OK Vintage Boat Championships at South Staffs Sailing Club

A superb entry of 29 boats for the OK Vintage Boat Championships © Mike Edwards

On Sunday the 19th October the OK fleet gathered at South Staffs SC for the annual OK Open meeting. The Vintage Boat Championships was also run as part of the event. Many had been at the club the previous day to watch or take part in the Youth & Junior Championships and woke to thick heads following the previous evening’s fun & games.

When all were counted, there was a superb entry of 29 boats. The wind was very shifty all day and varied between 10-22 knots, which tested all the competitors.

Race 1

Started first time somehow, as the line was very port biased. Nick Craig managed to tack onto port quickly and led up the first beat. Some had been left behind at the crash sight at the port end. Craig led at the first mark from Keith Dutton and Terry Curtis recovering well after a poor start. These three then went on to pull out a gap from super veteran Alan Atkin and juniors Chris White and Ed Bradburn.

As the race progressed, Curtis constantly challenged Craig for the lead, with Dutton still in contention. Behind, Mike Edwards was working his way through the fleet after being left for dead at the start. At the final mark Craig was in control and covered Curtis to take the win, with Dutton in 3rd. Edwards just had enough on the final upwind leg to snatch 4th from Bradburn, White and Atkin.

The first vintage boat to finish was Keith Macauley in 11th place, from Richard Burton in 17th.

Race 2

After lunch race 2 got underway and it was Curtis who led at the windward mark, followed by Alex Scoles and Craig. Sailing was tight with Curtis and Craig swapping places at the front. Scoles could not quite keep up and eventually he was caught by Edwards, with Julian Burnham flying off wind in fifth. At the finish it was again Craig who had assumed command over Curtis, to finish in that order. Edwards enjoyed a comfortable 3rd in the end from Scoles and Burnham 5th.

The honours in the vintage boat race, this time went to Burton from Macauley.

Race 3

Craig was looking for his third win of the day, but it was Curtis and Edwards who led up the first beat. Craig was not far behind, but did himself no favours by sailing for the wrong mark. Curtis and Edwards rounded in front and immediately developed a decent gap from Bradburn and Neil Goodhead. Craig rounded in the top ten. Curtis and Edwards extended the gap on the rest, with Edwards never quite getting close enough to challenge. Craig had worked his way to third and behind there was a good tussle between Goodhead, Burnham, Bradburn, White and Scoles. Curtis took the gun from Edwards close in 2nd. Craig had closed a little on the front two in third, with Goodhead winning the tussle for 4th from Bradburn.

Burton secured the Vintage Boat Championships with 13th overall, from Macauley who finished in 16th place.

The fleet came ashore to enjoy one of South Staffs legendary free teas. There were plenty of great prizes to give out courtesy of Purple Sails, Pinnell & Bax and a mystery donation. Commodore Mike Owen started by presenting the Vintage Boat trophy to Richard Burton. The best turned out Vintage Boat prize was awarded to Keith Macauley. Carol Danbury then presented the beautifully carved wooden OK trophy, which is a replica of her late husband’s beloved OK. This is awarded to the first South Staffs junior, which was Ed Bradburn and followed a very touching speech from Carol. The prize giving came to a finally with Nick Craig graciously thanking the competitors and South Staffs SC for a great weekend's sailing and hospitality.

Overall Results: