GP14 Ireland Autumn Open at Donaghadee Sailing Club

The weekend of 13/14 September saw Donaghadee Sailing Club play host to the GP14 Association of Ireland’s Autumn Open. Unfortunately, strong winds gusting to 38 knots played havoc with the racing schedule on Saturday forcing Race Officer Jimmy McKee to cancel all racing for the day.

Sunday brought sailable conditions although force 3-5 winds coupled with strong tides ensured some testing courses for the competitors. Curly Morris and crew Laura McFarland from East Antrim Boat Club took the honours in the opening race with Alistair Duffin and Stephen Nelson from Newtownards Sailing Club finishing in second. Following a disappointing season, John and Donal McGuinness from Moville Boat Club staged a return to form taking third place. Nigel Sloan and Ross Boyd of NSC sailed an excellent race to take fourth and the lead in the silver fleet with Donaghadee’s Kyle Pritchard and William Anderson claiming the lead in the bronze.

Fresh from a close defeat in the Irish Championship, Duffin was not to be beaten into second place and took the second race from the McGuinness brothers in second place. Paddy O’Connor and Tania MacHale from Sligo Yacht Club who have been sailing consistently well all season took third place.

The final race saw McGuinness, Duffin and Morris battle it out for the win and it was McGuinness who crossed the line in first, however, it was Duffin just behind him in second who took first overall by just one point. Despite stiff competition in the Silver fleet, first place eventually went to Olive Parker and crew Allen Parker of Skerries Sailing Club. With a sizeable entry from Donaghadee’s growing GP14 fleet making up the Bronze the honours there eventually went to the Club’s Kyle Pritchard and William Anderson.

Overall Results: