The 2017 GP14 Irish Nationals were held on 19th-21st August at Ballyholme Yacht Club. 29 boats competed which included one visiting team from the UK – John Hayes, an ex 470 campaigner from Southport who was sailing with Joel James. Overall numbers were down a bit on previous years due to a number of mitigating factors. However those unable to attend missed a superb event with a wide range of conditions, superb race management, excellent hospitality and exceptionally close racing.

Chief measurer Jimmy McKee was in attendance on Friday night & Saturday morning to scrutineer and weigh boats. The forecast for Saturday was borderline and the fleet were held ashore initially for an hour or so to allow the wind to subside. When the fleet did eventually take to the water, the lull in conditions proved to be only temporary. Shortly after the start of race one, the committee boat began recording gusts of 30 knots. The ensuing white knuckle race saw Shane MacCarthy & Damian Bracken winning from Sligo’s Niall Henry & Ossian Geraghty with Sutton sailors Alan Blay & David Johnston 3rd. With only 15 boats finishing and conditions refusing to abate, the race committee made the sensible decision to send the fleet home after a single race. Once ashore competitors enjoyed a superb bar-b-que where the famous Ballyholme rib-eye steaks lived up to all of the pre–event hype.

The forecast for the second day of racing could not have been more different to the first. This time, conditions looked borderline on the light side, with even the most optimistic forecasts predicting gusts of just 7 knots. Nevertheless, with a race to make up the race committee sent the fleet out and after a hour or so floating around the breeze did eventually appear. Niall & Ossain took first blood in the challenging conditions winning the opening race from English visitors John Hayes & Joel James. The right hand side of the beats seemed to be consistently paying in the ebbing tide but getting out there through the various holes & shifts was’t completely straightforward! Ger Owens & Melanie Morris found a way though, knocking in 2 bullets in race 3 and 4 from Alan Blay & David Johnsson and Keith Louden & Alan Thompson respectively. Silver fleet sailors Doire Shiels & Andrew Sexton also had a good day, recording a 7th and a 3rd to take control of the silver fleet. After a long day on the water, the race committee decided the fleet had had enough after 3 races and the fleet returned home.

2017 GP14 Prize Winners at Ballyholme Yacht Club

The Irish GP14 AGM was held on Sunday evening and saw Stephen Boyle step down after 3 years as class president. David Cooke takes over as the new president and no doubt will strive to continue the excellent progress made over the past few years as the class builds towards a 2020 World Championships in his home club. Following the AGM, many of the sailors gathered in the nearby Jamaica Inn with a surprise birthday cake for class stalwart Hugh Gill who is celebrating another big one!

With 3 races scheduled for the final days sailing, and just 2 points separating the top four boats the championship was wide open. Race 5 saw Shane & Damien record their second race win from John & Joel. Race 6 and another race winner, this time John & Joel taking line honours with Keith Louden & Alan Thompson in second position. So going into the final race the championship was set for one of the closest finishes in recent years with Ger & Mel holding a narrow one point lead but Shane & Damian, John & Joel and Nial & Ossian all still in with a real chance of overall victory.

In the end however, Ger & Mel held held their nerve and won the last race and with it, the overall event. Doire Shiels & Andrew Sexton won the Silver fleet finishing in 10th overall while Sutton’s Shane MacLoughlin & Rory Murdoch won the bronze fleet. Top youths were Gareth & Richard Gallagher in 12th position overall.

As the GP14 British Nationals moves into its final day today, the fallout from Black Flag Monday continued with many seeking and getting redress for leeward caught BFD, as the pin boat was not anchored writes Andy Johnston

On the racing side yesterday plenty of windshifts at start resulted in big winners and losers as boats got on the wrong side of the course. The biggest movers from an Irish perspective were Sutton Dinghy Clubs Hugh Gill & Conor Twohig and Lough Foyles Bill & James Johnson. The Sutton Dinghy Club duo have moved up another 2 places to 15th, while a superb 9 & 10 in todays racing saw the Johnson father and son pairing charge up to 18th and are now leading the Silver fleet. This is a great performance from these Irish fleet regulars.

Former Champions Mike Senior and Ian Dobson remain 1st and 2nd and will surely fight it out for the title. Despite an 18 point gap between 2nd and 3rd, a good result tomorrow and the second discard could bring Fergus Barnham back into the reckoning.

Current World Champion and defending British Champions Shane MacCarthy & Andy Thompson (Greystones) retain 4th place, but before second discard are now only 2 points behind Fergus Barnham in 3rd. The Irish pair realistically need some very good results and for the GP14 Leinsters & Volvo DLR winner Barnham to have a poor day. This will be a battle tomorrow for sure.

Other results saw Donal & John McGuinness (Moville) slip to 8th while consistency keeps Keith Louden & Alan Thomson in 10th. A 7 today in race 6 helping Curly Morris & Laura Farland up into 14th.
The Newtownards pairing of Michael Cox & Rebecca Jeffrey posted their best results of the event with a pair of 11's to move to 28th.

Midfleet results saw the Gallagher brothers and Peter & Stephen Boyle drop a few places after great day on Tuesday.

Helming in his first Championship and gaining invaluable experience, Newtownards Josh Porter with Sarah Coleman lie 43rd.

#GP14 - Defending champions Shane MacCarthy and Andy Thompson of Greystones lead the Irish charge in fourth, with Moville’s McGuinness brothers in sixth, after three days of sailing in the GP14 British Nationals at Looe in Cornwall.

Meanwhile, things got off to a better start on day three yesterday (Tuesday 8 August) for Sutton Dinghy Club’s two crews after a black Monday.

Peter Boyle (with father Stephen) and Hugh Gill (with Conor Twohig) found themselves among the 26 black-flagged competitor’s across that day’s two races.

Tuesday saw more positive results. Peter Boyle, a Silver fleet entry and one of the youngest helms competing, managed a 12 and 14 in yesterday’s races – enough for the Boyles to pull themselves right up the field to 28th.  

Hugh Gill, meanwhile, managed a superb ninth along with a 20th to move up to 17th overall. 

With today (Wednesday 9 August) a rest day, there will be two more races on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 August to close out the week. 

In other Irish placings at Looe, Keith Louden and Alan Thomson (Sligo Yacht Club) lie 10th with Curly Morris and Laura McFarland (East Antrim Boat Club/Newtownards Sailing Club) in 16th.

Bill and James Johnson from Lough Foyle Yacht Club lie 24th with the Lough Foyle youth pairing of Gareth and Richard Gallagher not far behind at 26th.

With two bullets on Tuesday, Mike Senior (with Chris White) leads Ian Dobson (with Andy Tunnicliffe) and Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta winner Fergus Barnham (with Andy Hunter) in the podium positions.

The GP14 British Nationals got underway yesterday at Looe in Cornwall and two Sutton Dinghy Club crews on the start line. Traditionally the first day sees a practice race followed by the first of nine Championship races. Hugh Gill & Conor Twohig are 18th and Peter Boyle and Stephen Boyle are 21 in the 65–boat fleet.

The race was won by former World Champion Ian Dobson with Greystones Sailing Club's Shane MacCarthy, fifth, leading the ten Irish entries. Two more races are scheduled today.

Other Irish placings:

John & Donal McGuinness (Moville) 6th,
Keith Louden & Andy Thompson (Sligo) 16th,
Curly Morris & Laura Thompson (EABC/NSC) 24th,
Gareth & Richard Gallagher (Lough Foyle) 29th,
Bill & James Johnson (Lough Foyle 37th)
Michael Cox & Rebecca Jeffrey (45th)

The GP14 fleet returned to Dun Laoghaire for a most enjoyable three day Leinster Championship at the 475–boat Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta where 27 GP14s competed, for the various honours over the full complement of 8 races. With both World Champion, Shane McCarthy, and Olympian, Ger Owens entered, there was much discussion as to who would win out. However the bookies would have had a field day as the championship was won in a most emphatic fashion, by visiting UK sailors Fergus Burnham and Andy Hunter from Snettisham Beach and Nantwich sailing clubs.

All was not as it appeared however, as Ger Owens took the unusual role of crewing for his good friend and former Olympic crew Ross Killian. 

Friday saw the fleet on the South Bull race course with Barnham/Hunter laying down an early marker in Race 1, by pulling away to establish an early lead with Keith Louden and crew Alan Thompson signalling their intent by notching a definite second. Norman Lee showed a good turn of speed to sail into third place. Silver fleet sailor, young Peter Boyle crewed by his dad Stephen sailed a great race to slot into fifth place.

Race 2 threw up a great surprise with the first four rounding the weather mark heading off for the outer loop not realising that the inner loop was the correct course. Not quite believing what was unfolding in from of him, and ready to take full advantage ,was Hugh Gill and Conor Twohig who promptly led the rest of the fleet back down the run on the inner loop and went on to take the gun, followed home by the up and coming young guns of Sutton Dinghy Club, Alan Blay & David Johnston in second place, with Louden & Thompson taking third. This left the favourites slightly embarrassed and determined to do better. The final race of the day finally saw Shane McCarthy & Damien Bracken unleash their potential, and left the fleet looking at their transom as they took the bullet with Blay & Johnston showing early consistency by again taking second, and Barham & Hunter not letting go by taking third. Beer, food, sunshine and happy sailors on the deck at the Royal St George YC afterwards, lent a very Mediterranean atmosphere to the entire weekend!

Saturday ‘s forecast was for very light breezes but a good steady breeze blew all day long, providing great racing for the fleet. The highlight of the day was the three wins recorded by UK pairing of Barnham and Hunter, firmly establishing them in an unassailable position after 6 races. Gill and Louden took a second each with Lawrence Baalham and Robbie Richardson surprising all, by rounding the weather mark in fourth place and finishing the race in second place. The lads are still smiling! Blay & Johnson maintained their pace by notching a 4th and 3rd leaving them in second place with 2 races to go followed by McCarthy and Bracken in 3rd with Gill & Twohig in 4th overnight and all to play for.

In the Silver Fleet, the Boyles held a commanding lead on Saturday evening in front of the Gallagher brothers from Lough Foyle and Doire Shiels and Graham Burns from Skerries.
There was a great battle going on in the Bronze fleet with only 4 points separating the three contenders: Mathew Street from Blessington, Jack Buttimer from Youghal and Martin & Vicki Dews from Donaghadee in that order.

The fleet moved to the Salthill course on Sunday, and were treated to the close up sight of the Moth dinghies up on their foils and racing at incredible speeds in comparison to the comparably rather sedate speed of the regular classes. Quite spectacular! Well, the boys from the UK decided to do a bit of sightseeing around the bay and cruised to a leisurely 4th & 6th in the 2 races which they proceeded to discard, becoming worthy Leinster Championship winners. Keith Louden and Alan Thompson clocked in a very smart 1st & 5th to jump from 5th overall to 2nd overall – a great performance with Gill & Twohig surprising themselves to finish third in the Championship with a 6th & 3rd.

Consistent performer of the day was surely Curly Morris and Laura McFarlane who racked up a 3rd and 2nd.

In the Silver Fleet, Sunday saw Peter & Stephen score steadily. But in the last race Gareth & Richard Gallagher threw caution to the wind, started at the pin and steadily drew away to a convincing win which lays down a marker for the future. These are boys to watch when they get the consistency sorted.

Martin & Vicki Dews took a closely fought Bronze fleet by taking a 13th in the last race which saw them win by a mere 2 points from Mathew Street who was on equal points with Jack Buttimer.

Peter Boyle continues to show promise among the youngsters in the fleet and in finishing 7th overall was the leading Youth sailor and so is the new GP 14 Leinster Youth Champion for 2017.

A great Championship sailed in great conditions by a great fleet of sailors and friends. Long may it continue.

Gold Fleet:
1. Fergus Barnham & Andy Hunter - Snettisham Beach and Nantwich Sailing Clubs
2. Keith Louden & Alan Thompson – The Irish Sailing Association
3. Hugh Gill & Conor Twohig – Sutton Dinghy Club

Silver Fleet:
1. Peter & Stephen Boyle – Sutton Dinghy Club
2. Gareth & Richard Gallagher – Lough Foyle Yacht Club
3. Doire Shiels & Graham Burns – Skerries Sailing Club

Bronze Fleet:
1. Martin & Vicki Dews – Donaghadee Sailing Club
2. Mathew Street & Rionn O’Hailaigh– Blessington Sailing Club
3. Jack Buttimer & Adam McDonagh – Youghal Sailing Club

Full results here

The GP14 Ulster Championships took place over the weekend. The fleet were welcomed back to Newtownards Sailing Club by Michael Cox who organised an outstanding event. It felt more like Barbados than the Ards peninsula as we had the most glorious sunshine and temperatures in the mid-twenties all weekend writes Ossian Geraghty

On Saturday the wind was 10-15 Knots but moved several times during racing by up to 60 degrees at times, causing major headaches for PRO Ruan O’Tiarnaigh, who as we expected rose to the challenge and got three excellent full races sailed. Saturday's racing was dominated by Shane McCarthy crewed by Damien Bracken (Greystones Sailing Club) taking three bullets with the main scrap happening behind for second place.

On Sunday we had two additions to the fleet, JP and Carolyn McCaldin (LEYC/SYC) and Ger Owens crewed by Melanie Morris (RStGYC). Ger & Melanie turned up to embarrass the rest of the fleet with their performance on Sunday, winning all three races. In fact they were that far ahead the discussion in our boat centered around a scene from Father Ted, “Is that a small boat Ted? No its just far away”. It is high time Ger/Melanie shared their light weather upwind speed techniques with the rest of the fleet because it can’t be any fun being that far in front.

In race 2 on Sunday, the Gallagher brothers from Moville passed six boats from the first Windward mark and sailed through Shane McCarthy/Damien Braken and Alan Blay/David Johnson (SDYC) at the top of the fleet as though they were first stagers. The Gallagher’s are the boat to watch, up and coming stars, promotion to the Gold Fleet being a distinct possibility.

Overall winners of the weekend were McCarthy/Bracken, with Alan Blay/David Johnson second and Niall Henry/Ossian Geraghty (Sligo Yacht Club) in third overall.

No surprise that Gareth and Richard Gallagher took overall honours in the Silver Fleet also winning the Ulsters Youth event. Daire Shiels and Andrew Sexton (Skerries Sailing Club) took second overall in the silver fleet putting in a very consistent set of results over the weekend, with Peter Boyle crewed by General Pinochet, aka dad, in third.

In the Bronze Fleet, Josh & Catherine Porter (Newtownards Sailing Club) had to slug it out Geoff and Jane Murdoch also (NSC) with the Porters ultimately winning the Bronze Fleet.

A special thanks from the GP14 Class Association of Ireland to Newtownards Sailing Club, especially to organiser in chief, Michael Cox, PRO Ruan O’Tiarnaigh but also to all the volunteers who gave up their time in preparation and during the event, allowing all of us to go mess around in boats.

The next event on the GP14 Calendar is the Leinster Championships which is incorporated into the Dun Laoghaire Regatta, which takes place on 8th / 9th July 2017. The GP14 Class Association are looking forward to seeing you all there.

The Purcell Trophey 2017 was hosted by Greystones Sailing Club in their east coast new harbour and clubhouse at County Wicklow. After an hours wait on Saturday morning for the mist to clear the 26–strong GP14 fleet finally launched.

Race 1 got underway with a clean start and no recall (unusual in this fleet). Ger Owens & Mel Morris were back in business with a win, Shane McCarthy & Damian Bracken taking second with Alan Blay & David Johnston in third.

Race 2 started with the wind starting to build. Shane and Damian took the win with Ger & Mel in second and John & Donal McGuiness in third.

Race 3 started with gusts of winds of 26–knots. Alan & David retired with gear failure. Ger & Mel continued to dominate and brought home their second win for the day. Shane & Damian picked up an OCD so Colman Grimes & Eoin Boyle came home in second with Alistar Duffin & Andy Corkhill in third.

Race 4 started on Sunday morning with lighter winds and sunshine, Ger & Mel once again on form with another win and Alan & David with their boat repaired took 2nd just ahead of Shane & Damian in 3rd.

Race 5 was a closely fought battle between Ger & Mel and Shane & Damian with Ger & Mel winning and Shane & Damian close behind in 2nd. Simon Culley & Libby Tierney pulled off a fantastic move on the downward leg by going close to the shore and took 3rd place.

Race 6 was cancelled as the wind died.

So the gold fleet was won by Ger & Mel.

The silver fleet was dominated by the Gallagher brothers, sailing well once again.

The bronze fleet was won by Josh Porter & Sina Hartman in their first event.

Results downloadable below.

The Riocard O’Tiarnaigh GP14 Challenge 2017 was hosted by Swords Sailing Club on Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th April. 17 boats from as far north as Moville and south as Dungarvan, attended despite the challenging forecast which proved to be accurate.

All boats launched and race one was started on time. Conditions looked fine from shore but once on the race course it was a very different story and most competitors tested the water temperature at least once throughout the day.

Bronze, Silver and Gold fleets each sailed in separate flights with 4 boats in the bronze, 5 in silver and 8 in gold.

Race one was won by Sam Wray & Michael Broaders, Sligo YC, in the bronze fleet from Martin & Vicky Dews, Donahadee SC, Bill & James Johnson, Lough Foyle YC, in the silver and Shane McCarthy & Damian Bracken did a horizon job and showed the gold fleet a clean pair of heels. There was a lot of place changing with the McGuiness brothers eventually taking 2nd place and the McCaldins in 3rd.

Race two was quickly started although some competitors chose to head for the shore. No finishers in the bronze fleet, the Johnsons again dominated the silver fleet. In the gold fleet 3 of the top 4 boats capsized within 5 boat lengths of the weather mark, allowing Hugh Gill & Conor Twohig, Sutton DC, to take a clear race win with Keith Louden & Alan Thompson also staying upright to take 2nd. The McCaldins recovered from their swim to take 3rd.

After lunch ashore a depleted fleet reluctantly relaunched to find the conditions even more challenging on the race course. 3 short races were sailed.

Two 1sts in the bronze fleet saw Blessington SC’s Matthew Street & Lee McMullan take a single point victory from Sam Wray & Michael Broaders.

One 1st and two 2nds saw the Johnsons take the silver fleet from Stephen & Peter Boyle, Sutton DC with Dungarvan SCs father and daughter team, Simon & Ella Crowe taking 3rd.

McCarthy & Bracken dominated the gold fleet with a further three 1sts showing great speed and boat handling in the gusty conditions. The McGuinness’s secured 2nd place with three 2nds and the McCaldins 3rd with two 3rds and a 4th.

Sunday dawned as forecast with winds mid 30mph, the race officer wisely decided not to hold the finals.

Next event on the circuit is Greystones SC 27th & 28th May.

Josh Porter, Newtownards Sailing Club GP14 Fleet Captain, is the first recipient of a Richard Estaugh Bursary.

The 'Richard Estaugh Fund' was established from the sale of GP14 14000 which was donated by the late Richard Estaugh. Richard was not only a much respected sail-maker, boat-builder and multiple championship winner, but also a truly great ambassador for the sport of Sailing and the GP14 Class in particular. The fund was created in perpetual memory of Richard and the huge contribution that he made to the GP Class.

The Bursary is aimed in particular at young sailors from the GP14 International class but any GP sailor can apply for assistance from the fund to go towards the cost of worthwhile sailing related projects. These can take many forms such as participation in training/coaching programmes, championship campaigns, a cruising challenge or sailing expedition, providing assistance or ‘buddying’ for people with a disadvantage or disability.

Although Josh has been awarded the bursary to go towards his campaign at the UK National GP14 Championship in Cornwall this year he is also heavily involved in promoting the GP class in the area as Newtownards Fleet Captain. The Ballyhalbert youth helps extensively with training at NSC and with maintaining the Club's GP14 boats which assist newcomers to the sport to get an opportunity to sail without the expense of buying a boat.

A number of GP14 sailors made their way down to Blessington on Friday evening, pitched tents and camper vans around the lakeside.  It was a very wet and windy night for them.  Many of the Saturday sailors drove through heavy down pours of rain but on arrival to Blessington the sun split the skies over the lake.

A healthy fleet of 25 GP14s took to the water for the Hot Toddy under the command of OOD Fred Ternan from Lough Erne. After a general recall the first race got under way with a single recall flag.  Steven Nelson & Brenda Preston had to go around the ends to get their race going. The wind strength and direction oscillated over the first race. Headers that would normally be marginal played a huge part, you had to take the right one and get over to the side of the lake where the wind was at its strongest. John & Donal McGuinness read it very well and took the first race followed by Colman Grimes & David Lappin in 2nd, then JP & Carolyn McCaldin in 3rd.

Similar conditions for the 2nd race of the day. This time the lead was held by Colman & David. With a large shift up the last beat OOD Fred decided to shorten the race and finish on the downwind leg.  Colman & David took the 2nd race, followed by JP & Carolyn with 3rd going to Keith Louden & Alan Thompson.

The 3rd race of the day saw the wind swing badly just before the start and forced the fleet to try to make it across the line on a port tack.  Steven Nelson & Brenda Preston get away very well and held a very strong lead nearly all of the way around the course.  Simon Cully & Libby Tierney also got themselves onto the right side of the course and held 2nd position, 3rd was Cahal Sheridan & David Cooke.  No Gold fleeters could make it into the top 3 of the final race of the day.

OOD Fred had hoped to sail a 4th placed but as it was getting late into the afternoon and the wind showing no sign of settling he sent the fleet home for the day.  The club supplied a plentiful supply of Hot Toddies, soup and homemade bread for the sailors.

The annual AGM was held in the clubhouse after the sailing.  

This was followed by a fabulous beef casserole and a supply of local ales and some not so local beers and a very strong rum punch from Richard Street.  A truly local evening was rounded off with some of the local youth club members playing an Irish session for the GP14 sailors.

Sunday morning arrived with the leaves being blown off the trees being horizontally!  The OOD Fred called a gathering of the fleet shortly after 10am.  He informed the fleet that the forecast was not to improve so he made the early call to cancel the sailing for the day.  3 races meant no discard so the Hot Toddy event went to Colman Grimes & David Lapin, Skerries - their first ever event win.  

Highest placed youth (U21) helm went to Robson Ogg from Donaghadee sailing with his dad James.

The Hot Toddy highest placed boat under 13500 went to boat number 13266 sailed by locals Richard Street & Simon Dick.

An annual award that has been missing for a couple of years is the Travellers Trophy.  This is given to the boat covering the most distance to make it to the Irish GP14 events.  As the whole fleet knows the Youghal sailors make a long trek to each event.  Not wanting to single out a particular boat it was only fair to present the Travellers Trophy for the 2016 season to the sailors and the drivers of Youghal!

Blessington really know how to provide a visiting GP14 fleet with very warm hospitality.  Thanks again to Blessington for putting on a great event and thanks to all of the GP14 sailors who attended the 2016 events.  There was a good youth turn out and hopefully this will continue into 2017.

See you again for the 2017 season.

Overall

1. Colman Grimes & David Lapin, Skerries

2. JP & Carolyn McCaldin, Sligo/Lough Erne

3. John & Donal McGuinness, Molville

Silver

1. Colman Grimes & David Lapin, Skerries

2. Simon Cully & Libby Tierney, Blessington

3. Steven Nelson & Brenda Preston, Donaghadee

Bronze

1. Robbie Richardson & Colin Watson, Donaghadee 

2. Martin & Vicky Dews, Donaghadee

3. Anthony & Jack Hutton, Lough Foyle

Special Prizes

Highest placed youth (U21) helm - Robson Ogg, Donaghadee

Hot Toddy highest placed boat under 13500 - 13266 Richard Street & Simon Dick, Blessington 

2016 Travellers Trophy – all sailors and the drivers of Youghal