Please select your home edition
Edition
Melges 15

OK Dinghy Thailand Open Nationals 2026 at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club - Day 1

by Neil Semple 6 Feb 13:06 GMT 6-8 February 2026

Good winds see Nick Craig (GBR) in the lead with Morten Jakobsen (THA) and Chris Caldecoat (THA) snapping at his heels.

The eleven strong fleet started the first race of the regatta in robust wind. Apple Asawawatanaporn (THA) said "I think the wind was in the mid-teens coming in consistently from the south west."

Indeed, the winds were so strong for some competitors that three boats had retired by the time of the third and final race of the first day.

But for those that managed to survive the conditions, there was close racing upwind and some great waves to surf downwind providing some passing lanes. Greg Florkow (THA) said "I rode one wave, then another, then a third and I wondered if it would continue or veer out of control".

This OK Dinghy Thailand Nationals follows on from last year's event, which was the first OK Dinghy Thailand Nationals in many decades. It marks a ramp up in interest in the boat in the country. The Royal Varuna Yacht Club hosts the OK Dinghy Worlds in February 2027.

Related Articles

Plenty to celebrate with Ovington Boats
At the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2026 Tomorrow sees the start of the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2026! We are excited to be there with lots of exciting offers, updates and products on our stand, so do stop by and chat with the team. Posted on 20 Feb
Learn more about the world of epoxy
At the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show When you admire all of the boats at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, taking place on the 21st and 22nd February 2026, you may not realise just how many have been constructed, restored or repaired using PRO-SET® or WEST SYSTEM® epoxies. Posted on 20 Feb
Ullswater Magic Marine Daffodil Regatta Preview
Two full days of racing promise tight competition With February's chill still in the air, sailors are already looking ahead to the promise of warmer days and fresh breezes on Ullswater. Posted on 13 Feb
Reviving the OK class in Thailand
February at Pattaya. No wetsuits required. The eleven-strong fleet started the first race of the regatta in robust wind. Apple Asawawatanaporn (THA) said “I think the wind was in the mid-teens coming in consistently from the south west.” Posted on 11 Feb
Royal Varuna Yacht Club Masters Champs Overall
The inaugural event proves popular, with many vowing to return next year The final day of the inaugural Royal Varuna Yacht Club Masters Championship saw a variety of different wind strengths and directions as competing breezes battled it out. Posted on 2 Feb
Royal Varuna Yacht Club Masters Championship Day 2
Racing in paradise continues with more breeze for the fleet There is no doubt that it's far, far easier to get over the second day feeling when it's blazing sunshine, 31 degrees celsius, and the breeze decides to fill in a very civilised manner at midday. Posted on 1 Feb
Royal Varuna Yacht Club Masters Championship Day 1
An international fleet of ILCA 6s, 7s, and OKs battle it out in a shifting breeze It's tricky to say no when you're asked to sail at an event at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Thailand, so when John Higham of Element 6 Evolution invited me to the Masters Regatta, I naturally jumped at the chance. Posted on 30 Jan
505, OK & 470 Australian Nationals Overall
Mal Higgins and Jesse Mitton take out Australian 5o5 title in style Two races where scheduled on the final day with typical boisterous conditions similar to the day before with average Southerly's blowing between 17 - 20 knots with a steep sea state. Posted on 24 Jan
505, OK & 470 Australian Nationals Days 3 & 4
The fleet woke to a scorching day with land temperatures reaching 40c After four races over the first two days, the OK Dinghy fleet took a rostered day off to go to take the customary photo selfies with the quokkas on Rottnest Island. Posted on 22 Jan
505, OK & 470 Australian Nationals Days 1 & 2
A couple of SailGP sailors could not resist the temptation to wriggle into their trapeze harnesses Fremantle SC has organised a joint Australian National Championship for three classes including the 5o5, OK Dinghy and 470 at a renowned first class sailing venue on the Indian Ocean coast of West Australia. Posted on 21 Jan