Royal Varuna Yacht Club, 6. February – 8. February
The Thai Nationals was the second event sailed within 9 days for the OK’s, following the Varuna Open Masters.
As the organizers was keen to give the event a different flavor, the nationals comprised of 11 short and sharp races with lots of action at the mark roundings, whereas the Masters had fewer and longer courses.
The conditions facing the sailors for the Nationals were absolutely stunning with warm weather (as always), but with strong breeze up to 23 knots and sensational surfing conditions on the downwinds in wind over tide conditions. this also gave short relative short beats and down wind surfing for a longer time. Nick describes the conditions as some of the best in the world, and everybody enjoyed themselves tremendously.
On the last day the wind calmed down a bit, and this was enjoyed by some of the relative lightweights in the class. Female sailor Apple Asawawatanaporn got nice mid fleet finishes, and Neil Semple was a threat in the front where he added another 3rd to the one he got in strong conditions the previous day. In the front of the fleet, Lucas Collins showed how quick he could adapt from his usual Ilca and just seemed to get faster and faster each day. Had he sailed the first day he could have taken the title rather than 4th.
In total there were about 16 OK sailors in the two events, and this was seen as a huge success by the organizers – the Royal Varuna Yacht club and the Thai OK dinghy sailors society. The Thai secretary of OKDIA, Morten Jakobsen could not help but mention that only 3 years prior, there was only one active OK sailor in the club.
Day One
Good winds saw Nick Craig (GBR) in the lead with Morten Jakobsen (THA) and Chris Caldecoat (THA) snapping at his heels.
The eleven strong fleet started the first race of the regatta in robust wind. Apple Asawawatanaporn (THA) said “I think the wind was in the mid-teens coming in consistently from the south west.”
Indeed, the winds were so strong for some competitors that three boats had retired by the time of the third and final race of the first day.
But for those that managed to survive the conditions, there was close racing upwind and some great waves to surf downwind providing some passing lanes. Greg Florkow (THA) said “I rode one wave, then another, then a third and I wondered if it would continue or veer out of control”.
This OK Dinghy Thailand Nationals follows on from last year’s event, which was the first OK Dinghy Thailand Nationals in many decades. It marks a ramp up in interest in the boat in the country. The Royal Varuna Yacht Club hosts the OK Dinghy Worlds in February 2027.
Day Two
Blustery conditions again saw an unchanged top three with Nick Craig (GBR) in the lead and Morten Jakobsen (THA) and Chris Caldecoat (THA) in second and third.
The eleven strong fleet started the second day of the regatta in winds slightly stronger than on day one and with an out-going current to contend with on the start line.
Many sailors commented that the downwind legs were very exciting with plenty of waves to ride and some near capsizes avoided.
The race officer laid a slightly shorter windward leeward course than on the previous day as he had five races in mind. In the end four races were sailed. Several sailors nevertheless thought three races were enough for them and came in after race three.
Day Three
The final results were: Nick Craig (GBR) in 1st place, Morten Jakobsen (THA) 2nd place, Chris Caldecoat(THA) 3rd place, Lucas Collin (FRA) 4th place overall and first female was Apple Asawawatanaporn (THA).
Medium winds from the southwest greeted the fleet on the final day. The relatively early start of 1100 generated a few light hearted grumbles from some of the fleet. The warning signal on day one was a relatively sedate 1400 and on day two 1200.
The race officer laid an even slightly shorter windward leeward course even than on day two resulting in some congestion at the rounding marks and lots of shouting. Four races were completed on day three.
Novice OK Dinghy sailor Lucas Collin (FRA) improved during the regatta due to some tips from some of the leaders and indicated enthusiasm for the OK Dinghy Worlds due to be held at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in February 2027.
At the closing ceremony, Morten Jakobsen extended thanks to European OK sailors who had donated equipment including sails to the Thai charter fleet.
For 2027, the plan will be to hold the same two events for OK’s immediately prior to the OK worlds (worlds dates 19-26 Feb 2027). Exact dates etc will follow, but if sailors get their boats early to Thailand before the worlds, there will be plenty of events to sail. One thing is certain: participants Gautam Dutte, Anthony and Nick Craig will be back in 27. There is also a demand for a training camp in Thailand late 2026, if charterboats can again be available.
| Plc | Sail No | Club | Name | Natt | YOB | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | Total | Nett |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GBR 2261 | BURGHFIELD FRENSHAM LOS | NICK CRAIG |  |
1974 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | (8.0) | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 26.0 | 18.0 |
| 2 | 444 | RVYC | MORTEN JAKOBSEN |  |
1965 | 1.0 | (3.0) | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 23.0 | 20.0 |
| 3 | 218 | RVYC | CHRIS CALDECOAT | |
1970 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | (DNC) | 2.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 50.0 | 37.0 |
| 4 | RVYC | LUCAS COLLIN |  |
2008 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 3.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 57.0 | 44.0 | |
| 5 | THA 226 | RVYC | NEIL SEMPLE | |
1961 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | (DNC) | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 63.0 | 50.0 |
| 6 | AUS 785 | FREMANTLE SAILING CLUB | ANTHONY GALANTE |  |
1968 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | (9.0) | 5.0 | 9.0 | 69.0 | 60.0 |
| 7 | 131 | ROYAL BOMBAY YACHT CLUB | GAUTAMA DUTTA |  |
1965 | 5.0 | 7.0 | (DNC) | 6.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 80.0 | 67.0 |
| 8 | 88 | RVYC | MATT NORTON | |
1968 | (DNF) | DNC | DNC | UFD | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | BFD | 97.0 | 84.0 |
| 9 | SWE 29 | RVYC | GREG FLORKOW | |
1983 | (DNS) | 5.0 | 6.0 | 10.0 | 11.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 11.0 | 11.0 | 10.0 | 8.0 | 102.0 | 89.0 |
| 10 | 1315 | RVYC | APPLE ASAWAWATANAPORN | |
1969 | 8.0 | (RET) | DNC | 9.0 | 12.0 | 11.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 105.0 | 92.0 |
| 11 | 315 | FELIX | 315 | 7.0 | 8.0 | (DNC) | UFD | 9.0 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 12.0 | DNC | 112.0 | 99.0 | ||
| 12 | 77 | RVYC | JEROME COLLIN | |
1973 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 8.0 | 10.0 | RET | DNC | 12.0 | 12.0 | 11.0 | DNC | 131.0 | 118.0 |
DNC, RET, BFD etc: 13 pts