Allen OK Class UK Inland Championship at Rutland Sailing Club

OK Inlands at Rutland (l-r) Matt Howard 2nd, Andy Davis 1st, Simon Davis 3rd, mid-fleet prize winner Bernard Clark © Gavin Poullion

Over the weekend of 7th-8th September the OK Class returned to Rutland SC for their Allen sponsored Inland Championship, part of the Allen OK Grand Tour. Joining the OK class at Rutland were the Finn and Europe classes.

The forecast was for a light wind weekend. Arriving on Saturday the conditions did not look promising and through the rain & drizzle there appeared to be little wind. It didn't improve and just after 3pm the race officer called it a day.

Sunday looked brighter with signs of wind across the reservoir. After a good breakfast we were all sent out and a trapezium course set.

After a general recall the OK's got away in the light wind with Andy Davis and Simon Davis clear of the fleet at the first mark. It stayed that way throughout the race. Behind there was much place changing in the shifty conditions with Matt Howard pulling through into 3rd and Neil Goodhead taking 4th.

In the second race it was Matt Howard who reached the windward mark first with Andy Davis close behind followed by a group of OK's led by Bernard Clark. Andy Davis kept the pressure on Howard eventually taking 1st in the dying wind. While the two leading boats fought it out, behind them there was close racing between several boats all of which had their chances. By the bottom of a tense final run, in the failing wind, Gavin Poullion managed to round the mark ahead but by the end of the reach Simon Davis had gained a crucial overlap. On the last beat the wind veered right then left and then shut down completely. At the end it was Simon Davis 3rd, Neil Goodhead 4th and Bernard Clark 5th. Poor Gavin dropped to 9th.

With little prospect of a further race, AP over A went up and we returned to shore.

Overall, Andy Davis won with two firsts, with Matt Howard 2nd and Simon Davis 3rd.

Unfortunately, the weather meant that we were unable to take full advantage of a great venue but the weekend was enjoyed by all. Many thanks to Rutland SC and our sponsors Allen. We look forward to returning in 2025, potentially earlier in the year.

Overall Results: