11th & 12th June
Report and results courtesy Greg Casey.
The International OK Dinghy Northern class held it’s Northern Area Championships at Hartlepool & Tee’s YC over the weekend 11th & 12th June.
Racing got underway on Saturday in sunshine and a force 4 blowing off the land, there were large windshifts all over the course area, making life difficult both up & down wind. Nick Craig (Frensham Pond) showed good speed with his Australian Sail taking 2 firsts & a second place, although Hedley Fletcher (Blithfield) found some of his old form with a scoreline of 2,1,2. The rest of the places were spread around the fleet with Greg Casey (Bexhill), Wil Turner (Ardleigh) and Gavin Waldron (Upper Thames) all picking up third places. Several competitors demonstrated good swimming technique, particularly on the Runs.
Sunday was much cooler, but stayed dry throughout the day, the wind had increased now gusting 30 Knots, but still shifting violently. Craig showed why he is twice National Champion, by winning all 3 races, Fletcher took two seconds & Terry Curtis (Upper Thames) took two thirds & a second finding more boatspeed when he was the right way up.
The Race officer did a great job in really difficult conditions, and the rest of the club showed a warm welcome to all the visitors.
- Nick Craig, Frensham Pond
- Hedley Fletcher, Blithfied
- Terry Curtis, Upper Thames
- Gavin Waldron, Upper Thames
- Greg Casey, Bexhill
1st Lady Justine Davenport Burwain