OK Worlds, Napier Sailing Club New Zealand Overall

The breeze for the first time was blowing from the south at 180 degrees. Initially it promised to be a heavy air race with a few smiles on some of the larger competitors. As with all the other races very shortly after the start the breeze died. Nick Craig took the initial advantage up the first half of the beat. Unfortunately for Nick though the breeze shifted and the people that looked like dog tucker on the right got lifted up to the mark with Gauch (Paul Rhodes) leading at the top mark with Bart second.

The breeze continued to lighten off down the two reaches with the next beat being sailed in under 10 knots with 40 degree shifts. It was anyone's race.

Bart took advantage of these tricky conditions to work his way to a handy lead by the second windward mark.

Down the run the breeze began to shift left and increased slightly.

There were no major positional changes down the run, but by the time the fleet reached the leeward mark the committee had already shifted the finishing line 40 degrees to the left.

Shortly after rounding the mark the breeze increased substantially and continued to rotate left as the ex-tropical low pressure system made its impact.

Alastair Gair, Roger Blasse and Gauch who made a short clearing tack after the leeward mark picked up on this shift early.

Bart and Nick Craig who continued on towards the right missed this opportunity and were passed. The breeze continued to increase to 25 knots with one leg to the finish line with few opportunities for passing.

Some of the big boys were happy to have some wind finally, although only for one beat.

Overall Results: