GP14 Leinster Championship at Rush Sailing Club

The 2004 GP14 season in Ireland kicked off with Rush Sailing Club playing host to the Leinster Championship on the 8 and 9 May. Despite light to moderate conditions, the Race Officer set some excellent courses and for the first time the Championship was decided over 5 races.

Paddy O’Connor and Tania MacHale from Sligo YC staked their claim on the silverware winning the first race of the season beating six times world champion Richard Estaugh and crew Alan Parker from Skerries SC into second. Alastair Duffin and Steven Nelson of Newtownards SC took third place with Tim Corcoran and Colm O’Flaherty once again of Sligo YC finishing in fourth.

By the end of the second race it a tight Championship was emerging with Estaugh and Parker taking their first win of the year. Second place went to John and Donal McGuinness from Moville with Duffin once again taking third place. Silver fleet sailors Johnny Park and Bob Stinson from Newtownards SC took fourth place.

Estaugh went into the first race in first place with six other boats were in contention but it was Stephen Boyle and Jim Larkin from Sutton who took the first gun with Corcoran taking second place and O’Connor being beaten into fourth by Norman and Bernard Lee from Greystones.

Estaugh and Parker were the clear leaders going into day 2 with O’Connor and MacHale in second and three boats tied for third.

Tim Corcoran made a flying start after a general recall but Hugh Gill and Stuart Boyle from Sutton DC ensured he didn’t keep the advantage as they won their first race of the season leaving Corcoran to be satisfied with second. Unfortunately, Corcoran’s luck had deserted him and after a successful protest, O’Connor and MacHale took his second place, Duffin once again took third place and Estaugh and Parker took fourth.

The final race saw O’Connor and Estaugh fighting it out for the Championship, but it was Estaugh who took the honours with his second win of event with Corcoran and O’Flaherty crossing the line in second and the McGuinesses taking third. O’Connor took the gun in fourth place with Duffin coming in 5th.

Overall Results: