OK Winter Championships at Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club

The OK fleet convened at Bristol Corinthian Sailing Club for the 2015 Winter Championships. Much of the pre-race banter centred on the many entrants that had turned up with upgraded kit or boats from the previous season.

The biggest surprise investment was made by Keith Byers from Morecombe Sailing Club whose last investment had been a roll of PVC tape in 1997. He was now the proud owner of a lightly used ex Andre Budzion OK with many World Championship race wins credited to it. His old boat being transferred to the much travelled Finn Gheury from New Zealand.

The racing was held in light to moderate breezes with windshifts of 35 degrees commonplace. The pressure differences were just as severe meaning that it was never over until it was over.

With regards to results, mention should be made of Mark Bellows performance in Race 2. He nailed every shift available to take a surprise but deserved race win proving yet again that the most important piece of kit was the nut at the end of the tiller.

Overall third place was taken by Terry Curtis. Terry is building a reputation now as a light weather fairy much to his own surprise and disapproval.

Second place was Simon Cowood. Entering his third season now in OKs, Simon is developing some real boatspeed and technique that has marked him out as one to watch.

The event was taken by Jim Hunt who never had it his own way all day but showed the consistency and pedigree that was expected of a former World Champion.

With an early Inland Championships to come, the re-introduction of Nick Craig and Charlie Cumbley to the fleet, a large fleet at the Spring Cup at Medemblik, and a World Championships in Poland the OK fleet has much to look forward to.

Overall Results: