OK Open at Overy Staithe Sailing Club

Perfect conditions out to sea for day 1 of the 52nd annual OK open meeting with a force 2-3 south easterly and big rolling waves for the downwind legs.

Race 1 saw Alex Scoles first at the windward mark with Pete Turner in his shiny new Idol Composites boat snapping at his heels. These two were never more than a few metres apart. However Alex touched the windward mark and his 3600 turn left Pete in the lead. On the final reach to the finish Alex was luffing Pete hard before dashing for the leeward mark instead of the finishing line. Spike Turner was going well. Duncan Ellis and Rodney Tidd looked like they had brought back tired muscles from the Worlds the week before in Lyme Regis.

Race 2 had a strong tide taking boats across the start line. The race team were about to signal for a general recall when we noticed that Spike was making a terrible start but which left him on the right side of the start line. All the other boats were called back which three boats managed but Alex didn't. Duncan Ellis took the winning gun with Spike second and Pete third.

Day 2 - a difficult day for sailors and race officers. We started race 3 out to sea and within ten minutes the wind died and progress against the tide went from difficult to impossible. The race team sent all the boats inside into the harbour, luckily while the tide was still flooding. Race 3 re-started with a beat from Worple to buoy A led by Duncan Ellis all the way round the first lap, which would have won him the meeting. Eventually Alex ground him down and went on to win the race with Pete Turner third and Spike Turner fourth. Rodney had gone home.

For Race 4 the wind had dropped so much that it was abandoned before it had even started and everyone was towed home.

Many thanks to race team Andy & Will Turner and Jerry Clark and to Paul Goakes in the safety boat. Congratulations to Alex Scoles, tied with Duncan Ellis on points but who wins on counting the last race.

Overall Results: