OK Inland Championship at Blithfield Sailing Club

Racing during the 2017 OK Dinghy Inlands at Blithfield © Richard Burton

Bradburn prevails in light and shift breeze

22 OKs and one almost OK made their way to Blithfield Sailing Club for the Inland Championship over the weekend of the 8th and 9th of October. The weather was sunny and a little nippy and the wind was undecided on which direction and strength it was. This made for some up and down racing with lots of snakes and ladders.

Race 1 got underway at the first time of asking with Richard Burton rounding the first mark with Will Croxford hot on his heels. Burton pulled away down the run and extended for the win. Ian Hopwood, sailing his first ever OK event in Dave Bourne's Purple Haze, sailed into second but was slowly over hauled by a well seasoned OK sailors Andy Rushworth and Tony Woods at the finish.

Race 2 was a bit of potluck with a side of random. Ed Bradburn was in the right place at the right time to have a huge lead at the first mark with and a melee of boats rounding together.

Hopwood came out smelling of roses with Woods remaining consistent. Burton managed to pass woods for 3rd on the last leg.

After a wonderful luncheon of cottage pie the fleet launched into a fresh breeze. Race 3 was lead all the way by Woods with Bradburn sailing well in second until OK legend Alan Atkin out gunned the whippersnapper into 2nd with Bradburn fighting off challenges from Burton and Rushworth at the death to finish 3rd.

Race 4 quickly ensued as the wind lightened Rodney Tidd had his turn at the front and lead for the first lap until the advances of Woods and Burton was too much. Woods sailed through to take the bullet and Burton was eventually overhauled for 2nd place on the last beat by 60kg Alan Robinson.

After a very long days racing there were some very thirsty and hungry sailors, luckily the town of Abbots Bromley is but a stones throw away and most important of all has some good pubs and a very good curry house which was useful.

With 2 races left Woods was leading with Burton and Bradburn not far behind on points so it was all to play for. After a general recall the black flag was raised and not being so punchy this time the fleet got away cleanly Burton rounded first with Wood right behind him and Bradburn hovering in the background. Burton wasn't able to hold onto the lead and Bradburn found himself a huge left hand shift to catch and over take Burton and Woods. Woods surpassed Burton to take 2nd.

With Burton now unable to take the title Woods looked like he had it all stitched up with only Bradburn able to beat him if Bradburn won and Woods didn't finish in the top 3. Bradburn and Woods where having quite the dual out in front with Woods getting the better of Bradburn at the start if the second lap. However Woods made the mistake of rounding a mark the wrong way and loosing out the Burton and Hopwood and Bradburn in the lead. The final Run saw Bradburn being reeled in by Burton and Hopwood and Woods being held up by Tidd and Nick Miller also sailing his first OK event in a Bourne borrowed boat. Bradburn managed to fight off Burton for water at the mark and the 50-yard beat to take the final race. Burton tacked round the mark and let Hopwood through to 2nd and just snatched 3rd from Woods.

After the maths had been done it was Bradburn who took the title by far his best performance this year in his new Idol 1 shape from Idol Composites. Woods had to settle for 2nd but was pleased to be at the pointy end of the fleet in his newly acquired Synergy Marine. Burton begrudgingly completed the podium and took the report writing duties.

A big thanks to Blithfield for hosting a great event with everyone keen to return in the future.

Overall Results: