Ireland – Purcell Trophy – Greystones SC
Congratulations to Ger Owens & Mel Morris on their Purcell Trophy win. It was a hard fought battle between Ger & Mel and Greystones Shane MacCarty sailing with Damien Bracken. The Purcell Trophy 2017 was hosted by Greystones Sailing Club in Ireland, in their fantastic new harbour and clubhouse.
![Purcell Trophy 2017](https://gp14.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Purcell-Trophy-2017.jpg)
Report by Alan Thompson
After an hour’s wait on Sat morning for the mist to clear the 26 strong GP fleet finally launched.
Race 1 got underway with a clean start and no recall (unusual in this fleet). Ger Owens & Mel Morris were back in business with the win, Shane McCarthy & Damian Bracken taking 2nd with Alan Blay & David Johnston in 3rd.
Race 2 started with the wind starting to build. Shane & Damian took the win with Ger & Mel in 2nd and John & Donal McGuiness in 3rd.
Race 3 started with gusts of winds of 26 knots. Alan & David retired with gear
failure. Ger & Mel continued to dominate and brought home their 2nd win for the day. Shane & Damian picked up an OCD so Colman Grimes & Eoin Boyle came home in 2nd with Alistar Duffin & Andy Corkhill in 3rd.
Race 4 started on Sunday morning with lighter winds and sunshine, Ger & Mel once again on form with another win and Alan & David with their boat repaired took 2nd just ahead of Shane & Damian in 3rd.
Race 5 was a closely fought battle between Ger & Mel and Shane & Damian with Ger &Mel winning and Shane & Damian close behind in 2nd. Simon Culley & Libby Tierney pulled off a fantastic move on the downward leg by going close to the shore and took 3rd place.
Race 6 was cancelled as the wind died.
So the gold fleet was won by Ger & Mel.
The silver fleet was dominated by the Gallagher brothers, sailing well once again.
The bronze fleet was won by Josh Porter & Sina Hartman in their first event.