The Purcell Trophey 2017 was hosted by Greystones Sailing Club in their east coast new harbour and clubhouse at County Wicklow. After an hours wait on Saturday morning for the mist to clear the 26–strong GP14 fleet finally launched.
Race 1 got underway with a clean start and no recall (unusual in this fleet). Ger Owens & Mel Morris were back in business with a win, Shane McCarthy & Damian Bracken taking second with Alan Blay & David Johnston in third.
Race 2 started with the wind starting to build. Shane and Damian took the win with Ger & Mel in second and John & Donal McGuiness in third.
Race 3 started with gusts of winds of 26–knots. Alan & David retired with gear failure. Ger & Mel continued to dominate and brought home their second win for the day. Shane & Damian picked up an OCD so Colman Grimes & Eoin Boyle came home in second with Alistar Duffin & Andy Corkhill in third.
Race 4 started on Sunday morning with lighter winds and sunshine, Ger & Mel once again on form with another win and Alan & David with their boat repaired took 2nd just ahead of Shane & Damian in 3rd.
Race 5 was a closely fought battle between Ger & Mel and Shane & Damian with Ger & Mel winning and Shane & Damian close behind in 2nd. Simon Culley & Libby Tierney pulled off a fantastic move on the downward leg by going close to the shore and took 3rd place.
Race 6 was cancelled as the wind died.
So the gold fleet was won by Ger & Mel.
The silver fleet was dominated by the Gallagher brothers, sailing well once again.
The bronze fleet was won by Josh Porter & Sina Hartman in their first event.
Results downloadable below.