Sligo Yacht Club Duo Win 2023 GP14 Summer Open Championship

30th August 2023

Racing at the 2023 GP14 Summer Open Championship at Rush Sailing Club in North Dublin

Niall Henry and Ossian Geraghty from Sligo Yacht Club emerged as the 2023 GP14 Summer Open champions, held at Rush Sailing Club on August 19-20.

The event saw a strong turnout from sailors across the country, including a notable presence from the Blessington Sailing Club. The first day of racing had to be cancelled due to the remnants of storm Betty, but the second day saw two races for both the Youth Championship and the Summer Open.

In the Youths category, last year's runner-up Sam Street and Josh Lloyd from Blessington Sailing Club took the gun in the first race, with local sailor Riaghan Boardman and former Youth champion Colman Grimes coming in second. Max Cully and Tighe Wardell led around the windward mark in the second race but capsized on the last reach, allowing Street and Lloyd to finish first and win the Youth (U22) title. Cully and Wardell took the U19 Championship, while Boardman finished third and took the U16 Championship.

The GP14s racing at Rush Sailing Club with Lambay Island in the background

Moving on to the Summer Open, strong tides and a crowded start line made for some messy starts at the Committee boat. In both races, Alan Blay and Hugh McNally from Sutton Dinghy Club took two race wins but were disqualified for two OCSs. This left the door open for Niall Henry and Ossian Geraghty to take the championship, with Ger Owens and Mel Morris coming in second. Max and Tighe Wardell, who had a strong performance in the Youths, finished fourth overall in the Summer Open.

Downwind sailing at Rush Sailing Club in the GP14 Summer Open event

The Rush Sailing Club and event organiser Alan Butterly were praised for running a great event despite the challenges posed by the weather.

GP14 Summer Open Champions Niall Henry and Ossian Geraghty, pictured centre, with Andy Johnson of the GP14 Class (left) and Rush Sailing Club event organiser Alan Butterly

GP14 Summer Open Youth Champions Sam Street and Josh Lloyd

GP14 Summer Open U19 Champions Max Cully and Tighe Wardell

GP14 Summer Open U16 Champion Riaghan Boardman

The GP14 Championship of Ireland kicks off on September 1-3 at Sutton Dinghy Club, and a fleet of 35 boats is expected.

Results below and youth results here

Race Results

You may need to scroll vertically and horizontally within the box to view the full results

Published in GP14

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GP14

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