Last weekend saw the GP14 Leinster Championships take place in the waters off HYC, attracting a fleet of 32 boats from clubs across Ireland. With the GP14 World Championships scheduled for Northern Ireland later this year, competitors took to the water to sharpen their skills in the art of the much-talked-about Gate Starts.

Conditions were generally good, with winds mostly between 15 and 20 knots on Saturday. An interesting squall arrived during Race 3 which, could have been a lot more challenging, but the HYC Safety Team had everything well handled. 

Race Officer Scorie Walls and her team of usual suspects delivered six excellent races over the weekend, producing close and exciting competition throughout the fleet. The Gate Starts were executed with great precision, thanks in no small part to the excellent boat handling of Tommy and Dillon on the Gate Launch and Eoin and Karolina on the Guard Launch.

The championship remained in doubt right up to the final leg of the final race. In the end, father-and-son team Peter and Stephen Boyle of Sutton Dinghy Club emerged victorious aboard Further, claiming the Leinster title with a net score of 15 points after counting five top-six finishes and discarding a ninth place. Adam and Emily Torrens of Newtownards Sailing Club finished just two points behind in second place on 17 points, while David Evans and William Draper of Sligo Yacht Club completed the podium on 21 points.

National Champions Ger Owens and Melanie Morris of Wicklow Sailing Club finished fourth overall, with John and Donal McGuinness of Moville Boat Club rounding out the top five.

Unfortunately, there was not to be a podium finish for the home fleet, but congratulations go to Peter and Stephen Boyle from just around the corner in Sutton Dinghy Club on a well-earned championship victory.

The event showcased the strength and depth of the GP14 class, with Gold, Silver and Bronze divisions ensuring competitive racing throughout the fleet and an excellent weekend of sailing hosted by HYC.