OK Dinghy Europeans - Tough day 2 for the fleet
by Robert Deaves on 24 Jul 2013
Christian Hedlund, star performer of day 2 International OK Dinghy Association - copyright
http://www.okdia.org/
On day two of the OK Dinghy Europeans, there were tough conditions with big tide of more than five metres and winds between four and eight knots in Carnac, France. The race committee kept the fleet ashore for a late start at 15.00.
Race three got away off after a couple of general recalls. The race winner was Bo Petersen (DEN) after a tight battle with Tomazs Gaj (POL) and Stefan Myralf (DEN).
For the second race the wind had picked up and early leader Christian Hedlund (DEN) who sailed well in both races and finished fifth in the first race. In the second race he started at the committee boat and got off in free wind on to the right side of the course and sailed a good first beat to round in the lead. Hedlund said, 'It seems that you have to go for pressure as the wind was a bit low compare to the choppy waves.'
The chasing pack were a big bunch of Nick Craig (GBR), Jim Hunt (GBR), Greg Wilcox (NZL), Lee child (GBR and Thomas Hansson-Mild. Hedlund finished second and picks up 5,2 and advances in the overall results. The winner of race 2 was Hansson-Mild and with two wins now leads the regatta by six points from Myralf.
Wilcox had a much more consistent day with a fourth and a third, to be third overall on equal points with Gaj. Peterson, with a black flag, has slipped down the leader board but with two firsts and a sixth will come back into contention with a discard tomorrow. Hansson-Mild is happy with today's sailing and is looking forward to tomorrow.
Wilcox said, 'It was very tricky sailing with pressure lines everywhere apart from where I was. Still it was a good solid day. The fleet has really closed up in speed which is a pain but actually very good for the class. There is a strong British showing and there are five former world champions here and today we were all together on the top mark, which was kind of fun.'
The championship continues at 13.00 on Wednesday and continues through until Friday, with a total of 10 races scheduled.
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