1999 Worlds Qualifier at Weymouth, Great Britain

3rdWorlds Qualifier

The OKs had their 3rd World Qualifier on 16-17th April at Weymouth Sailing Centre. The qualifier was held in light and shifty offshore winds which made for close racing with constant place changes.

For the 1st race, there was a force 2 dying right off in the later stages. Nick Craig led from start to finish but was pushed hard by Greg Casey, showing good speed in his new Rushworth hull, and Peter Wibroe, visiting from Denmark. Hedley Fletcher found new wind on the last run and used it skillfully to snatch 2nd just before the finish.

The wind increased to force 3 for the 2nd race but remained incredibly shifty. A 40 degree shift 1 minute after the start meant everyone at the favoured pin end were buried. Gavin Waldron led from Craig and Alan Price at the 1st mark. After a lot of place changes in the shifty wind, Craig won from Andy Turner. Hedley Curtis and Fletcher pulled through the fleet all race whilst having a private duel which Curtis just won. Price sailed an excellent race to hold onto 7th place.

Race 3 was the closest held in a shifty force 2. 7 different people led the race. Wibroe thought he had it in the bag, went to the finish only to find there was another lap, allowing Waldron to take the lead. The last beat saw another 4 different leaders! Craig eventually won from Casey, Turner and Waldron.

Race 4 was held in similar conditions. Craig led all the way but was pushed by Curtis initially until he got on the wrong side of a big shift allowing Fletcher to come through to 2nd followed by Curtis and Casey. Junior sailor Will Turner held his own amongst the experienced front runners to finish in an excellent 5th place.

4th Worlds Qualifier

The OKs had their 4th and final World Qualifier on 15-16th May at Weymouth Sailing Club, where we received a very friendly welcome and excellent race management. Saturday morning promised excellent sailing with a force 4 with large waves. However, again it was not to be with the wind dying to virtually nothing as soon as the fleet started the 1st race! These conditions remained for the whole weekend.

Peter Wibroe from Denmark was the early leader of the 1st race closely pursued by Nick Craig. The wind kept spinning, with the run turning into a beat! Nick Craig found new wind to win from Wibroe, Mike Edwards, Greg Casey and Justine Edwards, going very fast in the light airs.

The wind was steadier for the 2nd race but remained light. The wind filled in from the left up the 1st beat which gave Gavin Waldron an early lead from Graham Pearce. With the wind dying to almost nothing, the course was shortened up the 2nd beat. Craig and Wibroe pulled through to the front and had a very close tacking duel. Whilst this was going on Casey, Pearce and Waldron found new wind out right to threaten for the lead. Craig did just enough to hold on from Casey, Pearce, Wibroe and Waldron.

Sundays racing was delayed as the wind kept swinging, allowing a few sore heads to recover. Eventually it settled to a shifty force 1 with glorious sunshine making the conditions bearable. Again Waldron found new wind on the left side of the 1st beat to set up a large early lead. Craig was in pursuit and caught Waldron near the end of the last beat. Casey almost slipped through as Craig and Waldron battled for the lead, but came in 3rd. Mike Edwards beat Wibroe by inches on the finish line to claim 4th.

The wind remained fickle for the last race. This time the wind filled in from the right up the 1st beat giving Wibroe a large lead from Simon Shaw and Craig. Craig chased Wibroe who held out to win by a comfortable margin. Justine Edwards showed excellent speed and tactics to pull through to 3rd, followed by Shaw, Hedley Curtis and Waldron.

Final standings of the qualification series for the 1999 World Championship.