OK End Of Season Championship at Northampton Sailing Club

The forecast was cold and windy, which bought out the hardy OK fleet and some unsuspecting newbies out to play at the very pleasant Northampton Sailing Club.

With some playful shore side banter taking place the fleet took to the water to settle the scores. Nick Craig lead Charlie Cumbley on their own private course while Dave Bourne and Ed Bradburn sailed through to battle it out for the lead. By the time Nick had recovered from his detour Richard Burton had managed to get past Bourne but succumbed to the inland ability of Craig on the final leg.

Race 2 saw Will Croxford hitting the front with Burton in tow. Burton sailed into the lead but was then cast back into 5th after some eventful downwind sailing leaving Craig and Cumbley in the lead. Cumbley seemed to have the race in the bag but an unsuspecting Cumbley rolled into a surprise tack due to one of the National 12's Craig took the Race as Bradburn, Burton and Bourne chuckled their way past a recovering Cumbley.

Race 3 was the lightest of the day and Craig romped off into the lead while Bourne kept him honest Cumbley crept up to 3rd and Croxford had his best race for 4th at the line.

After a tough day on the race course many sailors looked like they needed a comforting beverage as the sun went down. With a stupendous bonfire and some wonderful fireworks and maybe a sparkler or 2 much fun was had and everyone went to bed very happy if not slightly chilly.

As the cold light of day hit it became apparent that there was more then just the weekends racing at stake. Dave Bourne and Richard Burton were level pegging in the travellers trophy with winner takes all racing and Bourne had a 2 point advantage in the event was looking set to take the title.

Race 4 started in a cold Northerly with Cumbley managing to take his first win after a 5 way battle for the lead. Craig held off a quickly recovering Burton surpassing Bradburn and Bourne.

With the event already won the battle was on for the rest of the podium places and the travellers trophy. Craig escaped the ensuing battle leaving the rest to squabble over position. Cumbley looked to have made a big enough gap for second until Burton lucked out on the run to catch up and rolled Cumbley on the following downwind leg. However this allowed Bradburn and Bourne to close up. Cumbley caught a huge left hand shift to overhaul Burton for 2nd.

Craig took the event convincingly and Burton the Travellers trophy and Grand Tour for a second year in a row.

With a big year lined up for 2017 all eyes are on Barbados in late May for the World Championships. Entries for the event don't close until February and there is plenty of time to get a boat and enter.

Lastly a huge thanks to Northampton Sailing Club for one of many fantastic events the OK's have held there.

Overall Results: