FORTY sailors arrived in Kilkishen and surrounding areas for the GP14 Munster Championships last weekend.

Ordinarily all dinghy sailing events conclude in October with only the hardiest of sailors competing in what is known as the frostbite series. However, sailing like most sporting events has been impacted by COVID-19 with the GP14 Munster championships due to take place in May instead being held last weekend.

A tumultuous event with wild and mild weather greeting the forty sailors that arrived in Kilkishen in the event hosted by Cullaun Sailing Club. Saturday saw wild winds gusting strongly across the lake challenging all competitors to their limits and providing the fleet with some of the best heavy weather sailing of the season. This was followed on Sunday by lighter trickier winds, and sunshine which changed the dynamic of the regatta as well as the leader board as the sailing went from survival of the fittest to a serious tactical battle.

In the end it was won by Alan Blay from Sutton with Katie Dwyer from Sutton coming a close second and JP and Carolyn McCaldin from Lough Ern finished third. Sam and Matthew Street from Blessington took junior honours. There was a difference of nearly six decades between the oldest and youngest in the same fleet.

Gallagher’s Pub in Kilkishen and Carmel Cronin ensured the fleet were looked after following the action on the water.