OK Dinghy European Championship - Sailors wait at Carnac

by Robert Deaves on 22 Jul 2013 The OK Dinghy European Championship is being held in Carnacn, France. A practice race got under way on Sunday that was soon abandoned as the already light wind deserted the fleet.

With 70 entries the fleet are enjoying French hospitality with temperatures in the low 30s.

Four time world champion Nick Craig (GBR) commented. 'It's hot but where's the wind? But it's a lovely place. I've been here a few times but in other classes.' How prepared is he for the week ahead? 'I've been sailing quite a bit recently, including in the D1, but not much in the OK since the worlds at Easter.' He picked up fourth place in the French nationals last weekend, so on his chances he said, 'I'm a bit out of the groove at the moment, but hoping for a good regatta.'

Since coming sixth at worlds Greg Wilcox (NZL) has been in tremendous form with a third at Kiel, second in the Nordics and at Swedish nationals and wins at Warnemünde Week and at the French nationals. He appears quietly confident but readily concedes it won't be easy in such a quality field including multiple world champions, 'I expect it will be a very difficult regatta.'

The only Australian sailing, Mark Roberts (AUS) commented. 'The weather is currently 33 degrees and no breeze at all. Each day the morning breeze seems to die out around 1pm as it battles against the sea breeze and doesn't return till 5pm. Looks like we'll have same all week and with daily scheduled starts at 1pm it could be a week for the light air specialists.'

The practice race was started in just 2-3 knots of wind and was abandoned when the time limit to first mark expired, as the died out.

The first championship races are scheduled for 13.00 on Monday.