Gul GP14 World Championships entry almost 100 with 6 months to go

GP14 at Mount's Bay © GP14 Class Association

2018 Gul GP14 Worlds © Michelle Evans

The 2018 Gul GP14 World Championship is set to be the hottest ticket of the year. With six months still to go there are already 98 boats entered and 29 sponsors lined up for the Marazion event that takes place between 28 July and 3 August.

The GP14 Class is well renowned for competitive and close racing and is attracting an exciting entry that includes some of the best amateur dinghy sailors in the country. A multiple winner in other classes, Nick Craig has yet to crack the GP14s and will be back for another go in 2018 with multiple Endeavour Trophy winner Toby Lewis. As will the current GP14 World Champion helm Shane MacCarthy and Solo National Champion Andy Davis, the current multiple National GP14 Champions Ian Dobson and Andy Tunnicliffe, former GP14 National Champion Mike Senior with Chris White, not to mention OK World Champion Jim Hunt, sailing with Liz Senior. Also challenging for the title will be current Fireball National Champion Matt Burge with Simon Potts and former Laser 2000 national champion Fergus Barnham, with Andy Hunter.

Gul were quick to sign up to be the title sponsor of the event: "We at Gul are delighted to be the headline sponsor. This is a prestigious event in Cornwall the county in which Gul has always been based. Not forgetting the fantastic sailing location that Mount's Bay Sailing Club offer. We look forward to working with the Class and the Club to ensure a successful championship."

Held on a bi-annual basis and rotated between a UK venue, Irish venue and overseas venue the GP14 Worlds are always well attended. The attraction to the event is varied with some members citing that they enjoy being able to sail against (or on the same piece of water as) former Olympians and the best amateur dinghy sailors in the country. For others the attraction is the size and scale of the event. The GP14s are noted for being friendly (off the water that is!) and the social programme caters for all with families encouraged to participate in socials and soak up the atmosphere. There are expected to be over 400 people attending the event counting family and friends as well as sailors. Some of the highlights of the social programme include beach games, a live band and an Irish night. There is a wide variety of accommodation available in Marazion and surrounding areas and there will be a special event campsite for those on a budget, food will be available at the Club every day through the local catering college.

For the sailors there will be excellent race management, an international jury on the water, daily briefings and more prizes than at any other GP14 event thanks to our 29 sponsors to date who will be helping to provide daily prizes, event prizes, trophies as well as all those little touches that make events such as a registration goody pack, post-race drinks, special bubbly reception and lots more to be announced in the next few months. There will be prizes for all and not just those pushing for a win.

All of our sponsors have been very keen to sign up, Harken explain why they wanted to be involved: "The GP14 remains one of the best sailing dinghies for close, competitive tactical fleet racing and we can't wait to follow the action from the Worlds at Mount's Bay Sailing Club in July."

Craftinsure were also pleased to continue their partnership with the GP14 Class: "The GP14 has become an iconic class, and remains a great boat for competitive racing as well as for introducing people to the delights and benefits of sailing. Few classes can have had such an impact over the years in getting people afloat, and it's great to see that we are insuring a lot of new boats."

Full sponsor list:

• Gul (Title Sponsor of the Event)
• Craftinsure (Goody Bag and Event Prize Sponsor)
• Harken (Event Prize and Drone Sponsor)
• Amco Drilling (Social Sponsor)
• Gurasu (Trophy and Closing Ceremony Sponsor)
• Skerries Sailing Club (Irish Night)

• Exe Sails (Race Day and Spot Prize Sponsor)
• Impact Marine (Race Day Sponsor)
• North Sails (Race Day and Spot Prize Sponsor)
• Optimum Watches (Spot Prize Sponsor)
• Selden (Spot Prize Sponsor)
• Typhoon Covers (Spot Prize Sponsor)

• Creation Covers (Champagne Race Sponsor)
• Duffin (Event Prize Sponsor)
• Gibson Sails (Daily Prize Sponsor)
• Paintcraft (Event Prize Sponsor)
• Yachting Sunnies (Daily Prize Sponsor)
• Yachts and Yachting Magazine (Goody Bag and Daily Prize Sponsor)

• Ann Penny (Trophy Sponsor)
• Elite Sails (Goody Bag Sponsor)
• English Braid (Goody Bag Sponsor)
• Gingerboats (Goody Bag Sponsor)
• Goachers (Goody Bag Sponsor)
• P&B (Goody Bag Sponsor)
• SP Boats (Goody Bag Sponsor)
• HD Sails (Post-Race Drinks Sponsor)
• Winder (Post-Race Drinks Sponsor)
• West System Resin (Buddy Group Sponsor)
• Dinghy Tec (Buddy Group Sponsor)