Ger Owens of Wicklow & Mel Morris of Newtownards are “Sailors of the Month (World Champions)” for August

1st September 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Ger Owens and Mel Morris racing their GP14

World champions – Ger Owens and Mel Morris crowned their 27-year championship partnership by winning the GP14 World Championship on Belfast Lough in August, taking the title against a formidable international fleet of almost 100 boats. Credit: Bradley Quinn

A successful 27-year south/north championship dinghy racing crew combination would be unusual enough in any country, and in Ireland it’s a beacon of goodwill with its own special messages for all sport. Not least of the messages is that you have to keep at it, and though Ger Owens has been Ireland’s Champion of Champions more than once, the special niche of being top of the tops and crewed as usual by Melanie Morris in their own beloved GP14 class has been one of 2026’s outstanding sailing achievements. That it should happen on Belfast Lough against a superb international fleet of a hundred boats is the cream on the cake.

Read more about the 2026 GP14 World Champions here

Published in Sailor of the Month, GP14, Northern Ireland Waters

Published in Sailor of the Month

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Ger Owens

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