The seasons first GP14 event was held in Sligo Yacht Club last weekend. With the Progressive Credit Union GP14 World Championships in Skerries later in 2022, it was great to see 5 Sutton Dinghy 
Club crews made the trip, 6 if you include Ruan & Rebekah O’Tiatrnaigh who sailed under Ballyholme Yacht Club and Sutton Dinghy Club burgees. Ruan, back in a GP14 competitively for the first time in a long while is campaigning for the Worlds with his daughter who is racing GP14 for the first time this season.
Katie Dwyer & Michelle Rowley sailed on Saturday but due to illness pulled out of Sunday. A shame as they are getting to grips with the new boat. Great to see Conor Twohig after his adventures in Austria & Matthew Cotter make the trip. Alan Blay & Hugh McNally who won the last event of 2021, the Munster Championship, Hugh & Dan Gill and Peter & Stephen Boyle made up the remaining Sutton interest.
A wet and windy Saturday, saw 3 races and 3 different race winners finished with Peter & Stephen Boyle lying 2nd behind Ger Owens & Mel Morris with Hugh & Dan in 6th and Ruan & Rebekah in 8th.
Three more races on Sunday with wind lighter and more shifty saw plenty of restarts and black flag casualties including Ger Owens, Alan Blay and Hugh Gill. 3 new race winners including Hugh & Dan (R6) and Ruan & Rebekah (R5) and consistent racing saw the Sutton boats do well with Peter & Stephen Boyle eventually finishing 2nd behind Ger Owens with Ruan & Rebekah O’TIarniagh having kept their noses clean took 3rd. Good recovery and a great win in Race 6 saw Hugh & Dan take 4th. Conor & Matthew made it into the top 10. Full report can be read on the GP14 Ireland website.