Championships were world class

Championships were world class

20 August 2014

EAST Down Yacht Club were the magnificent hosts of the Exe Sails GP 14 World Championships, which ended at the weekend.

This was the first time in the 65-year history of the GP 14 class that Strangford Lough was the venue for the world championships and the event attracted over 100 entries from throughout Britain, Ireland and overseas.

The championship got off to a turbulent start last Monday. With one race completed and the fleet heading in to shore, they were caught out by two exceptionally heavy squalls.

This caused a number of capsizes and the Coastguard launched a major incident. As was proved on the day, the inherent strength of a GP 14 and the ability of the crews in such difficult conditions ensured everyone got off the water safely.

Although the strong wind was a persistent factor for the rest of the week, a total of eight races were sailed.

The eventual winners of the event were Ian Dobson and Andy Tunnicliffe from Burwain Sailing Club in England. The top Irish competitors were John and Donal McGuinness, from Moville Boat Club, Donegal, who were sixth, followed in seventh by Gerald Owens and Melanie Morris, from Royal St George Yacht Club, Dublin.

The first Northern Ireland finishers, in 13th, were Tom and Michael Molloy, from East Down Yacht Club, followed by JP McCaldin and Liz Copland, from Lough Erne Yacht Club, who were 15th.

The winners of the Silver fleet were Norman and Ken Lee, from Greystones Sailing Club, Wicklow, who were 18th overall, while the Bronze fleet was won by Nigel Sloan and Johanna Vuolteenaho, from Newtownards Sailing Club, who were 33rd.

In very challenging conditions East Down Yacht Club hosted an exceptionally good event with all credit due to the organising team, race officials, rescue boat drivers and all who volunteered to make it a enjoyable week. Full details of results are available on www.gp14world.com.

Special mention is deserved of two young female competitors, Mollie and Celine Egan, who, at the tender age of 13 years, managed to complete every race they started, even if they had to bail furiously at times to lighten their load as their boat ‘Dormouse’ was taking on more water than just the normal spray.

For their tenacity and determination they were awarded a well-deserved special prize for the youngest crew at the 2014 Ex Sails GP 14 World Championships.

On that note it is safe to say the future of the class looks strong for years to come.