GP14 Hot Toddy 2024 at Lough Erne Yacht Club

Close racing during the GP14 Hot Toddy 2024 at Lough Erne © Charlie Valentine

The weekend of 19/20 October saw the GP14 fleet return to Lough Erne Yacht Club for the Hot Toddy, the final event of the 2024 calendar. The event was kindly supported by Fermanagh & Omagh District Council the Boatyard Distillery.

The warnings of Storm Ashley due to batter the country did not deter the 34 teams that entered the event. The 34 entries were made up of three local Lough Erne Yacht Club boats and 31 visiting boats, some of whom had travelled from as far as Tralee to sail on the beautiful waters of Lower Lough Erne. The fact that this many visitors travelled despite the forecast is testament to the renowned event management of the club.

On Saturday four of the events planned six races took place in near perfect sunny, dry conditions in a shifty southerly wind across the lake.

Race 1 was a battle between Sligo YC teams with the Irish youth champion team of David Evans & William Draper coming out on top from Niall Henry & Ossian Geraghty. Father & son team Keith & Mateo Louden, Lough Foyle YC, took 3rd place. The bronze fleet was won by Lough Ernes brother & sister pairing Adam & Emily Torrens.

Race 2 went to Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club's Ross Kearney & Daniel Nelson again from Henry & Geraghty with another Sligo sister & brother team of Jessica & Mark Greer in 3rd place.

Race 3 was again a battle between Evans & Draper, Kearney & Nelson and Henry & Geraghty teams with the 3 finishing in that order. Unfortunately, the Royal North pair suffered a freak capsize at the final windward mark resulting in them losing their huge lead. 1st bronze fleet boat was again the Torrens.

The 4th race of the day turned out to be the final race of the event due to Sunday's storm. Sligo team Paddy O'Connor with guest crew Richard Street took this race after a late start and some bad luck earlier in the day. Evans & Draper beat Kearney & Nelson and ultimately won the event. Top bronze in this race went to the Greers, giving them 4th overall and 1st in the bronze fleet. Equal on points with this pair were the first Lough Erne Yacht Club boat of Adam & Emily Torrens finishing 2nd in the bronze fleet and 5th overall.

After a mentally demanding day on the water, the crews were welcomed ashore with a "Hot Toddy" courtesy of sponsors The Boatyard Distillery followed by an evening of food and banter in the bar.

David Evans & William Draper (Sligo YC) receiving their prizes from Lough Erne Yacht Club Commodore Raymond Morrison after the GP14 Hot Toddy 2024 at Lough Erne - photo © Peter Brines

At the prize giving, winners David & William thanked event organiser Michael Brines and all the Lough Erne Yacht Club volunteers and sponsors for a superb event.

Overall Results: