Sam Street and Josh Lloyd were First Time Race Winners at the GP14 Ulster Championships at East Antrim Boat Club

Amongst them were the Blessington Youth crew, Sam Street & Josh Lloyd, taking their first-ever race win. An amazing result considering the calibre of some of their opponents, including Shane MacCarthy, Ross Kearney, Olympian Curly Morris, last year's leading Irish Worlds helm Colman Grimes and top Flying Fifteen helm Hammy Baker. Ross Kearney, Shane MacCarthy and Alan Blay were the other Day one race winners.

Andy Thompson (left) and Shane MacCarthy were runners-up in the GP14 Ulster Championships at East Antrim Boat Club

Sunday saw two races, with Shane & Andy Thompson and Ross & Daniel Nelson taking the wins in better wind conditions. Overall Ross Kearney & Daniel Nelson tied with Shane MacCarthy & Andy Thompson but took the Ulster Championship title on count-back while Alan Blay & Hugh McNally maintained a consistent day to hold on to third place.

Alan Blay & Hugh McNally were third overall in the GP14 Ulster Championships at East Antrim Boat Club

Silver Fleet
1st Michael Cox & Josh Porter (Newtownards SC)
2nd Sam Street & John Lloyd (Blessington SC)
3rd Simon Cully & Libby Tierney (BLESSINGTON sc)

Bronze Fleet
1st Robbie Richardson & Colin Watson (East Down YC)
2nd Adam& Emilyy Torrens (Lough Erne YC)
3rd Mac Cully & Tighe Wardell (Blessington YC)

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. 

This year's running was particularly challenging, with an almost complete lack of wind and a 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.

Curly Morris & Meg Tyrell in action at the GP14 O’Tiarnaigh Challenge at Blessington Sailing Club

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 on 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 six 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 on 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 favourable 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 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 an opportunity for another 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 the 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 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 & Adrian 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 leeward 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 halfway 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 4th, Ross & Daniel 5th, Ruan & Tasha dropping to 8th and Niall & Oisin hopes dashed entirely with a 15th.

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 4th on 29pts.

Ger Owens & Mel Morris at the O’Tiarnaigh GP14 Challenge at Blessington Sailing Club

Ruan O’Tiarnaigh with daughter Natasha at the O’Tiarnaigh GP14 Challenge at Blessington Sailing Club

Ross Kearney and Daniel Nelson at the O’Tiarnaigh GP14 Challenge at Blessington Sailing Club

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 committee 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 of events across the country. Next is the Ulsters in Larne, followed by trips to Tralee Bay, The Volvo at Dun Laoghaire, 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.

Joe Devitt

Race Officer Gerry Reid and the race team at RNIYC must be on good terms with the weather Gods as the snow melted away to leave a dry, almost balmy ten degrees and a steady(ish) force three building to a nice f4 at the RNIYC GP14 Spring Series After Round Three on Belfast Lough.

Despite the absence of front runners O’Tairnaigh and Nelson, the fleet remained in double figures thanks to Conor Twohig and Matthew Connor who made the journey from Dublin to emphasise the growing popularity of this excellent series.

With the rugby in mind, Race 1 was rescheduled to get underway ten minutes early over a windward leeward course. Ross Kearney and Daniel Nelson stayed left and were first to the weather mark, Michael Cox and Josh Porter, together with Jane Kearney and Rebekah O’Tairnaigh enjoyed a good second beat to secure second and third places ahead of father and son team, Keith and Matteo Louden.

Lining up for a start in the third round of the RNIYC GP14 Spring Series on Belfast Lough Photo: Calum Dalzel

Race 2 produced the most exciting first beat of the day and a hectic battle for the first mark. Patrick Hamilton and Hana Stolkova, rounded narrowly ahead of Curly Morris and Rachael Stewart, separated by a coat of varnish from Ross and Daniel, who squeezed in ahead of Michael and Josh. The runs provided opportunities for tactical racing, while the left side of the beats became progressively more favourable, this allowed Ross and Dan to take the win from Michael and Josh, just ahead of Patrick and Hana in third.

A downwind leg in race three of the RNIYC GP14 Spring Series on Belfast Lough Photo: Calum Dalzel

Race 3 started in a building breeze, Michael and Josh going up the middle to round ahead of Conor and Matthew, closely followed by Ross and Daniel. A late gybe by Michael and Josh dropped them to third and set the scene for what was to be the most exciting finish of the day, with the final run being a tense affair. Coming to the gate Conor and Matthew were fighting to hold a slim lead over Ross and Daniel on the approach to the left-hand mark, with Michael and Josh a couple boat lengths behind and just ahead of Jane and Rebekah who were closing swiftly. Sensing a crush at the mark, Michael went right to preserve his third place. Conor and Matthew kept their nerves to hold onto the win. Jane and Rebekah had a cracking rounding to reverse the Kearney household placings and secure a well-earned second place. A special mention should go to Charlie Valentine, making his series debut as crew for Jennifer Bryce and keeping everything the right way up in testing conditions.

Keith and Matteo Louden go downwind in race three of the RNIYC GP14 Spring Series on Belfast Lough Photo: Calum Dalzel

A combination of absences together with a second discard has delivered changes to series standings as the fleet breaks for half term. Ross Kearney retains a commanding lead ten points ahead of Cox. O’Tairnaigh, one point adrift in third place, will be keen to revise the standings upon his return, as will Nelson with Hamilton still in the running. The series resumes at 13.00 on 26th March.

GP14 Spring Series 2023 Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club (Results as at 16:43 on March 12, 2023)