Nearly thirty GP14 teams turned out to enjoy the Ulsters and Masters Championship of Ireland at Donaghadee Sailing Club on the 26^th and 27^th June 2010. The event sponsor was Ards Tourism, and officer of the day Jimmy McKee set the course just off the clubhouse in a building southerly breeze in strong tide.

Robert Gingles and his son Chris were first to read the importance of the tide and rounded the weather mark in the lead followed by Norman Lee and Stephen Walker with Johnny Park and Bob Stinton in third. Staying hard right paid throughout the weekend and it was this factor that made passing difficult. The Gingles held out to the end followed by Niall Henry and James Conlon with Keith Louden and Dessie Hughes in their new Duffin design.. Whether the latest Duffin hull is fast or the time they spent in the gym over winter was well spent…but the boys are going very fast.

With the wind increasing it was the Sutton team of Paul Maguire and Stewart Boyle who lead throughout followed by Henry/Conlon and with the very fast Alan Blay and Niamh McCormack in a very close third.

Back at the club that evening the fleet enjoyed the great hospitality of its member and the event sponsors, Ards Tourism.  All were entertained by and acoustic which kept the tills kept ring until the early hours making for happy club and very shaky sailors the next day which unfortunately for some…was breezy. 

Race three was led from start to finish by Paul and Stuart with the Gingles pair in second and the Henry/Conlon team in third.

The Championship was up for grabs in the final race.

The Gingles pair made it to the right ahead of the pack led at the windward mark with Richard Street/Dan Crilly from Blessington in second and Henry/Conlon in third. The Blessington team had some difficulties at the gybe (it sounded like that anyway) allowing the Sligo boat into second. Maguire /Boyle were back in fourth and needed a top three finish to win. It stayed that way for the next lap but eventually Henry/Conlon took the lead and Maguire worked their way up to second with Robert and Chris Gingles finishing third. It finished it that order making Paul Maguire and Stuart Boyle Ulster Champions for 2010.  Robert Gingles was crowned Master champion winning every race in the Master’s section.  Adam Scott and Eamon Bourne won the Ulster Youth title, which was also sailed within the event.

Great credit must go to all at Donaghadee S.C. for all the hard work they put into running the event, their enthusiasm and warm welcome.  This really is a part of Northern Ireland that deserves a visit.

  

Results:

 

Ulsters:                       

1^st Place            Paul Maguire and Stuart Boyle

2^nd Place            Niall Henry and James Conlon

3^rd Place            Robert Gingles and Chris Jingles

 

Ulsters Silver Fleet:           

1^st Place            Johnny Park and Bob Stinston

2^nd Place            Adam Scott and Eamon Bourne

3^rd Place            Steven Preston and Brenda Niblock

 

Ulsters Bronze Fleet:           

1^st Place            Oisin McCelland and Stuart Ogg

2^nd Place            James Ogg and Ronan O’Beirne

3^rd Place            Bill Johnson and Stephen Byrne

 

Masters:                       

1^st Place            Robert Gingles and Chris Gingles

2^nd Place            Alastair Duffin and Paul Whitcombe

3^rd Place            Norman Lee and Stephen Walker

 

Youths:                       

1^st Place            Adam Scott and Eamon Bourne