This Saturday the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club is hosting the Ridgeway GP14 Irish National Championships on Belfast Lough and event director Gerry Reid casts his eye over the 40-boat fleet and looks at some of the runners and riders (in no particular order).
The championship is a prelude to the class World Championships being staged in Ireland in Skerries, North Dublin in mid-August.
Ger Owens and Mel Morris
Ger and Mel are certainly the ones to beat this year, having cleaned up last year. They favour the lighter winds but are fast becoming the ultimate all-rounders, they will be hot favourites for another National title.
Shane MacCarthy and Andy Thompson
2016 World Champion MacCarthy teams up with Andy Thompson. This team haven’t sailed this year in the GP but they will be up to top speed from the get-go and a good bet for overall winners.
Peter and Stephen Boyle
The Boyles started the year with two second places in the lead-up to the Nationals, showing some great pace in the breeze and generally an “in form pairing”.
Hugh and Dan Gill
Another father and son team with the right mix of youth and experience, they have got their beautiful new Duffin going great this year, with a few races wins mixed together with black flags they haven’t had the results they may be deserved.
Alan Blay and Hugh McNally
This strong team, won the last event of the year in 2021 and showed good form early in the season. Have served their time in the class, is this year the year for them?
Colman Grimes and Ross Gingles
Another strong pairing, Colman and Ross have been flying this year, with numerous race wins. They have shown excellent pace and another boat that like a bit of breeze to work with!
Jane Kearney and Ollie Goodhead
Back helming again this year after a number of years at the front of the boat, Jane and Ollie hope to pick up where they last left off taking third place in Skerries at the 2019 National Championships.
Ross Kearney and Andrew Vaughan
A new pairing for this year, showing some early form with victory at the Ulster’s back in May. A range of conditions will suit these two.
Ruan and Rebekah O’Tiarnaigh
The father and daughter team jumped into the class and have taken off very quickly. No surprise really with Ruan’s vast experience and past success in the class, they are showing some great pace and will be right up there at the front.
Keith and Matteo Louden
Keith teaming up with his youngest son has been great to see, a very light pairing who could cause some serious trouble if the conditions go in their favour. They will hope that their efforts in driving up from Derry to race in the spring series at Royal North will pay dividends with local knowledge.
One of the great joys with the current Irish GP fleet is that the competition is so strong the whole way through, there will be many teams aiming to compete in the top 10, Adrian Lee and Gareth Gallagher, Curly Morris and Meg Tyrell, Katie Dwyer and Michelle Rowley (fighting hard for first lady helm) and the McGuiness brothers to name a few.
Not to forget the battles throughout the Silver and Bronze fleet with new categories this year in addition to the youth overall prize, a Junior trophy (U19) and the first Lady Helm trophy will be awarded.
All in all, it looks to be a fantastic event, looking like 40 plus boats and half-decent weather forecast.
Racing starts on Saturday 2nd July at 12noon at Cultra on Belfast Lough.
