The GP14 O'Tiarnaigh Challenge at Mullingar Sailing Club proved to be a thrilling event with 30 entries and 29 boats competing on the start line. The competition served as excellent preparation for the upcoming World Championships in Pla Heli in August.
On the first day of racing, 29 teams battled it out in light to medium wind conditions. With six races scheduled, it was a long and challenging day for all participants. PRO Jim Lambkin and his race team ensured the races started on time.
Sean Craig, with Stephen Boyle, made the best of the conditions to take the win from a newcomer to the fleet, Chris Bateman, sailing with Adrian Lee. This was swiftly followed by a great result from Adam and Emily Torrens of Newtownards in 3rd.
Newcomer to the fleet, Chris Bateman of Monkstown Bay Sailing Club sailing with Adrian Lee at the GP14 O'Tiarnaigh Challenge at Mullingar Sailing Club
Race 2 got away with a clear start for all. Sean Craig again getting away, this time followed by Conor and Matthew of the Wrong Trousers and the local boat of Alan Pinder and John Zumerchik also in the mix. By the end of the 2nd upwind, after heading out to the right, Josh and Sara had managed to pull their way to 2nd. At the finish it was Sean, Josh in 2nd , Alan 3rd and the Wrong trousers 4th.
Race 3 saw a great start from Norman Lee, with the top 10 boats all being very close to the windward mark. By the end of the first lap, Norman managed to stay ahead of Sean with Diana Kissane rounding 3rd. The next upwind saw many place changes throughout the fleet. Ross Kearney managed to get ahead of Sean at the front, with Keith and Mateo Louden moving up to 3rd and this became the finishing order.
GP14 O'Tiarnaigh Challenge Race Officer Jim Lambkin (right) with his team at Mullingar Sailing Club
The fourth race was led to the first mark by JP and Carolyn McCaldin, this time with Chris and Adrian close behind, Josh in 3rd and the ever consistent team of Sean and Stephen rounding in 4th. By the finish, Chris had moved into the lead with the McCaldins 2nd, Josh 3rd and Sean 4th.
Race 5 saw an exciting start with big splits to the sides in the fleet. At the top it was the team of Katie and Michelle who made it around in the lead, with Chris and Adrian hot on their heels. Tadhg and Brian of Tralee, were also having a great race rounding in 6th place. By the finish, Chris managed to get into the lead, with Sean 2nd and Katie finishing 3rd.
The final race of the day got underway with the left hand side paying. Patrick O’Connor made the best of this and made it round the weather mark in the lead. This time with Ross in 2nd place and Curly, with new crew Lara, following in 3rd. By the finish, Ross managed to pip the win from Patrick, followed by Sean 3rd and Curly having his best result of the day in 4th. This result will be welcomed by Curly’s wife Ann, who later commented on Curly being a little too eager to get over the line on occasion…
Day two arrived, this time with plenty of sun and warmth, just lacking a bit of breeze. This time, the fleet was split, the top 3 of each fleet now racing together for the O’Tiarnaigh trophy, with the rest of the fleet now racing on a separate start for the plate.
In race 1, Josh and Sara lead around the top mark with a slight gap over Chris/Adrian, Adam/Emily Torrens and David/William, however this gap and lead quickly disappeared in the dwindling breeze. On lap 2, David managed to work his way to the front, with Simon/Libby also onto a flyer. By the finish, David had pulled out a good lead over the rest of the fleet in the almost drifting conditions. Simon worked his way up to 2nd, Chris took 3rd and Adam 4th.
There was a gap between race 1 and 2 due to the very patchy breeze over the lough. When race 2 finally got underway, it was a bit of a lottery as to which side of the course was going to pay. David took the option to go right, and in the end didn’t work so well. Going up the middle and following the shifts payed off with Chris taking the lead at the top ahead of Adam, with Sean closely behind. After many place changes on the next lap, David/William managed to gain some places on the reach, to squeeze in their 2nd win of the day after pulling their way back up through the fleet, Chris moved to 2nd with Sean taking 3rd.
Down to the last race of the day and this time it was the left side paying with the Local boat Alan and John taking the lead at the top, Adam and Simon were 2nd and 3rd. By the second upwind mark, Adam was in the lead with Chris and Simon in pursuit. By the finish, Chris had taken the lead, with Alan moving back to 2nd and Josh moving up to 3rd. David and William finished in 4th, which was enough for them to take the O’Tiarnaigh trophy.
It’s great to see some younger talent moving up through the fleet, with the youth training making a huge difference to the quality of younger sailors the class now has.
The next GP14 event is GP14 Leinsters in Howth Yacht Club on June 1, the weekend after Wave Regatta.
