International OK Open at Overy Staithe Sailing Club

An even earlier start to the weekend proceedings than normal and a change of date from the normal June may have contributed to a slightly reduced entry list but it was a welcome sight to see nine competitors line up for the event.

Day one was held at sea with a few misjudging the time needed to exit the harbour. This meant that a twenty-minute postponement had to be implemented by the race committee. The race got underway at 08.05 in a southerly force 1 breeze meaning that the route choices around the course were limited as the tide was running West to East at around 3 knots. Most went for a committee boat end start, the exception being Rodney Tidd who chose clear air and only just failed to port tack the fleet. Pete Turner led for the majority of the race but a veering wind caught him out on the third beat and Simon Cowood judged matters well and was able to overtake Pete and hold on round the two reaches to record the win. Robert Deaves recorded a third.

The second race was held with all marks in similar or the same positions. The wind shifted and with the tide still flowing with force it was almost possible to lay the windward mark on one tack and only a short hitch was needed in many cases. Once again Pete Turner headed matters and with no mistakes this time he got the gun with Robert second and Simon third.

With the delay at the start and the light wind prevailing it was necessary for the sailors to abandon ships and walk the boats along the beach until they reached the relatively slow moving current inside the harbour. The rescue boat was kept busy with many requests for tows. One competitor even feigned a capsize to ensure he was noticed and towed home. He had read the forecast and was saving his energy for the 'morrow. This experience reminded Tim O'Leary as to why he had not been to Overy Staithe for over thirty years but weunderstand that he enjoyed the 'Admiral Nelson mystery tour' hosted by Rodney Thorne and will return in future years.

A few beers and burgers were consumed during the evening and with another early start necessary the following day many took the opportunity for an early night. Unfortunatly Simon Cowood, Paul Aldridge, Simon Shaw and young newcomer Tom Squire were unable to stay due to other commitments leaving a very depleted fleet of five to battle it out.

Sunday dawned with a brisk force 3 to 4 with a little more West in direction. The race committee set the start line in the harbour mouth and with the tide directly under the line meant that caution was necessary if an OCS was to be avoided. Rodney Tidd took advantage of this and was a few boat lengths nearer the line than the others at the gun. However he chose the wrong side of the beat inside the harbour and surrendered his lead to the Turner brothers and Robert. Some fabulous broad reaches in a building wind gave everyone a good level of excitement as the course toured almost the whole harbour. Pete Turner headed the fleet once again followed by Robert and Will. Tim had a short swim at the gybe mark but he surfaced with a smile on his face.

Race Four was once again started in the harbour mouth and with the tide having turned it was a very different first beat with close tacking up the shores being the order of the day. Robert made the best route choice and pulled away from the others for an easy victory. The wind had continued to build and white hoses were breaking over almost the complete course. The race committee decided to move the turning mark further south to a point just inside the main harbour and this proved to be a good decision as the tide and wind were combining to make the outgoing water a very strong adversary. Will Turner came detatched from his boat at one point and suffered a broken centreboard during his efforts to right matters. Pete came second with Rodney and Tim following on quite a distance behind.

This open meeting returns to its' normal June timeslot next year and we look forward to welcoming both returning sailors and newcomers alike.

Overall Results:

1st Pete Turner 4pts
2nd Robert Deaves 5pts
3rd Rodney Tidd 11pts