Irish GP14 Champions will lead a massive 29-boat Irish team into Monday's first races of the 85-boat class World Championships in North Wales.

Irish title holders Ross Kearney and Daniel Nelson (RNIYC) are among several top Irish crews expected to cause trouble for the 49-boat British contingent this week. 

While British and Irish crews are the bulk of the fleet, single boats represent Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Poland, Scotland and Thailand, bringing the nation count to eight at the Welsh National Sailing Academy in Plas Heli, Pwllheli.

Due to light winds, Sunday's practice race was not sailed, so the fleet went straight into points racing. Race Officer Mike Butterfield will stage three races in forecasted medium-strength south-westerlies. 

The 2024 GP14 Worlds fleet prepares for its first races in lovely sunshine at the Welsh National Sailing Academy in Plas Heli, Pwllheli. Photo: Cormac Murphy/GP14 Ireland

Once again, there are five championships in one event. Following changes by World Sailing, the GP14 Association is once again able to crown five World Champions from one event—subject to meeting the criteria of the number of entries. Sailing on the same course and starting line and competing against all competitors, there is a chance to be a double World Champion in 2024, as the plan is to crown the overall World Champions, Male Champions, Mixed Champions, Female Champions, and Youth Champions.  

Male Championship Contenders

Matt Mee and Chris Robinson Fleetwood and Blackpool SC, second at Skerries on countback, and the current British National Champions, are the only sailors from the Male Champions' podium entered for the Worlds! The runners-up from the 2022 Skerries World Championships got back together in a boat they both knew as they struggled to find the time to learn and fine-tune sailing in another fleet together.

Fergus and Jasper Barnham from Snettisham Beach SC. Fergus has been a regular fixture of the GP14 fleet and recently teamed up with his father, Jasper. These runners-up at the 2023 Nationals and third at the 2022 Nationals are looking to improve on these positions. Ferg has been rumoured to be looking to borrow a boat for the Irish Nationals to get in some practice and check out the Irish fleet.

Sean Craig and Stephen Boyle, a new Irish pairing with ILCA 6 and RS Aero sailor, recently finished sixth in the Grand Masters ILCA 6 at the World Masters Championships in Adelaide, Australia, in February of this year. Sean reportedly said, "The GP14 is the most competitive double-handed fleet sailing in Ireland at the moment". Stephen, sailing with their son Peter, came 7th in the 2019 Nationals sailing on the same water as this year's Worlds. Sean took the training seriously, having asked to practise the triangle sausage courses and gate starts where feasible in the Irish events that lead up to the Worlds.

Tom Gillard and Andy Thompson were frequent visitors to the GP14 fleet. Fresh from being crowned World Champions (with a race to spare!) at the 2024 Fireball Worlds in Geelong,  Australia. Tom will be looking to improve on his 10th place at the Mounts Bay World's in 2018. Tom couldn't fit the 2022 Worlds into his racing schedule and has only managed one GP event this year- the Northern Area Championship, which he and Thompson won. Tom has recently won the Lark UK Nationals on his first venture into the fleet.

John and Jack Telford, another father and son pairing, this time from Bassenthwaite SC, 14th at the 2023 Nationals. A pair to keep an eye on.

Sam Watson and Darren Roach Nantwich and Borders SC and Plymouth YC; Sam, the 2019 National Champion, when sailing with Shandy, paired up last season with Darren from Plymouth SC, coming 4th in their first Nationals, are looking to improve on this. Rumour has it that they are going to Ireland for the Irish Nationals to check out the competition.

Neil Marsden and Derek Hill 2003 World Champions and 4th in 2022 at Skerries from Fleetwood and Blackpool SC.

Andy Smith and Ali Rimmer. Andy is returning to sailing GPs in a new pairing with youngster Ali, sailing brand new Impact Marine! From Bassenthwaite SC.

Ross Kearney was seventh at Skerries sailing with Daniel Nelson Royal Northern Ireland YC. Ross is well known on both sides of the Irish Sea, having sailed at South Staffs SC for many years. He was second at Mounts Bay in 2018 and has won the Mirror Europeans and Worlds.

Colman Grimes and Ross Gringles are fifth at Skerries and have eyes on a medal this time.

Tim Jones and Dale Knowles 8th in 2022 at Skerries. Tim, of Holyhead Boat Club, only competes on the sea, has paired with Dale from Bolton SC

Rob Robinson 6th at Skerries and Youth World Champions 2022 sailing with Ollie Hawkins, Royal Windermere YC.

Mixed Championship contenders

Olympian Ger Owens and Mel Morris, The Mixed World Champions from 2022, are leaders in this category, if not also for the overall title. 

Adam McGovern and Ellie Wheeldon Hollingworth Lake SC and South Staffs SC; RYA North's RDO; Adam has paired up once again with Ellie. This pair placed 20th at the Mounts Bay Worlds in 2018. Ellie, sailing with Ollie Goodhead, was the first mixed boat at the 2023 Nationals, coming 7th overall.

Russ and Ali Cormack from Budworth, SC, are contenders for this title. Winners of the first race of the 2019 National Championship.

JP and Carolyn Maccaldin, Lough Erne YC 43rd at Mounts Bay in 2018, are also a pair to watch. They are rumoured to be good in strong winds.

Diane Kissane and Graham CurranHowth YC, 4th in the ~Leinster Championship at Howth, June 2nd 2024.

Curly Morris and His crew are also in contention for this title if the conditions are light. East Antrim Boat Club

Russ and Ali Cormack, Budworth SC, came 19th at their first GP14 Nationals in 2019, with a great start when they won the first race of the Championship. 

Female Champion contenders

Female sailors have always been recognised by the GP14 Class. At present, there are six female pairings, including Ann Penny, one of the class past presidents, sailing in this event. There is a chance for any of these pairings to step onto the podium: 

• Katie Dwyer and Michelle Rowley, Sutton Dinghy Club and Howth YC, runners up in the Female World Championship in 2022
• Lesley Freeman and Sue Webb. The only English female boat; from Trimpley SC
• Paula Carthy and Muriel Carthy from Rush SC.
• Jennifer Brice and Vivika Turner- Newtonard SC Jennifer has spoken about her journey into sailing and the GP14 fleet, and on her experiences travelling to events in a podcast for Irelands RYA "Crest of the Wave"
• Tasmin and Brenda Hoult Hayling Island SC.
• Anne Penny and Cat Gringles Derwent Reservoir SC

Youth Champions contenders

Jude Stanley and Oscar Hoult from Hayling Island SC, the Youth champions from the 2023 Nationals in 19th place; have been homing their skills for the second time, at the weeklong Youth training camp which is unique to the class and is subsidized by the Association.

Fin Waterhouse and Sian Baird from Budworth SC will be hoping to remain as close with Jude and Oscar as the pairing of Fin and his Father in 2023 did in 2023 when they were one place behind in 20th place.

Daithi and Arann Murphy from Tralee Bay SC. This young pair of brothers are fearless on the water.

David Evans and William Draper from Sligo YC are the hot youths to watch. having attended the Howard Davies Week this year this pair jumped from mid fleet winning races in Championships effortlessly back home. They have considerable as they also sometimes sail Fiireballs.

Sam Street and Josh Lloyd, BLSC 27th and second Youths at the Skerries Worlds.

Adam and Emily Torrens, Newtownards YC are a brother / sister combination from a GP14 sailing family. To get his own boat back dad Bob, has invested in a newer boat for them and they are producing the results in Club and Irish sailing when exams don't get in the way. Another team who has benefited hugely from The EHD training.

Peter Brines and Charlie Valentine- Lough Erne YC Peter Brines is the son of a GP14 sailor from Lough Erne and his crew, Charlie Valantine is the son of another GP14 sailor, the much-missed Mark Valantine. Keep an eye on this pair for the future as they are both still young.

Daniel O'Hare and Asiling Kelly. Rush SC Daniel helmed with an adult crew in 2022

Oliver Gabbitas and Freddie Cosby, York, SC. This pair has teamed up in a Youth boat for this event; they have previously crewed with adult helms.

Riaghan Boardman and Maedbth Butterly are another young pairing from Rush SC.

The Irish Youth are keen on taking 9 of the ten boat places at the Howard Davis Youth training week. The Irish sailors are trembling to see how much the youngsters have improved, with some of them returning for a second year of this intensive training week after how much they improved last year. According to the craic on the Irish WhatsApp, they beat the oldies in a few races once they returned last year, and they won races upon returning this year.