Charlie Cumbley wins Europeans after no racing on final day

Britain’s Charlie Cumbley has won the 2025 OK Dinghy European Championship, in Warnemünde, Germany, after all racing was cancelled on the last day with strong winds and passing storms. Canada’s Ben Flower takes the silver while Sweden’s Daniel Björndahl takes bronze.

The weather forecasts all week had not been entirely reliable and everything pointed towards a showdown between Cumbley and Flower. However, a glance at the sea state in the morning told a different story and while some forecasts predicted the wind dropping, many also predicted an increase with considerable rainfall and passing storms. After an early three-hour postponement was made, the decision to cancel was made mid-morning with many sailors already packing up. By early afternoon it was gusting 30 knots on shore with a huge sea state, as everyone took shelter in the Lokschuppen for the prizegiving. The wind did not drop below 25 knots until late afternoon.

Cumbley was both pleased and surprised to win his second European title in the class, after first wining two years ago on Garda.

“Super pleased. I came into this event having not sailed since the last Europeans, so I thought I’d come here add put a line in the sand ahead of the worlds [On Garda in September] where I’m keen to do well. I thought if I could get top six, I would be pleased with the week so to win, I am a bit surprised but super happy.”

On his speed and performance, “Most of the week was light to medium and I was really happy with my speed in that but just need to sort my starting really; the whole combination and remembering to sheet and steer and look where you are going at the same time. So, I will try and improve on that for Garda. But great racing as usual and great to sail in Warnemünde with some awesome waves.”

On the upcoming world championship – already almost 160 entries. “It’s going to be massive, should be an awesome event, the best worlds ever hopefully. The quality is going to be high, there are lots of people coming into the class, Finn and Laser sailors, and the class level just keeps growing and growing. It’s going to be super hard but also great fun to have a crack at it. I think it will be the toughest fleet the OKs have ever had. With a mix of experienced sailors who have been in the fleet for years and new guys who are good from outside the class and they’ll bring new ideas, new levels of fitness and strength, so I’m just going to have to keep chipping away and get a bit quicker. So, I am actually going to do some practice, and you can quote me on that.”

Warnemünde delivered a range of conditions over the shortened series, with first class race management and on shore social events organised by the German class. With the world championship just eight weeks away, this was a good indication of form, however many more will join the fleet for what is likely to be the toughest and largest world championship the class has ever had.

Full galleries here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/okdia/albums/

Highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBHVNxQl_1RUgxKllWCmofBf6-YcsBlM_

Final results after 6 races

Veteran: Charlie Cumbley (1st)
Master: Andre Budzien (4th)
Grand Master: Jørgen Holm (39th)
Woman’s Trophy: Juliane Hofmann (84th)

Results here: https://manage2sail.com/de-DE/event/WarnemuenderWoche2025#!/results?classId=bfe367c8-b570-4e85-9bf9-fbe5ccb2f591