The third day of the OK Dinghy Europeans saw tight racing throughout. With the wind oscillating between 220-270 degrees and blowing between 14-18 knots, the day proved both a tactical and a physical challenge for the sailors
The first race of the day saw the wind gradually shifting right, but the race committee did well to adjust the course and keep the racing fair. First across the line, after leading the way around the course, was Stefan Hoffman (GER 868), followed by Pim van Vugt (NED 7) in second and Baabii’O Flower (CAN 26) completing the top three.
The second race got underway after one general recall, showing just how eager the fleet was to get back to racing. Hoffman once again performed well, but after the second beat the fight for the win developed into a battle between the top two on the leaderboard, Nick Craig (GBR 2295) and Pim van Vugt.
The tussle continued all the way to the finish, with Pim chasing Nick down for much of the race. They rounded the final gate at exactly the same time on split tacks for the final push to the line. Close to the finish, their battle was disturbed by a kite foiler who ‘dumped’ on both of them, but neither suffered and Pim went on to take the race win. Nick crossed second, followed by Stefan in third to complete his best day of the championship so far.
It is all still to play for on the final day, with Pim van Vugt and Nick Craig tied on 10 points at the top of the leaderboard. The forecast indicates some showers but a more stable breeze tomorrow. Will it be the vastly experienced Nick Craig, local hero Pim van Vugt, or could an outsider still upset the order and take the European title?
Results after Day 3
1 NED 7 Pim van VUGT 10.0
2 GBR 2295 Nick CRAIG 10.0
3 SWE 100 Thomas HANSSON-MILD 19.0
4 CAN 26 Baabii’O FLOWER 21.0
5 GBR 11 Andy DAVIS 25.0
6 NZL 24 Sean CLEARY 30.0
7 GER 19 Ulli KURFELD 31.0
8 GER 886 Stefan HOFFMANN 45.0
9 SWE 72 Benjamin HAMMERÖ 49.0
10 GBR 49 James DOWNER 53.0
Full results here: https://www.manage2sail.com/en-US/event/c4ba93db-f3d5-46bd-b686-cf1c238b6822#!/