Six Wins for Kearney and Nelson at GP14 'Hot Toddy' at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club

7th October 2023

Tight racing among the 27 GP14s during the Hot Toddy at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on Belfast Lough Credit: Lindsay Nolan

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

Published in GP14, Northern Ireland Waters, Belfast Lough

Published in GP14

Tagged under

GP14

About The Author

Betty Armstrong

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Betty Armstrong is Afloat and Yachting Life's Northern Ireland Correspondent. Betty grew up racing dinghies but now sails a more sedate Dehler 36 around County Down

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