Woods dominates.......for now at OK Dinghy Nationals

by Matt Stechmann on 3 Jan 2013 Wakatere heavy weather master Russell Woods started the 50th OK Dinghy Nationals in Napier in perfect fashion with wins in both heats on the first day of competition. With all races scheduled for afternoon starts, the fleet spent the morning finishing boat details and watching the weather. A trip to west beach confirmed what most thought - a very fresh westerly was already settled in and a tough day at the office was in store for all.

At 12 sharp, the first craft put to seas and were greeted by a steady wind strength of 20 knots with puffs into the high 20s.

After the first heat was abandoned near the top mark for a large shift in the breeze, the contest got underway properly. Following a typically competitive start, the fleet scattered all over the course and as the boats converged on the top pin, Brett Graham from Wakatere charged in from the right hand corner to lead the fleet round the top.

Graham then lead the fleet on a merry old trek round the bay in search of the wing mark, which when located, was well to leeward. Worser Bay's Steve McDowell grabbed the lead as the boats converged on the wing mark. With the breeze in the mid 20s and flat water, the gybe was a little tricky to say the least but the front pack were round and off on a fast and furious charge to the bottom mark. At the bottom, McDowell retained his lead and was followed closely by regatta favourites Ben Morrison, Woods, Matt Stechmann and Nige Mannering. Up the second work, Woods made his move and with the breeze a solid 25, he pulled the cunno down on his new North Sails Bushy 5 and made short work of first Morrison and then McDowell.

By the top, Woods had a comfortable lead which he maintained down a chaotic run. With puffs touching 30, everyone had moments of horror. Starting into the last work, Woods looked safe but made the fatal Napier mistake of trying to protect both sides. Morrison slipped the cover and powered in from the left hand corner. Woods managed to get there in time to clamp on a cover so tight an oxygen mask fell from Morrison's boom. The game was up there and Woods extended for a comfortable win, Morrison took second. Nige Mannering sailed a superb race to take third and Paul Rhodes also come through well for fourth just seconds ahead of McDowell, Peter Schueal, Stechmann and Ade Mannering. The drama wasn't over as Morrison and Nige were then both informed they were both OCS. Unfortunate as both had sailed excellent races.

With the forecast for the breeze to build more the second heat was started pretty smartly. The breeze tried to fool everyone that it had done its job for the day by dropping to a pleasant 10 knots for the start but within minutes, everyone was easing the trav down and the cunno ropes were back in action. A shift to the left saw the boats on the corner reach over those who had tacked early and at the top, Woods lead from Rhodes, Nige Mannering and a small distance to Stechmann. Adrian Coultard and McDowell rounded a further minute back then the rest were still battling their way in from the right. Down the reaches the position didn't change but the group compressed. At the bottom, the front five went round pretty much nose to tail - Woods, Rhodes, Mannering, Stechmann and McDowell. Up the second work Woods covered the favoured left hand side working the shifts nicely to extend his lead.

Stechmann slipped up the inside to pass Mannering and round the top with Rhodes. McDowell had a case of the go slows as he couldn't find the right gear in his new Leech OK and fell off the pace. Down the run, Mannering bought the breeze down to join Rhodes and Stechmann. Woods turned for home with a comfortable lead. Rhodes and Mannering played safe and worked the shifts up the middle right while Stechmann attacked the left corner. The balance swung to and fro until finally Stechmann tacked over and started the trek in from the corner.

At first it didn't look that good, but slowly the breeze backed to the west and Stechmann eased sheets and started to reach at high speed for the pin end. Having no other option, the others tacked over to port and firstly Rhodes then Mannering were rolled. Could Woods who had sailed super all day hang on? As the two boats closed the line, Woods had judged it to perfection and slipped across the pin on starboard as Stechmann ducked his stern to take second, Mannering won a titanic last beat battle with Rhodes and McDowell rounded out the five.

So after a hectic first day, Woods carried a nice pair of firsts, but with consistent sailing, Rhodes sits placed on six points, Stechmann seven and Mcdowell eight.

The forecast for day two is a light to moderate sea breeze which will see more players join the fray.