Ireland celebrated a memorable home victory on Friday as Ger Owens of Wicklow Sailing Club and Mel Morris from East Antrim Sailing Club were crowned GP14 World Champions 2026, following a thrilling week of racing on Belfast Lough hosted by the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club.
The Irish duo secured the world title with a remarkably consistent series, finishing ahead of fellow Irish sailors Sam Street and Josh Lloyd of Blessington Sailing Club, who claimed the silver medal to complete an outstanding Irish one-two. Oli Hale and Harry Shaw of Great Britain rounded off the podium in third place after an equally impressive championship.
Sponsored by HD Sails, the final day provided one last challenge as Belfast Lough tested competitors with frustratingly light and unpredictable winds. After a lengthy postponement ashore, the fleet finally launched only for the opening race attempt to be abandoned when the breeze disappeared completely during the first beat.
With patience from competitors and race officials alike, the wind slowly returned, allowing Race Officer Ruan O’Tiárnaigh and his race management team to successfully restart racing. Despite the breeze remaining patchy and unstable, a shortened final race was completed, ensuring the championship concluded with eight races sailed.
The final race itself produced one last surprise, with a Silver Fleet crew taking an impressive race victory ahead of championship contenders after making the most of the shifting breeze on the final downwind leg. Throughout the fleet, sailors faced rapidly changing wind angles and difficult tactical decisions, providing a fitting end to one of the most challenging championships in recent years.
With two discards now counting, consistency across the week proved decisive. From the leaders battling for the world title to the close contests throughout the middle and lower sections of the 90-boat fleet, competitors from across Ireland, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and France enjoyed fiercely competitive racing in every position.
Competitor Adeel Khan of Welsh Harp Sailing Club, who sailed for Team Pakistan with American Carla Canestro, praised both the event and the competition.
“It was a great event. Every part of the fleet had really close competition. Whether you were at the front, in the middle or further back, there were always sailors around you to race against. It made for brilliant racing. It couldn’t have been easy for the race officer today, but they managed to get a race completed and everyone was delighted to finish the championship.”
Race Director Gerry Reid paid tribute to everyone who helped deliver the championship.
“What a fantastic week it’s been. Belfast Lough certainly tested everyone with every type of condition imaginable, but that’s what makes champions. I’d like to pay tribute to our Race Manager, Ruan O’Tiárnaigh, and the entire race management team for their professionalism and excellent decision-making throughout the week, as well as our incredible volunteers whose hard work behind the scenes made this championship possible.
Lindsay Nolan, Commodore of Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club who hosted the event said: “Thank you to Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, our sponsors, including today’s race sponsor HD Sails, Ards and North Down Borough Council, and every competitor who travelled from around the world and raced with such skill and great sportsmanship. Finally, congratulations to our new World Champions Ger Owens and Mel Morris, and to all of our fleet winners on a truly outstanding achievement. It has been a privilege to host you all, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back again in the future.”
After a week that delivered sunshine, torrential rain, heavy breeze, drifting conditions and dramatic wind shifts, the 2026 GP14 World Championships showcased exactly why Belfast Lough is regarded as one of the world’s most demanding and rewarding sailing venues. With Irish crews lifting the world title on home waters, it was a fitting conclusion to a spectacular week of international competition.
Visit www.rniyc.org for full race results.
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