With just ten days to go, final preparations are under way at Holywood’s Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club as it prepares to host one of the biggest sailing events ever staged on Belfast Lough – the GP14 World Championships from 8–14 August.
Around 100 world-class boats are expected to descend on North Down, with competitors travelling from across the globe to compete for one of sailing’s most prestigious titles. The championship is expected to deliver a significant boost to the local economy, with hundreds of visitors filling hotels, restaurants, cafés and shops throughout the week.
Behind the scenes, an army of volunteers has spent months preparing for the event. In recent weeks, boat parks have been cleared, hedges trimmed, paintwork refreshed and the final finishing touches completed as the Club gets ready to welcome sailors, officials and supporters from around the world.
The fleet will include competitors from Canada, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and France, alongside strong entries from Great Britain and Ireland, making this one of the most international GP14 World Championships ever hosted.
The build-up begins the previous weekend when Carrickfergus Sailing Club hosts the GP14 Irish National Championships. Many of the world’s leading crews will use the event to fine-tune their boats and race strategies before the World Championships move onto Belfast Lough.
Event Director Gerry Reid said: “There’s a real buzz around the Club as we enter the final countdown. Our volunteers have put in an incredible amount of work over many months, and we’re looking forward to welcoming competitors, families and supporters from across the world to Belfast Lough. The racing promises to be world-class, while the social programme will ensure everyone experiences the renowned hospitality of Royal North.”
This year’s championship will also showcase a number of innovations designed to enhance both the racing and spectator experience. Robotic race marks will be used throughout the regatta, while every competing boat will carry a GPS tracker, allowing the fleet to be followed live online. Racing will also be streamed onto large screens around the Yacht Club, giving spectators ashore a front-row seat to all the action.
Royal North Commodore Lindsay McCarty Nolan said: “Hosting a World Championship is a tremendous honour for Royal North and for Northern Ireland. Our volunteers have worked tirelessly to ensure every detail is in place, and we can’t wait to welcome sailors and their families from across the globe to experience our Club, Belfast Lough and the warm hospitality for which this part of the world is renowned.”
Racing gets under way on Sunday 9 August, with the fleet competing on the waters between Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club and Grey Point. Over six days of championship racing, the world’s best GP14 sailors will battle for one of the class’s most coveted titles, while competitors and visitors enjoy a packed programme of entertainment and social events ashore.
Visitors are encouraged to come along and soak up the atmosphere, with racing visible from many vantage points around Belfast Lough and a lively programme of events taking place at the Club throughout the week.
For the full event programme, visit www.rniyc.org.