GP14 duo Ger Owens and Ross Killian have won the Irish Sailing Dinghy Champions’ Cup at Royal Cork Yacht Club after a three-way points tie-breaking victory.
The pair finished first overall after four races, with scores of 1, 6, 4, and 1. Their consistent performance secured the title with 12 points.
The event, once known as the Helmsman’s Championships, featured 11 dinghy class champions who raced in three-man National 18s without spinnakers and with an owner's representative onboard in a one day competition after Storm Amy cut proceedings short.
Ger Owens, Ross Killian National 18 rep John Coakley ashore after in Crosshaven after their victory Photo: Bob Bateman
Second place went to Alex Barry and Sam Hunt of the host class, also finishing on 12 points but edged out on countback. They posted results of 4, 5, 1, and 2.
Josh Porter and Conor Twohig, representing the Fireball class, finished third with another 12-point total, following races of 2, 3, 2, and 5.
Robert Espey and Michael Ferguson, representing the RS400, placed fourth with 15 points.
In fifth, Tom Coulter and Charlie Keating of the ILCA 7s matched that 15-point tally but lost out on the tie-break.
Melges 15 pair Sean and Tadhg Donnelly of the National YC took sixth with 18 points, including a race win.
Dinghy Champions Cup Photo Gallery By Bob Bateman
“This was probably one of the best Champions’ Cups we’ve sailed, both in terms of competition and the spirit it was raced in, Ger Owens said.
"The decision to make it just for dinghy sailors was a great move and made it even more competitive, so we’re delighted to come away with the win. Conditions were beautiful, Royal Cork put on a great show, and Ruan (Race Officer) did an amazing job getting all the races in. Honestly, we couldn’t be more thrilled,” he added.
This year saw a new format for the Irish Sailing Champions’ Cup, with the event split into two dedicated weekends — one for Dinghies and another for Keelboats.
Stephen O’Shaughnessy, Irish Sailing’s Racing Manager, said: “We’re absolutely delighted for Ger and his crew. This was a phenomenally close Champions’ Cup. The final truly went down to the wire, with the top three finishing on 12 points. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such competitive racing, which really speaks to the exceptional standard of all those competing. Great credit is also due to the race officials, especially Ruan O’Tiarnaigh, who did another stellar job ensuring all races were completed following yesterday’s postponement. And of course, huge thanks to the RCYC organising committee and all the volunteers who helped make this event run so smoothly.”
The winners accept the Helmsman's Championship Salver from Irish Sailing President Sue Concannon in Crosshaven Photo: Bob Bateman
Irish Sailing President Sue Concannon was on hand to present the winners with their trophy and praised both RCYC and all competitors for “a fantastic day of racing.”
The Irish Sailing Keelboat Champions’ Cup will take place next weekend, 11–12 October, at the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire.
