GP14 Ireland Autumn Open and Youth Championship at Blessington Sailing Club

Youth U22 winners - GP14s at Blessington © Cormac Murphy

Saturday

On 13 September 2025, 20 GP14s launched from Blessington Sailing Club despite the blustery conditions and made their way out to the race area and across the start line to start the GP14 Autumn Open. The event proved to be exceptionally competitive with three different race winners over the three races. Ger Owens and Melanie Morris on Two Belle managed to secure the win in race 1, Sam Street and Josh Lloyd on Cloud Nine won race 2, and Rob Lee and Stephen Lynch took the third race win.

Perhaps the biggest upset of the event occurred in the third race when Keith Louden and Mateo Louden, who had secured two thirds in the previous races, were betrayed by their toestraps and were forced to retire.

The event also saw a large number of female sailors, with over a quarter of the boats in the event helmed by women and almost half of the boats crewed by women. It was also a great showing from youth sailors, with ten of the boats in the fleet having at least one sailor onboard aged 21 and under.

Ultimately, Sam Street and Josh Lloyd claimed first place in the Autumn Open finishing on 5 points. Rob Lee and Stephen Lynch took second place with 7 points, and Ger Owens and Melanie Morris finished in third place with 8 points, demonstrating just how close the competition was.

While the rest of the fleet made their way back to shore, ten of the boats remained on the water to compete in two further races. Contrary to what had been forecasted, the wind reduced as the day went on (although there were a number of stronger squalls in the later races) and the Committee managed to complete another two incredible races.

The racing in the Youth Championships was even closer than in the Autumn Open with all three podium places being decided on countback.

Junior U19 winners - GP14s at Blessington - photo © Cormac Murphy

The first race was won by Mateo Louden and Keith Louden who had switched helms after the Autumn Open, and having made some quick repairs to their boat. In second was Adam Torrens and Emily Torrens on Kokomo (who were just after securing fourth in the Autumn Open) who had come storming back to the front of the fleet despite an early capsize on the first upwind.

Aishling Kelly and Matthew Kelly on No Name just about managed to defend their third place in race 1 with a near photo finish at the line as they engaged in a tacking battle with Daithí Murphy and Rachel Deasy on Trouble No More.

In race 2, Adam and Emily Torrens secured the race win with Mateo and Keith Louden finishing in second. Daithí Murphy and Rachel Deasy managed to build a gap between themselves and Aishling and Matthew Kelly on the final lap of the race.

U16 winners - GP14s at Blessington - photo © Cormac Murphy

Thus, Adam and Emily Torrens won the Youth Championships with three points (on countback), Mateo and Keith Louden came second with three points, and Daithí Murphy and Rachel Deasy took third with seven points (on countback).

After an incredibly intense day of racing many of the sailors, especially those who had competed in all five races on the Saturday, were left feeling very sore. However, Jenny Street and the Catering Committee of Blessington Sailing Club put out an incredible feast for all the sailors. The evening was spent enjoying good food, great stories, and even better company.

Autumn Open Gold Fleet winners - GP14s at Blessington - photo © Cormac Murphy

Sunday

As Sunday morning came around, there was very little movement from the sailors. With white horses visible across the lake the Race Officer made the call not to launch for the day.

At 10:30 the prize-giving was held in the Blessington Sailing Club. The prizes were awarded by Richard Street and Adam Torrens closed out the prize-giving, as the helm of the winning youth boat, thanking all the organisers and the attendees.

Autumn Open Silver Fleet winners - GP14s at Blessington - photo © Cormac Murphy

Autumn Open Meeting Results:

Youth Championship Results:

Autumn Open Bronze Fleet winners - GP14s at Blessington - photo © Cormac Murphy