OK Dinghy Open at Overy Staithe Sailing Club
by Jennie Clark 29 Jun 2025 21:27 BST
28-29 June 2025
OK Dinghy Open at Overy Staithe Sailing Club © Jennie Clark
Two days of contrasting weather challenged the eight OK sailors competing for the Overy Staithe SC annual open meeting, which was first held in 1971.
Of the eight competitors entered only five made it to the start line in the force 5 south westerly wind, with Alex Scoles unfortunately breaking his carbon mast. Race Officer, Andy Turner, wisely set an 'inside' course rather than sending the fleet out to sea. Nevertheless the conditions were pretty wild with some fantastic spray laden downwind legs.
Peter Turner made the best start and gradually extended his lead, followed by Simon Turner and Ben Johnson sailing one of the two class association demo boats. The class has invested in the 2 boats to encourage more people to join the fleet and if the smile on Ben's face was anything to go by it's worked its magic! Two more helms decided enough was enough and sailed home.
In race 2 Pete Turner capsized and stuck his masthead in the sand. Simon Turner went on to win easily with Ben Johnson in second.
Sunday dawned in complete contrast with beautiful sunshine and a gentle for 2 westerly. Once again Pete Turner made a good start to lead at the first mark, chased by Simon Davis and Simon Turner who finished within a second of each other.
The wind died slightly for the last race of the day, which was won by Bernard Clark, followed in second by Simon Davis with Rodney Tidd in third.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Peter Turner | 1 | Dnf 4 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| 2nd | Simon Turner | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| 3rd | Simon Davis | Dnf 6 | Dns 9 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| 4th | Ben Johnson | 3 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 12 |
| 5th | Bernard Clark | Dns 9 | Dns 9 | 4 | 1 | 14 |
| 6th | Rodney Tidd | Dns 9 | Dns 9 | 5 | 3 | 17 |
| 7th | Dave Cooper | Dnf 6 | Dns 9 | 6 | 6 | 18 |
| 8th | Alex Scoles | Dns 9 | Dns 9 | Dns 9 | Dns 9 | 27 |