Ovington Boats International OK Dinghy UK Nationals at Brixham Yacht Club - Day 1
by Karen Robertson 17 Aug 09:05 BST
16-19 August 2018
Over thirty boats have assembled in Brixham for the Ovington Boats International OK Dinghy UK Nationals — unfortunately it was in the rain with no wind. Later however Torbay decided to treat the fleet to sunshine and a shifty and at times boisterous wind.
The fleet, which includes visitors from Belgium and Poland, gave notice to the Race Officer that they were keen to get away with two general recalls for the first race before the race started with only one boat getting called for OCS (for which he earned the yellow 'dick of the day' jacket). The left hand side paid off with Charlie Cumbley showing the fleet just how to do it and gaining a lead he was never seriously troubled with. Further down the fleet the racing was tight throughout with several packs fighting it out on the three lap race. At the finish Charlie was first, Tony Woods second and talented junior Will Heritage sailing a boat he has only just finished building was third.
With the fleet finishing the first race and waiting for the second, the wind started to build to a solid F4/5 but still with big shifts. Again the fleet proved how keen they were and went for their third general recall but got away cleanly on the second attempt. Once again Charlie showed why he was in the top five at the recent worlds and showed the fleet a clean pair of heels, but chased closer this time by Dave Bourne, Ian Hopwood and the pack. During the second lap the breeze increased to 'firm and fruity' as the missing Burt would say and gave a few swims on the fast reaches and run.
Overall Charlie is clear ahead with two wins but junior Will Heritage is doing great in his first OK nationals lying in a highly impressive second.
So it was a tired but happy fleet that returned to Brixham for fish and chips courtesy of the Brixham YC and a few drinks to rehydrate with half the fleet hoping for more of the same and the other half hoping that Torbay is a little more gentle on them tomorrow for races 3 & 4. The draw for a rudder bag courtesy of Rain & Sun was won by Karen Robertson and Paul Deane won a Harken T shirt for being the last competitor to finish both races.