2005 Ok Worlds and Danish Nationals

Skæskør, Denmark

 

 

 

Home America's Cup  Olympics 2008 Grand Prix Kiwi Campaigns NZ Racing Junior Sailing

Event Calendar Coaching Classics Environment Free Classified  Links Site Changes Photo Gallery

 

          

 

 

 

From the European Front:

 

Day 1 World OK Championships - Kiwi wins second race, GBR leads overall

 

The 2005 OK Dinghy World Championship opened in Skæskør in Denmark today with two testing races in a range of conditions and frequent use of the black flag.

 

Overnight leader Nick Craig (GBR) described the day as ‘very, very tricky’ with a strong current flowing up the course causing a large number of general recalls and the many windshifts causing postponements while the course was reset.

 

Yesterday’s practice race was sailed in all together different conditions. Only seventeen boats finished the long course with most of the leaders dropping out before the finish. The windy and rough conditions proved ideal for Ulf Brandt (DEN) who won from Greg Wilcox (NZL) and Roger Blasse (AUS).

 

With the imposing eastern section of the Storebælt Bridge dominating the horizon to the north, the race area was set in the Agerso Sund, between the island of Egholm and Skælskør Fjord.

 

Today, the morning conditions were more sedate with a gentle 6 knots blowing and scattered showers which reduced visibility. However the fleet had to wait for well over an hour before getting away for the first start after a number of general recalls and several changes in wind direction. When the fleet finally started the wind had increased to a good Force 3-4. Five boats were black flagged including Andre Blasse (AUS) who had scored a pair of them before the day was out.

 

The port biased start line proved very tricky with Jon Fish (GBR) coming out from the pin with speed to lead round the top mark. The strong current favoured those on the left and Fish led from Nick Craig (GBR) and Steve McDowell (NZL). Craig and McDowell moved passed Fish on the reaches, opened up a good lead and started a tacking duel on the next beat. McDowell was ahead at the final leeward mark but Craig realed him in to take the first win of the week. The chasing Pack was led by Roger Blasse (AUS) and Jonas Quist (SWE). Andre Blasse finished fifth but was scored BFD.

 

The second race of the day was started in less wind, again after a number of general recalls and changes in wind direction. Again the black flag had its victims, again Andre Blasse, but also Jonas Quist and two others. Also again there was a port biased line with a port tack biased beat. Mogens Johansen used his light weather boatspeed to great effect to round the top mark first ahead of Nick Craig and Steve McDowell. There followed two very long offwind legs against the current which saw large place changes as sailors misjudged it and were swept off the layline. 

 

On the second beat the 2002 World Champion Greg Wilcox (NZL), who had moved up to third on the reaches, tacked off to the left first to find a 40 degree shift. Taking the lead he led to the finish followed by Johensen, Craig and Sonke Behrens (GER). However, on the final beat Behrens moved up to second to be followed by Craig and Johansen. Pawel Pawlaczyk (POL) sailed a good race to finish fifth while Roger Blasse got out of jail on the 40 degree shift to finished sixth.

 

After the long day at sea – the sailors were on the water for some seven and a half hours for just two races, Wilcox commented, 'Today was hard, and one thing is for sure, this is going to be a high scoring regatta. However Danish hospitality is living up to expectations.' The sailors are all located at the local school with the boatpark on the grass in front of the rooms. Free beer is provided when coming ashore and the nice town of Skælskør is just a short walk down the road.

 

Two more races are scheduled for Tuesday.

 

Results after 2 races (provisional)

 

1 Nick Craig GBR-2116    1   3   4pts 

2 Roger Blasse AUS- 678   3   6   9pts 

3 Mogens Jophansen DEN-1335   5   4   9pts 

4 Greg Wilcox NZL-522   16   1   17pts 

5 Pawel Pawlaczyk POL-14   12   5   17pts 

6 Steve McDowell NZL-525   2   17   19pts 

7 Ulf Brandt DEN-1302   8   12   20pts 

8 Martin von Zimmermann GER-693   15   8   23pts 

9 Frank Hansen DEN-1345   6  19   25pts 

10 Jorgen Lindhardtsen DEN-1280   7   18   25pts

11 Mark Perrow NZL521 10  16  26pts

15 Alistair Deaves NZL-472 28  11  39pts

27 Trent Pryce NZL-490 36  24  60pts

34 Grant Pedersen NZL-518  44  28  72pts

39 Wayne Avery NZL-508  49  26  75pts

50 Darren Hunt NZL-498  38  53  91pts

52 Mike Wilde NZL-515  41  52  93pts

61 Phil Rzepecky NZL-500 BFD  56  121pts

 

From Robert Deaves (GBR)

 

 

Day 2World OK Championships -  GBR extends lead after four races

 

Conditions once again proved tricky for day 2 of the OK Dinghy World Championship in Skælskør, Denmark with wins for Jonas Quist (SWE) and Nick Craig (GBR).

With another change in the weather, the fleet was greeted by warm sunshine and a light north-westerly wind from the direction of the Storebælt Bridge. The fleet got away first time with most sailors favouring the left hand side of the course where the stronger current and greater pressure allowed Nick Craig (GBR) to round first followed by Jonas Quist (SWE) and Jesper Petersen (DEN).

 

Nick Craig wins his second racePhoto: Per Heegaard – www.heegaardfotografi.dk

On the reaches Craig sailed low and was rolled by both Quist and Petersen, but these three broke away from the pack. On the next beat the pressure died even more to leave a very patchy and fitful wind. Oliver Gronholtz (GER) banged in a right hand corner to lead briefly and at the next mark it was Quist followed by Gronholtz and Craig.

The final beat was even worse with barely enough wind to fill the sails. Quist extended his lead to win, but Craig just failed to overtake Gronholtz near to the line. Petersen sailed hard right and nearly got to the front, but just missed the bus.

Jonas Quist has returned to competitive sailing after nearly 10 years doing other things. After following the Optimist, Europe, Laser route – and getting into the top five Lasers in Sweden – he turned to coaching, but is really enjoying sailing the OK, with this championship being only his third regatta in the class. He started with a “not very good” result at the first Swedish qualifier in April, returned to win the Nordic Championships in May and now has won a race at the World Championship. He says, “ My rig was a bit too stiff in the breeze today, as I have lost some weight since starting. However if the wind stays at around 4-6 metres per second, then I think I can do OK. I am happy with my downwind technique but am having some upwind boatspeed problems. Also I was having trouble getting a good start, and yesterday’s black flag did not help, but today was better. Otherwise! I am pretty pleased with my performance so far.” Quite! Not bad after just 6 months in the class and not sailing competitively since 1996.

After a wait of over an hour for the wind to fill it the fleet started Race 4 on a heavily port biased line that made the pin end boat crew wished they had brought some artillery along to repel boarders! However Jørgen Lindhardtsen, Craig, Quist and Jon Fish (GBR) tacked out of the carnage to lead up the first beat into a large shift. Craig just led from Lindhardtsen round the top mark followed by Quist and Fish. Craig again sailed some first class offwind legs to let both Quist and Lindhardtsen through.

By now the breeze had increased to force 3 and was still building. Craig passed Lindhardtsen and set off in pursuit of Quist. However on the run, Quist showed his potential by pulling away with Craig fending off Lindhardtsen. Meanwhile Hans Elkjær (SWE) had an amazing leg to move up to fourth.

The final beat proved decisive for Craig as the breeze increased to force 4 he overtook Quist with a combination of superior boatspeed and correctly nailing the final few shifts to take his second race win of the week. Lindhardtsen finished third with Fish recovering well to fourth – but a later disqualification gave fourth place to Elkjær.

After four races, Craig is the clear leader, although with the discard taking effect after race 5 race tomorrow, his lead may not be so large. Tonight the local organisers have arranged a match racing competition inside the fjord with a prize of half the winner’s weight in beer. Needless to say, each country has ensured its heaviest sailor represents them!

 

 For full results see here: OK Worlds Provisional Results

 

Report from Robert Deaves GBR

 

KS270705

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3World OK Championships -  Wilcox wins both races for NZL

 

Kiwi OK sailor, Steve McDowell, filed this report after the third day of the OK Worlds:

The Kiwi team dominated day three of the 2005 OK Dinghy World Championship being held at Skaelskor, Denmark. 2002 World Champion Greg Wilcox won both of the races with a host of other New Zealanders featuring in the top 10.

Steve McDowell (NZL) racing on Day 3

In race 5 , half the top 10 were Kiwis and in race 6, 3 of the top 5 . This result comes after extensive sail development and training for this event.


Light and variable winds were expected which is what we have, although the breeze is often very patchy and shifty.

Greg Wilcox currently lies in third position, needing some big scores from the two leaders in the next four races to improve his overall standing; not totally impossible given the conditions. Two races are scheduled for tomorrow and two for Saturday.

Also near the top are Steve McDowell in 7th, Mark Perrow in 13th and Alistair Deaves in 15th..

Good scores have also been posted by fellow team mates as well. Wayne Avery finished 5th in race 3 and Trent Pryce finished 4th in Race 5.

With conditions set to remain the same for the rest of the week hopes are high for more Kiwi success and possibly another OK Dinghy World Champion.

 

For full results see here: OK Worlds Provisional Results

Word by Robert Deaves; Photos by Jens Christian Jensen:

Greg Wilcox (NZL) won both races today and moves up to third position overall, on the third day of  racing in the World OK Championships in Skælskør Denmark.

 

Two second places for Nick Craig (GBR) has extended his lead after six races. With the discard kicking in today, Jonas Quist (SWE) moves up to second after dropping his black flag disqualification on day 1.

 

“One of the best day’s racing I’ve ever had', said Wilcox reflecting on the day.

 

 A north-westerly breeze and brilliant sunshine greeted the fleet for day 3 of the OK Dinghy World Championship at with another day of patchy, testing winds that saw many high profile casualties picking up high scores.

 Wilcox sails home with two guns

Race 5 got underway in a force 2-3 with most of the favourites sailing up the left side of the course. Steve McDowell (NZL) led round the first mark followed by Roger Blasse (AUS), Greg Wilcox (NZL) and Nick Craig (GBR). The left was favoured again on the second beat with Craig and Wilcox pulling ahead and building a gap on the fleet. Craig briefly moved into the lead on the run but round the last leeward mark Wilcox tacked for the left again while Craig covered the majority up the middle. Wilcox proved right and won the race by some 20 seconds from Craig and Blasse. The final beat saw a 30 degree shift to the left, leaving many boats on the right and middle counting more boats than expected.

 

After being DSQ’d by the jury for hitting a mark yesterday and picking up an OCS in the second race today, Jon Fish (GBR) is still celebrating his win at last night’s unofficial ‘OK World Match Racing Championship’. The event was sailed in the enclosed waters off the school where the regatta has been hosted and just across from the Harboe brewery which has kindly sponsored the OK Worlds  - and in generously provided the match racing prize of half the winner’s body weight in beer. Four windward-leeward races were sailed with two countries eliminated at each round. The final saw Fish against Janusz Stobinski (POL), with Fish inflicting two penalties before the start. However it was all over by the first leeward as the Pole capsized to leave Fish the proud winner of over 120 cans of Harbroe beer – a small consolation.

 

Race 6 was sailed in similar conditions to Race 5, with the wind continually flicking left and several corner bangers making massive gains. Craig started mid line and came out on the first shift to lead up the middle. He rounded the top mark just ahead of Jonus Quist (SWE) and Wilcox.  At the bottom mark Quist was right behind Craig and these two sailed to the left while Wilcox caught up some distance finding pressure to the right. On the run Quist again showed devastating speed to close right up on Craig and the two became inseparable up the final beat.

The school where the OK Worlds competitors are staying

Locked in a tack for tack battle, Craig never let up, but Wilcox, allowed to sail his own race, went right, although he initially looked in a poor position,100 metres down on the leaders. However a last minute shift from the right brought him back between Craig and Quist to tack for the line and win his second race of the day by less than half a boatlength.

 

Before this regatta, Wilcox had only ever won one OK World Championship race, and that was the clinching race in the 2002 World Championship, which won him the world title. This week, Wilcox has already notched up three race wins, and is ready for more. He said, “After the race win in Napier three years ago, this is the best day’s racing I have ever had. You can’t ask for better than winning two World Championship races on the same day.”

 

 Talking about the racing so far he continues, “However, it’s like a minefield out there with holes and shifts and pressure coming in from all directions. But I think I’m doing well because I am being allowed to sail my own race and haven’t got sucked into playing games with other boats. Nick is proving very consistent with top 3 every race so far which is incredible in conditions like these.”  

With six races down, there are still four to go and in the challenging winds off Skælskør Fjord, there is still a long way to go.

 

 

Close finish in Race 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KS280705

 

Day 4 World OK Championships -  Danish charge

The seventh race for the 2005 OK World Championship was a Danish benefit with four home boats leading the fleet home. Series leader Nick Craig (GBR) finished fifth just ahead of his main rivals Jonus Quist (SWE) and Greg Wilcox (NZL).
Sailors were today greeted by a complete change of scenery with the wind having clocked 180 degrees overnight to come off the shore, bringing with it the pleasant smell of the uncovered rocks and seaweed.

Mogens Johansen                   Ulf Brandt                 Jørgen Lindhardtsen

With the most consistent breeze of the week so far, the fleet got away first time. Jorgen Lindhardtsen (DEN) started at the pin end with Peter Wibro (DEN) and Mogens Johansen (DEN). Half way up the first beat it was clear that the left hand side was favoured with Johansen sailing the furthest left before tacking.

Those who did sail to the left hand corner had a fine view of the Danish Crown Prince’s yacht, which was in attendance for the Dragon invitational trophy being sailed just downwind of the OK course area.

At the first mark Johansen lead from Wibro, Lindhardtsen and Robert Deaves (GBR). The chasing pack was led by Ulf Brandt (DEN). The series leaders were all buried in the mid teens. Nothing much happened on the offwind legs and the following beat was much the same with the four leading boats exchanging places until the top mark again. Wibro just slipped round ahead, with Brandt still in fifth.

Again the run was uneventful, except that Nick Craig (GBR) and Jonus Quist (SWE) were pulling ever closer to the front. Round the bottom mark Brandt carried on to the right while the rest tacked off to the left again. When the fleet met, he was well ahead but tried it again and fell foul of a big left shift which left all four Danes within metres of each other just 200 metres from the finish. Deaves dropped three places when he caught some weed, which let Craig and Quist through.

At the finish Johansen pipped Lindhardtsen by a few metres as they both had to bear away having overstood the finish. Lindhardtsen related, “I should have tacked earlier and then I might have won, but my body didn’t do what my brain was telling it to!” Two seconds later Wibro and Brandt finished, with Craig, Quist and Deaves just a few second behind them.

For Johansen this is is a dream come true. This 55 year old has been sailing OKs for 25 years and has never really proved himself. Earlier this year he bought himself a new Hylander hull and got some winter coaching with AC sailor Michael Hestbæk. In Denmark the Mogens phenomenon, as it has become known, has inspired other to copy his boat setup but no one can match his light weather downwind speed, although at just 81 kg, in a breeze he admits to having problems keeping up with the leaders.

With two of the top four having high scoring races today, Craig’s position at the top is extended to 12 points on Quist and 26 on Wilcox in third. Tomorrow’s forecast is for thunderstorms and torrential rain, which could add something different to the mix.

For full results see here: OK Worlds Provisional Results

KS290705

 

Kiwi Campaigns

 

Day 5 World OK Championships -  No Racing

 

 We all know that sailors love to talk about the weather, but today in Skælskør, Denmark at the OK Dinghy World Championships, that was all they could do.

 Nick Craig (GBR) leading on points with one day to sail

And they had plenty of material. Waiting on the sound for over four hours for a race to start, first there was a light north-easterly and mist, then this cleared to leave flat calm, brilliant sunshine and soaring temperatures, then it some wind came from the south-east and died, then it cooled down and some more built again from the west...and died.

 

Finally a breeze appeared from the north-west and a course was set. But as the sailors checked the shifts and prepared for the race an enormous thunderstorm approached and with winds reaching 25 knots and torrential rain, racing was postponed and the sailors were sent home, only to find no wind inside the fjord and most had to be towed the few miles back to the sailing centre.

 

However it was not over yet. On arrival at the shore, the postponement was still up and a further wait of an hour ensued until the PRO finally admitted defeat and abandoned for the day.

 

Tomorrow is the final scheduled day and it is technically possible to run three races, so the final result is by no means certain. But by tomorrow night there will be a new OK Dinghy World Champion.

 

Robert Deaves

 

Day 6 World OK Championships -  Craig Wins Title. Greg Wilcox (NZL) third.

 

The final day of the 2005 OK Dinghy World Championships began with rain, no wind and a 2 hour postponement. It ended with Nick Craig (GBR) becoming the new OK Dinghy World Champion after seven previous serious campaigns and describing the struggle as 'one of the hardest things I have ever tried to win.'

Nick Craig (GBR) the new world OK champion. (OKWorld2005.de)

The sailors were held on shore for two  hours while the rain battered down and the wind failed to come. Even the frogs started to come indoors because outside was so wet. Finally at 11 am, the postponement flag came down and the fleet was towed out to a glass like sea wondering what was going on.

 

However a breeze appeared and a course was set and Race 8 commenced in barely enough wind to cross the start line. Nick Craig said afterwards, 'It was shocker, they should have waited a bit longer. There was barely enough wind to sail with massive shifts from each side. Jonus Quist (SWE) sailed an excellent first beat though to win. I was doing OK until the wind dies and got buried in the middle. I rounded the top mark in about 20th.  And caught up a few on the reaches. On the second beat I went right a bit caught a big shift and moved up to 3rd. Lost one on the final leg to finished 4th, but that was enough.'

 

With not enough time to run two races, Nick Craig had finally won the OK Worlds, after many medals but no wins.  Jonas Quist (SWE) was second overall, with Greg Wilcox (NZL) thirds, Roger Blasse (4th) and class icon, Jorgen Lindhardtsen (DEN) 5th overall.

This year, 67 competitors from Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, India, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden and the UK are competed in the regatta and based on performances so far this year, the favourite was Nick Craig (GBR). Wins at the Medemblik Spring Cup, Kieler Woche, Warnemünder Woche and most recently the Danish Nationals last weekend, made him the man to beat.

Until 2004, no British sailor had ever won the OK Worlds. Jim Hunt put that right last year at Parkstone on the UK’s south coast, but many thought that Craig would be the first, such had been his results over the past eight years with a string of podium positions. Craig was runner up last year to Hunt in the 2004 Worlds.

Craig has shown some extremely consistent form this season, so consistent in fact that he won at Warnemunde without winning a race, and only won one race at the Danish Nationals. Although not the quickest boat out there, but has shown again and again that he is one of the few that can repeatedly put together a solid series of races.

Craig said of his win, 'this is awesome. I am over the moon, and really happy to have won it finally! It has been the hardest thing I have ever tried to win. It is very satisfying.'

 

For the start  of Race 9, a strong wind arrived for for once the sailors could stretch their legs in the force 4-5. Jon Fish rounded the top mark in first and would have done well apart from a splash down the run which dropped him to 20th. On the second beat Roger Blasse (AUS) and Mark Perrow (NZL) banged the right hand corner - found a good shift and more wind to take the lead and win the race in the fantastic sailing conditions.

 

Robert Deaves

For full results see here: OK Worlds Final Results

KS310705

 

Kiwi Campaigns

Day 3 Danish OK Nationals - Kiwi finishes fourth, Britain wins.

 

Kiwi OK sailor, Mark Perrow from Wakatere Boating Club has won the final race and finished in fourth place in the Danish OK Nationals, sailed in Bisserup, Denmark. The regatta is the final warm-up for the World Championships which begin in Skaelskor in south-western Zealand, Denmark starting on 23rd July.

Trent Pryce (NZL) returns to Bisserup after the final race in the Danish Nationals.

The Danish Nationals were won by Nick Craig (GBR) who was runner up in the 2004 World Championships. Craig won the penultimate race and then finished third in the final race (his worst placing in the series) Second overall was Jorgen Lindhardtsen - a 30 year veteran in the class who is more than capable of giving younger sailors a run for their money. Lindhardtsen won both races on the opening day, but couldn't hold out Nick Craig who sailed a very consistent series and must go into the World titles as favorite - even if Lindhardsten is the emotional favorite.

 

Former world champion, Greg Wilcox was next bets performed Kiwi in 8th place overall, a couple of fourth placings were his best results .

 

Other New Zealand places; Alistair Deaves 10th (9,11); Trent Pryce 12th (16,16); Philip Rzepecky 13th ((11,13); Mike Wilde 16th (20,15); Grant Pedersen 18th (12,18); Darren Hunt 20th (12,18); Wayne Avery 22nd (27,21).

 

There were 44 competitors in the fleet with GBR, GER, IND, NZL, DEN, POL and SWE being represented.

 

KS 180705

 

Kiwi Campaigns

Danish OK Nationals - Day 2 - big breeze, big seas

 

Two races were sailed on the second day of the Danish OK Nationals in which ten Kiwi sailors are competing. The weather came to the party with a 15 to 20 knots breeze with one metre swells, making for some great rides downwind. Overall the lead has ben taken by GBR's Nick Craig, runner up in the 2004 World Championships with the first day leader, Jorgen Lindhardtsen now lying second overall.

Top placed Kiwi sailor, Mark Perrow surfs in the Danish OK Nationals

Race 3 was won by Christian Midtgaard (DEN) from Nick Craig (GBR) and Gunter Arndt (GER). Mark Perrow (NZL) was 6th and Greg Wilcox (NZL) finished 10th after recovering well from a bad first beat.

 

Race 4 was won by Nick Craig (GBR) from Gunter Arndt (GER) and Jorgen Lindhartsen (DEN). NZL placings, Greg Wilcox (4th), Alistair Deaves (7th) and Mark Perrow (9th).

 

Overall placings after 4 races,

Nick Craig 1st; Jorgen Lindhartsen 2nd; Gunter Arndt 3rd

 

NZL placings overall

Mark Perrow 5th; Trent Pryce 10th; Greg Wilcox 12th; Alistair Deaves 15th; Darren Hunt 16th; Wayne Avery 17th; Grant Pedersen 18th; Phil Rzepecky 19th; Mike Wilde 22nd

 

There are two final races tomorrow, forecast breeze is similar around 15 knots. A few of the kiwis will also benefit from a drop coming in after some gear damage and black flag starts yesterday

 

From Mark Perrow 170705

Returning home

 

For some more excellent pictures of the OK racing and sailing in Denmark - click here

 

Kiwi Campaigns

Evergreen  Lindhardtsen Leads the Danish OK Nationals

 

Denmark's Jorgen Lindhardtsen has made an impressive start to the 2005 Danish OK Nationals, winning both races.

 

In his 60th year, this is a rare feat in open dinghy sailing. The regatta is a warm-up for the World Championships also being sailed in Denmark and many of the international competitors in that event are sailing in the Danish Nationals.

 Lindhardtsen training before the 2002 OK Worlds in Napier.

Second overall is the top British sailor, Nick Craig - who took second place in both races to Lindhardtsen, and these tow have already stepped out on the rest of the 44 strong fleet.

 

Best placed skipper for NZ is Mark Perrow, from North Shore's Wakatere Boating Club who also finished with a double - two fifth placings. Of the Other Kiwis the day was a very mixed bag, with several either not starting, not finished or being black flagged at the start - which distort the overall results a little.

 

Mark Perrow had this to say on their NZ Team's fortunes on the first day of racing:

 

'We have just finished the first day of racing in the Danish OK dinghy Nationals at Bisserup.

 

'After 2 races the event is being lead by Danish Finn and OK legend Jorgen Lindhardtsen.

 

'Jorgen is a 4 time Olympian in Finn dinghies and sailed the Finn in the 1976 Olympics

 

'Nick Craig from Britain (runner up in the 2004 World Championships) is in second overall in the 44 boat fleet.

 

'Two races were sailed today in moderate conditions 10 to 15 knots with a lumpy sea..

 

'After two races NZL places are as follows: Mark Perrow 4th, Trent Pryce 7th, Phil Rzepecky 12th, Grant Pedersen 13th, Wayne Avery 15th, Darren Hunt 17th, Greg Wilcox 21st, Mike Wilde 23rd and Alistair Deaves 29th overall.'

 

KS160705

 

Kiwi Campaigns

Kiwi second in Germany in OKs

 

New Zealand OK sailor Greg Wilcox has finished second in Warnemünder Woche sailed in Germany.

 

Wilcox sailing at Warnemünder Woche (Photo Sailing Shots)

He finished one place adrift of World #2, Nick Craig (GBR) who added this championship to his wins in the Medemblik Spring Cup and Kieler Woche to dominate the International OK scene so far in 2005. Thirty five boats mostly from Germany and Denmark competed in the regatta.

 

Going into the last race, Craig finished in second place, compared to Wilcox’s 5th  – allowing him to move past Wilcox who had led the regatta throughout. was enough to move ahead of the series leader from day one. Interestingly Wilcox was the only skipper to win two races, and Craig turned in a very consistent performance to win the regatta without winning a single race.

 

The regatta opened on Friday 8th July in light and sometimes quite variable winds. Martin von Zimmerman (GER) got away in race 1 to score the first of a consistent series while Wilcox started an excellent day with a 2nd after taking 15 places on the final offwind legs of the inner loop trapezoid course. Wilcox rounded up the day with two emphatic wins in the very tricky conditions. Craig recovered from a mediocre 5th in race 1 to score two seconds.

 

Nick Craig (GBR) finished second in the 2004 World Championships. (Photo Sailing Scenes)

Occasional race leader Jörgen Lindhardtsen (DEN) suffered from the vagaries of the wind to dramatically drop out of the three in two races to post a 20-4-12 scoreline for the day. A special word for Lindhardtsen. Great to see him still winning races in this very competitive class. The former world champion's competitive life goes back into the 1977 World Championships at Takapuna, and beyond.

 

Saturday’s racing was the traditional and expected conditions that sailors travel to Warnemünder for – big waves and solid winds up to force 5. The left side was consistently the way to go and Oliver Gronholtz found the right track to lead throughout with Lindhardtsen 2nd and Craig 3rd. Lindhardtsen, who turns 60 this year, then revelled in the fantastic sailing conditions in race 5 to hold off Craig to win. Wilcox’s overnight lead had diminished to two points after placing 7th and 3rd.

 

With all to play for on the last day, Nick Craig set the pace in the light but strengthening breeze although Thomas Glas (GER) overtook briefly on the run. Wilcox was back in 8th. Craig led until the final offwind legs when Johansen Mogens (DEN) showed exceptional offwind pace to take the lead and extend it to win comfortably. Craig held onto second, which was just enough – with Wilcox unable to climb higher than 5th – to take the event by one point.

 

Next weekend the fleet moves on to Bisserup in Denmark for the Danish Nationals before the World Championships in Skaelskør the week after.

 

From Robert Deaves (GBR) and KiwiSpy 120705

 

 

 

OK Sailors head for Denmark's Fjords

 

Ten Kiwi OK Dinghy sailors are headed for Europe to compete in the 2005 OK Worlds which are being held at Skaelskor in south-western Zealand, Denmark. Most are leaving next week to compete in the regatta which is being staged from 23rd to 30th July.

 

The worlds fleet is restricted to 80 entries and it is understood that all have been taken up.

 

Part of the ten strong team pack the container

The Kiwi team will be competing in the Danish Nationals as a build up regatta, which is being sailed about 20 miles away in the town of Bisserup from July 15th to 17th.

 

An ISAF international class, the OK Dinghy is having has a resurgence worldwide since carbon masts were allowed into the class two years ago. In New Zealand the class is being actively promoted as a boat for young sailors coming out of Starlings or similar Junior and Youth classes – particularly those who don’t want the whole Olympic scene but want to be involved in competitive yachting and gain international experience.

 

“Half the battle is just getting the class noticed by the younger sailors so they consider the OK as an alternative. So far the strategy  seems to be working slowly, we managed to get 34 boats to our Nationals this year which was encouraging”, says Worlds competitor Mark Perrow.

 

Kiwis competing in Denmark are Greg Wilcox (2002 world champion), Steve McDowell (current NZ national champion), Alistair Deaves, Mark Perrow, Trent Pryce, Grant Pedersen, Wayne Avery, Phil Rzepecky, Mike Wilde, and Darren Hunt.

 

New Zealand has a long and proud history in the OK Dinghy class having hosted several World Championships. Clive Roberts really set the Kiwi sailing scene alight with his win in the World OK Championships in 1973 in England – the first ever win by a Kiwi in a dinghy world championship outside the Olympics.

 

KS290605