Progressive Credit Union GP14 World Championship 2022 at Skerries Sailing Club starts tomorrow
by Andy Johnston 13 Aug 2022 15:45 BST
14-19 August 2022
Progressive Credit Union GP14 Worlds 2022: Boat Weighing © Andy Johnston
Postponed twice due to Covid, there is now only one day to the first race of the Progressive Credit Union GP14 World Championship hosted by Skerries Sailing Club. With 106 entries, the place is really starting to get busy. The club, with support from Fingal Co., have set up an amazing tented village to cater for the many visiting crews and their families from both overseas and from around Ireland.
It's 2pm now and with a couple of hours to the opening ceremony, the atmosphere on the beach front and around the Club is really starting to fizz.
At this stage almost half the entries have completed registration with entry handouts and sponsor goodie bags to encourage early registration. Spotted around the dinghy park already are some of the top Irish hopes for the event Ger Owens, Hugh Gill, Adrian Lee, Niall Henry and local hope Colman Grimes. Aside from being in great form on the water, Colman Grimes is Worlds event coordinator and Hon. Sec of the host Club Skerries. Just saw him sneak away for a little bit of on the water practice with his crew Ross Gingles.
The Chief Measurer Jon Close with his small team of helpers have been busy since early morning working through the scrutineering of all boats. So last minute checks and adjustments are keeping many of the boat crews busy and ashore before they get out for a bit of practice. In addition there is a boat weighing service set up manned by Jon, Olive Rooney and Andy Johnston from GP14 Ireland Class and this has been very busy. With Mounts Bay in 2018 the last time the Worlds were held, this is the first opportunity for many owners to see how their boat sets up. There have been a few surprise, with a busy exchange market in lead under way in the dinghy park.
Racing kicks off Sunday with the first of the 9 races scheduled for the event. The remaining schedule is for 2 races each day till Friday with a lay day on Wednesday. The event PRO Bill O'Hara ia already on site and I am sure keeping a watching brief on the weather situation. While the beautiful weather is welcome at this stage for getting settled in and getting boat ready, fingers are crossed that the event will have decent wind between Sunday and next Friday.
The Opening Ceremony will include a welcome from Curly Morris, GP14 International President and Brian McNally the Commodore Skerries Sailing Club, a brass band and the event will be formally opened by the Mayor of Fingal at 5pm today.