2013 Singha World Championship, Pattaya, Thailand

March 29th – April 5th

External sites:

• Jury notice board, protests and rule 42 penalties
• Royal Varuna Yacht Club
• Photos on the okdia Facebook page

Jump directly to an article:

• Preview, 29 March
• Practice Race, 30 March
• Day one, 31 March
• Day two, 1 April
• Day three, 3 April
• Day four, 4 April
• Day five, 5 April
• Final Results
• Results Practice Race, 30 March
• Gear list of the top ten

Preview

OK Dinghy sailors from around the world are gathering in Pattaya, Thailand for the 2013 Singha OK Dinghy World Championship, which gets under way at the end of this week. Seven containers have arrived at the club over the last few weeks with 72 boats from nine countries entered for the championship. The first race is scheduled for Sunday 31 March.

It has been exactly a decade since the OK Dinghy class held its last world championship outside its traditional haunts of Europe, New Zealand and Australia. In 2003, the class held its first world championship in Asia, in Goa, India, and a return to the region has long been a dream of many in the class.

The OK Dinghy has a special place in Thai sailing history, as His Majesty the King of Thailand, King Bhumibol, won the gold medal in the OK Dinghy at the Fourth Southeast Asian Peninsular Games (SEAP) Games in 1967 in Phuket. This day has been commemorated ever since as National Sports Day in honour of his achievement. His Majesty the King sailed the OK Dinghy for many years, having built his own boat, and even travelled to Frensham Pond in the UK for some ‘incognito’ training in the 1960s.

There have been OK Dinghies in Thailand for more than 40 years, though these days they are mainly sailed by the navy personnel. The two strong Thai entries, Khun Veerasit Puangnak and Khun Manut Photong, bring a wealth of experience. Veerasit represented Thailand in the Laser class at the Sydney Olympics, and both Veerasit and Manut are ex-Thai Laser National Champions.

The fleet this year consists of a lot of newcomers to the class but also some deep experience, including five former world champions. The defending champion is Andre Budzien (GER). More famous for his Finn sailing he took the OK Dinghy world title in 2012 at the first attempt, but reveals he has been planning this trip to Thailand for some time. “The decision to compete in Thailand was born much earlier than last year. I heard about this World Championship two years ago and my family and I were very enthusiastic to make a nice holiday there with some sailing as well. So the decision was made before I knew I would be defending the title. Of course one of my goals is to defend the title, but also I hope to relax and have some fun there with my family and friends.”

Budzien has changed his equipment since his win last year. “I have now bought a wonderful boat from Alex Scoles (GBR) with a wooden deck and a lot of nice features; this was and is my dream boat. I don’t know which one is better and of course I was very satisfied with the Icebreaker I had before. The decision to change is more from a visual point of view, so, however the results go, the working place is very nice for me. I also bought a Finn with this wooden layout this year.”

What does he think the conditions will be like? “About the weather in Thailand, it will always be different from what we expect. For me it is completely out of my mind; when we are there we will see what happens. I hope it is nice summer time and we have not so long waiting on shore or outside. On the race course I like wind from 1 to 30 knots as long as it hits me from the right direction!”

With the conditions largely unknown and a number of new faces in the fleet, it is hard to call a favourite. However four time world champion Nick Craig (GBR) heads the 12 strong British team, and should be in with a good chance at a fifth title.

“I’m hugely looking forward to the these worlds. It’s been a long, cold winter here so the thought of sailing in 30 degrees and force 4 sea breezes has put a smile on my face already. I think it will be a very tough regatta – the strong Kiwi team are rumoured to be back in force and they have always had more depth of talent than any other country in OKs. The Danes were very fast last year after many hours training effectively as a team, and current champ Andre Budzien will be hard to beat, as will at least 10 others.”

“I’m doing the least sailing I’ve done in over 30 years but hoping to still be in the action, and even if I’m not, it’s going to be a whole heap of fun off the water.”

And fun is going to be a crucial ingredient of the regatta. To say that the sailors are very excited to have the chance to race in Thailand is a gross understatement. The fact that there are 72 entries says a great deal about the anticipation felt throughout the fleet.

While there has been talk of trying to arrange a world championship in Thailand for many years it was really the work of OKDIA President Andre Blasse (AUS) that made it happen. “A few years ago on my way to compete in the OK Dinghy World Championships, there was a presentation on the screen of the Thai Airways plane for the King of Thailand’s 80th birthday. It showed the King working on his wooden OK Dinghy, plus quite a few shots of him sailing. I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be great to sail an OK Dinghy World Championship in Thailand.”

“So I asked around at the regatta though I didn’t really do much more about it until the 2010 World Championships in Wellington, New Zealand. The Chairman of the Jury was Rut Subniran from Thailand. I asked him a few questions about where he sailed from and discovered that his club, the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya, had run the Fireball Worlds before, and he had helped organise them. So I asked if they would be interested in running ours; the answer was yes. At an AGM we put it to a vote, and everyone was very keen.”

“The Royal Varuna Yacht Club is the sailing club endorsed by the King of Thailand and the organisers will send a letter to His Majesty the King informing him that OK Dinghy World Championship is being held in Thailand for the first time. I had a meeting with Rut at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, just before Easter in 2012, at the same time we were proposing to run this year’s Worlds. The weather was warm, the facilities and organisation top class. I was very impressed.”

“OKDIA is very happy to have the Royal Varuna Yacht Club running our 2013 Worlds Championships, and I would like to thank the main sponsor “Singha International”. I know it will be a great event.”

The race team will be headed by Kevin Wilson (AUS, IRO), while the International Jury will be chaired by Bill Bell (IJ AUS) and include Neil Semple (IJ GBR) Radm. Prasart Sribhadung (IJ THA), Omar Kwan (NJ MYA) and Rut Subniran (IJ THA).

The first sailors are already preparing their boats at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club. The practice race will be held on Saturday 30 March with a further 10 races scheduled from Sunday 31 March to Friday 5 April. Tuesday 2 April is scheduled as a lay day.

Fabulous conditions continue as OK Dinghy fleet complete practice race

The fabulous weather continued in Pattaya, Thailand as the practice race of the Singha OK Dinghy World Championships was held at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club today. Roger Blasse (AUS) the 1998 World Champion took the race win from Mike Williams (AUS) and Andre Budzien (GER).

After a thorough morning briefing by PRO Kevin Wilson (AUS), the sailors enjoyed a taster of the awesome week that hopefully lies ahead. But departing from tradition, the conditions were so good that most of the fleet completed the race. They came ashore exhausted but very happy they had made the decision to travel to Pattaya.

The principal sponsor Singha is not only providing evening refreshments, but also cold water bottles as the sailors go afloat, with further supplies available on race management boats. Stating hydrated is going to be crucial for success here.

Greg Wilcox (NZL), the 2002 World Champion who finished seventh said,“I think one of the key challenges here is going to be acclimatisation as you can dehydrate really quickly. Those who came out here early will have a clear advantage. It’s taking about three days to just get used to the heat and there is respite on the water. A wave cools you down for about 10 seconds and then you are hot again.”

The practice race started in 15-16 knots with the fleet evenly spread over the course. At the top mark Andre Budzien (GER) led from Paul Rhodes (NZL), and Stefan Myralf (DEN), all from the left. The leading boat from the right was Roger Blasse (AUS) in fifth, though he was not far behind.

Blasse was the first to spot the wing mark on a fairly tight reach and rounded overlapped with Budzien. The overlap continued at the leeward mark but on the second upwind Budzien takd away early while Blasse and Williams took the advantage on the right. Positions stayed the same with Blasse winning by about 10 boatlengths at the finish.

Blasse said, “It’s pretty nice out there for us. The waves are good. It’s a bit like sailing at Black Rock, but with tide.”

Budzien commented, “It was beautiful sailing, perfect conditions, great winds, but I think you have to be fast here.”

Nick Craig (GBR), four time world champion placed eighth today, but was very enthusiastic about the venue. “It couldn’t be better, force 4 and sunny. It’s as good as the best day anywhere, but it’s like that every day here and I am thinking of cancelling of my return flight.”

Racing for real begins tomorrow with the course area a 20 minute sail from the club. Launching is made much easier by the club’s boatmen who look after trolleys and even lift boats out of the surf on arrival back at the beach. Their helpful and enthusiastic attitude is typical of everyone in the club as they try to make sure the sailors every need is catered for, both on and off the water.

Racing gets under way Sunday with two races each day from 13.00,until Friday when it is from 11.00.

“Another day in paradise” for OK Dinghy sailors in Thailand

This could get monotonous. Another day of perfect conditions greeted the 70 sailors at the Singha OK Dinghy World Championships in Pattaya,Thailand. The first two races was staged in a 12-18 knot hot breeze with race wins going to defending champion Andre Budzien (GER) and Roger Blasse (AUS).

The breeze built during the day to end with a leg stretching 18 knots by the finish of the second race. Tonight Royal Varuna Yacht Club is full of very tired by satisfied sailors as they enjoy the spectacular view over the Gulf of Thailand and the free refreshments provided by Singha.

Race one got under way under the new ‘U’ flag with three boats pulled out on the restart. Paul Rhodes (NZL) rounded the top mark first from the left from a group consisting of Andre Budzien, Roger Blasse and Nick Craig (GBR). Rhodes overlaid the second top mark after overestimating the tide and let Budzien through. The laylines were hard to call with big courses and the left paying well. The German dominated the rest of the race with Craig pulling up behind Blasse at the finish. Both thought Craig had done enough, but Blasse took third.

Practice race winner Blasse took the early lead in race two and with a change of tide the course turned into a one way track with the left very clearly favoured. He was closely followed round th4 top mark by Mike Williams (AUS) and Jonathan Fish (GBR) as the wind increased to 15-16 knots and the upwind legs became hard work for some. Blasse pulled away downwind to lead throughout the race with Williams, Craig and Rhodes in close pursuit, though they finished in that order.

Craig said,“It was another day in paradise. We had simply perfect conditions though the beats were very long. Controlling he left was the key to the racing, and by the end it was a bit one track, but as the week goes on that will change as the time of the tides gets later.”

Blasse commented, “It was fantastic sailing but you had to turn left at the bottom mark. The lumpy conditions and the tide makes it hard to assess your boat speed but it looksblike it’s going to be a tough week ahead.”

Two more race are scheduled for Monday at 13.00 before the fleet enjoys a lay day on Tuesday to sample the delights of Pattaya.

Blasse extends lead at OK Dinghy Worlds in perfect Pattaya

It was more of the same on day two at the Singha OK Dinghy World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand with slightly less wind and tide making the racinge3xciting and close. Race wins went to Nick Craig (GBR) and Mike Williams (AUS) though Roger Blasse (AUS) continues to lead overall.

Race three started after a few recalls as the ebb tide pushed the fleet over the line. Soon after the start Nick Craig tacked on a left shift and crossed the fleet to lay the top mark perfectly as more than half the fleet overstood and ended up reaching back. Craig extended away though Andre Budzien (GER) and Roger Blasse closed up at the gate. Budzien briefly took the lead by rounding the opposite gate, but Craig held on until the wind came back in his favour and in the fight to the finish, took the win from Blasse and Budzien.

Race two started on the flood tide with the leaders coming in from the left, Mike Williams timed it perfectly to lead round and extend on each leg for a magnificent win. The chasing pack included Craig, Jonathan Fish (GBR), Paul Rhodes (NZL), Greg Wilcox (NZL), Blasse and Budzien. On the second beat Blasse went hard left and got through to third behind Budzien, though it was all change on he final beat and Blasse moved up to third and Craig hit the left again to end a great day with a third, while Budzien was disqualified as OCS.

Wilcox, who placed fifth and fourth to jumps up to sixth overall said, “It was a great day for me. I got the big decisions right, though it was another tough day on the body. I am wishing I spent the winter in the gym rather than the pub.”

Williams commented, “The winds are bit more than expected, so that suits us Aussies, and it’s good to see four of us in the top 10.The tide is playing a big part but there was a wind shift to the left in the second race that was too big to ignore. I had to tack on it, and that was pretty much it.

“My last worlds race win was in 2006. I didn’t win any last time so it’s always special to win a race at this level.”

“We are staying here at the club. Everything is perfect, the staff, the accommodation and the food. It’s exceptional and we’re having a great time.”

With four tough races completed the fleet can now enjoy a lay day on Tuesday, with various activities and entertainments organised in and around Pattaya tonight and on Tuesday. Those that survive will continue racing on Wednesday, though some will be using the time to recover energy ready for the final six races. The championship concludes on Friday.

Budzien bites back on day three

As racing resumed at the Singha OK Dinghy world championship in Pattaya, Thailand, defending champion Andre Budzien (GER) won the day with a first and second to move up to second overall. Roger Blasse (AUS) remains in second after a second and a third while the winner of the second race today, Mike Williams (AUS) moves up to third.

The forecast showed the lightest winds of week of 10-12 knots though the fleet also had to contend with a strong ebb tide running up the course. However as usual the wind built to around 15 knots with nice surfing aves downwind. After his OCS on Monday Budzien was looking to regain control and he did just that.

Race five finally got away after two general recalls as the strong ebb pushed the fleet over the line. A big shift out of the start favoured those at the pin who tacked and almost laid the top mark in one tack. Budzien gained the most from this to lead round with a good margin on the fleet. He sailed away unhindered to win his second race of the week. The chasing pack included Paul Rhodes, Nick Craig (GBR), Greg Wilcox (NZL), Roger Blasse (AUS), Bo Petersen (DEN) and Jorgen Svenden (DEN).

Rhodes took the early advantage in the chasing pack, but Petersen and Blasse were not far behind. At the final gate Blasse trailed Petersen while Wilcox and Rhodes were not far behind. Blasse made gains on the final upwind to place second, while Wilcox took third as Petersen was black flagged at the start. Another high profile victim of the black flag was race three winner Craig.

The tide was reducing in strength during race six but still played an important factor. Mike Williams, Blasse and Rhodes started near the committee boat while Budzien escaped down the line for a clear start near the pin. A quarter way up the beat Budzien crossed back and looked to have a good lead but Rhodes emerged ahead to lead round from Budzien, Blasse, Craig and Williams.

Williams then sailed past Blasse and Craig on the first reach and then Rhodes on the second to put the pressure on Budzien up the second beat as he closed the distance between them. At the gaste they split tacks and on the final beat, Budzien crossed ahead and carried on to the left, letting Williams away to the right. But the wind shifted in Williams’ favour and when Budzien tacked for the line, Williams got lifted up to cross in first and snatch the victory from the defending champion.

For many here it was moving day, though Blasse has extended his lead to four points with the discard coming into effect. Only two points separate second to fourth, to Thursday’s racing will be crucial, with many in the top 10 already posting their discard with several OCS or BFDs on the board.

The forecast for Thursday is for the strongest winds yet with a solid 18 knots expected to be boosted by local thermals. There are four more races to go to decide the 2013 Singha OK Dinghy World Champion.

Roger Blasse closes in on second world OK Dinghy title

Roger Blasse (AUS) has taken a commanding lead on day four at the Singha OK Dinghy World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand. Race wins went to Andre Budzien (GER) and Mike Williams (AUS), while Blasse extended his lead to nine points from Nick Craig (GBR) and 11 points from Williams.

It was also a day of drama. The day afloat began with some spectacular launching through heavy surf that had built as a result of the strengthening wind, and without the help of the club’s boatmen this would have been an impossible task. The day ended with drama as defending champion Budzien picked up his second yellow flag to effectively end his championship chances. Blasse is now in pole position to take his second world title, 15 years after he first won it in 1998.

The wind was around the strongest of the week, up to 18-20 knots, with bigger waves making the downwind lots of fun, though the wind eased during the second race to 12-14 knots.

Andre Budzien continued his good form from Wednesday into race seven taking the lead on the first upwind and maintaining it throughout. Bo Pettersen (DEN) spent most of the race in second as did Jorgen Svendsen (DEN) in third. Championship leader Roger Blasse crossed in fifth behind Nick Craig (GBR), while Blasse’s main competition Mike Williams (AUS) was struggling way back in 50th after his rudder fell off.

Bad luck followed Jonathan Fish (GBR) yet again. After having an OCS in race one and winning a protest for redress against a BFD in race four, and having to come ashore on Wednesday to replace a broken mast before the first race, he thought he had had his fair share of problems. But they continued today as the mast he borrowed from Craig snapped at the deck as he rounded the leeward mark in the first race of the day. He got ashore to replace with his first repaired mast but now has lost all hope of a coveted top ten finish.

Williams returned to the front in race eight leading Budzien into the top mark and sailed away to win his third race of the week. Blasse rounded further back but fought through to the front and it was here while he was fighting hard downwind with Budzien that the German got his second yellow flag from the jury and had to retire from the race. Blasse couldn’t catch Williams but crossed second while Svendsen picked up his second third place of the day to move up to eighth overall.

The racing today was sponsored by the Pattaya Mail and was incorporated in to the Peter Cummins Classic, an annual sailing event at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club. The Pattaya Mail generously provided food, refreshments and entertainments as part of the day.

The final two races will be sailed Friday at the earlier time of 11.00. So far this week the winds at 11.00 have been considerable lighter so the championship is by no means over.

Roger Blasse secures second OK Dinghy world title

Roger Blasse (AUS) has won the 2013 Singha OK Dinghy World Championship in Pattaya, Thailand after placing second in the only race sailed on the final day. Nick Craig (GBR) took the silver while Mike Williams (AUS) took the bronze. The final race was won by defending champion Andre Budzien (GER).

It was always going to be the lightest day of the regatta and as the fleet launched at 11.00 the wind was 2-3 knots and very patchy. The race officer Kevin Wilson (AUS) was clear he would not start racing in unsuitable conditions so the fleet waited afloat in 30 degrees of heat for over two hours. Finally the breeze stabilised and the fleet got away on the second attempt in 7-8 knots which built to 14 knots during the race.

By this time it was looking like only one race was possible within the time limit, so Blasse didn’t actually need sail, but he got a great start and dominated the first beat to lead round from Budzien. The two battled round the course only for Budzien to take the lead in the closing stages for his fourth race win of the week. Blasse crossed in second with Jorgen Svendsen (DEN) in third again.

The more interesting battle was between Craig and Williams for the runner up slot. Initially Williams had the advantage with a five boat gap on Craig, but Craig whittled away the gap and closed up on the downwind to move ahead and cross in eighth, just ahead of Williams in ninth.

So Roger Blasse wins his second world title after first winning in 1998. Next year the worlds returns to his home club of Black Rock in Melbourne, Australia where he will be a firm favourite. He said, “Of course I am really happy to win, but this week has really showed how competitive the OK fleet has become. I also think It was a smart move to delay the start today. But ‘Slippery Stool’ was an appropriate name for my boat today as I had to stop for a ‘comfort break’ immediately after the race as I was feeling rather ill all day.”

Four time champion Nick Craig is again on the podium, but still pleased with the silver coming out of the European winter with very little on the water training. He said, “This has been the best event I have ever done, both in terms of the sailing and on the shore, and I have done a lot of events over the last 30 years.”

Mike Williams is on the podium for the second time after being the runner up in 2010. “Well done to Roger, he was superbly consistent, and congratulations also to Nick, he’s a real competitor. Bad luck to Andre Budzien, but I hope to see everyone again at Black Rock next year.”

At the prizegiving tonight Roger Blasse paid tribute to the club, it’s staff, the event fantastic sponsor Singha and summed up everyone’s thoughts by saying, “This club is a hidden gem; it’s been an absolutely fantastic week.” There was also a genuine feeling that the sailors wanted to return to Pattaya in the not to distant future for another championship.