GP14 Leinster Championship at the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta

GP14 Leinster Championship at the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta © Gareth Craig / www.fotosail.com

Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta day 4 © David Branigan / www.oceansport.ie

With the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta running this year, the GP14 class were invited to compete in addition to 30 other classes that also included 8 other dinghy fleets. To make the event that extra bit special it was decided to make it our Leinster Championships. The GP14 fleet was one of the largest classes in the regatta and the whopping 35 boat entry had some notable names including two former Olympic sailors and the current world champion crew, Andy Tunnicliffe. From the outset, it promised for an exciting event with some fabulous racing.

Day 1 for the GP14 class was Friday the 10th July. After some spine tingling stories of demasted cruisers from the day before, it was fair to say nerves were tense for some competitors. Racing was postponed for 2 hours as the race committee waited for the heavy winds to abate. A quick run to the shops to stock up on food was welcomed by everybody. As the winds started to calm the sailors prepared for the inevitable launch and tough races. The race area was moved to the Salthill race course for the day. With Flying 15s and Squibs starting before the GP14's, the competition had well and truly heated up and there was a general recall on the first GP14 start. Eventually though we were underway and after a tough upwind leg Niall Henry & Ossian Gerraghty rounded the weather mark in first chased closely by Alan Blay & David Johnston. It was the Blay/Johnston team who managed to claim 1st followed by the McGuinness brothers and Ger Owens sailing with stand-in crew Max Treacy. Race 2 got off to a much smoother start with current world champion Andy Tunnicliffe and crew Lee Tennant grabbing the top spot. Race 3, and final race of the day went to Ger & Max who after a fine performance throughout the day, scoring a 3rd, 2nd, 1st were the overnight leaders.

Day 2 of the Volvo Regatta started off with some confused faces as a quick look at the results from the previous day made for some interesting reading. Fortunately all queries were sorted out quickly. After reaching the race area out by South Bull the racing was underway shortly. Race 4 went the way of GP veteran Curly Morris and crew Laura McFarland pursued by Ger Owens & Melanie Morris. Race 5 was taken by Alan & David earning their second race win of the event. Shane McCarthy & Andy Thompson made their presence known by knocking in a 2nd in race 5 and followed that up with a 1st in race 6.

GP14 Leinster Championship at the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta - photo © Gareth Craig / www.fotosail.com

The final day of this event was greeted with calmer winds but tired legs. Arriving to the race area with a wide range of boats including J24s, SB20s, Flying 15s, Squibs, and Wayfarers, the starting area was packed. Ger & Melanie went into the final day with 5 point lead over 2nd placed Andy & Lee and 3rd place Alan & David a further 3 points back. The Blay/Johnston team snatched their 3rd bullet in race 7 to keep their hopes alive. Little however could be done to stop Ger & Melanie following up with a 2nd. The final race of the event still provided a glimmer of hope to catch the leaders. Alan & David and Ger & Melanie raced right to the end and crossed the finish line within 2 boat lengths of each other. It was Alan & David who came out on top but it still wouldn't be enough to topple the former olympian from the top spot. Sailing in and it appeared that Ger & Melanie would be crowned champions, with Alan & David 2nd and Andy & Lee 3rd. However ashore it had come to light that the Blay/Johnston team were OCS in the last race dropping them down to 3rd place overall, just one point behind Andy & Lee.

Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta day 4 - photo © David Branigan / www.oceansport.ie

With a great event over and 8 fantastic races sailed, the Leinster championships went to Ger Owens & Melanie Morris deservedly. A notable mention however goes to the winners of the Bronze fleet, Gareth & Richie Gallagher, who were no pushovers slotting in plenty of top 5 scores and finishing in 6th position overall – an outstanding result. Everyone went home happy to have had such great racing and superb hospitality by the Royal St. George Yacht Club who kept us all well fed and well "hydrated" in the evenings. A great event enjoyed by all.

More Gareth Craig / www.fotosail.com photos can be found here.

Overall Results: