Kearney and Nelson are Crowned GP14 Ulster Champions at East Antrim Boat Club

22nd May 2023

Daniel Nelson and Ross Kearney were overall winners of the GP14 Ulster Championships at East Antrim Boat Club

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)

Published in GP14, Northern Ireland Waters

Published in GP14

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