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Those who think the GP14 is “an old boat for old people” would have got a shock if they looked out on the Malahide Estuary on weekend 5th & 6th July!

With funding support from the Irish Sailing Association, the GP14 Association of Ireland organised a training weekend at Swords Sailing and Boating Club, for the youth sailors of the GP14 fleet in preparation for the World Championships in Abersoch, North Wales later in the Summer. Ian Dobson, the current GP14 World Champion (having won the 2006 worlds at Sligo Yacht Club) was invited to carry out the intensive two day coaching program for the fourteen sailors including Alan Blay, former Irish Mirror class National Champion and Stephen Nelson, who crews with top GP14 sailor Alastair Duffin.

For the weekend, Met Eireann was predicting the usual gloomy forecast, and thus, a cold and wet weekend was expected. The first session took place on land and focused on the finer points of spinnaker work, which was very beneficial considering the majority of sailors present had recently graduated from the Mirror fleet, with its incredibly simple (and lazy) kite arrangement! The first on the water session was quickly commenced in a steady 9-12 knots and surprisingly, no rain. The morning was spent working on spinnaker hoists/drops, speed training, gate-starts and tacking exercises. The focus was on short, intense drills which kept the seven boats in close quarters at all times, so that each could measure their performance off one another. Following this, it was off the water for a lunch of sandwiches and soup, very kindly provided by the Swords Sailing and Boating Club.

During lunch the breeze began to build, reaching a steady force 5 (and yet, still no rain!) by the time the boats were heading back out, to provide some challenging conditions for the evening session. Ian took the fleet through ever more demanding spinnaker and upwind drills, building upon the improvement in basic boat handling skills developed during the morning’s session. The blustery conditions added an extra element of difficulty as crews undertook the manoeuvres, with many being caught out more than once, and going for a swim. There were more than one bend burgee and mud covered mainsail as boats headed back to shore for the evening debrief and a well deserved rest!!

Sunday morning started early, with a target to be on the water at 10 am. All eager sailors were on time as Ian Dobson took us through pictures from the previous days training, highlighting the good, the bad (and the ugly??). Following that, a brief discussion on any issues regarding rigging was held before heading back on to the water. Sunday’s session, taking place in sunny, light wind conditions, consisted of downwind starts, leeward mark roundings, general racing strategy and ended with a few races, allowing sailors to display their newly learned skills.

In the final debrief, Ian discussed any issues from the days training, and went through a few rule scenarios, including naming and shaming the major infringers of the day!

Overall, the weekend was a well organised and thoroughly enjoyable experience, with all of the youth sailors agreeing that it was hugely beneficial. Large thanks goes to Ian Dobson, the GP14 Association of Ireland, Swords Sailing and Boating Club and Donal McGuinness for helping to organise and run this fantastic weekend.

The Irish Sailing Association also deserves special mention as they have provided the GP14 Association of Ireland with funding to allow such events to occur. The Irish youth sailors would like to wish Ian Dobson good luck in his defence his title at the upcoming GP14 World Championships this August. For more information check out www.gp14ireland.com