Victorian brothers battle for OK title

by Bob Chapman/Sail-World on 11 Apr 2005 The 43rd Australian Championship for the International OK Dinghy Class was sailed on Lake Macquarie and hosted by Belmont 16ft Sailing Club over the Easter weekend.

Victorian brothers, Roger and Andre Blasse, representing Black Rock YC, battled throughout for the title.

Defending champion and winner of seven OK National titles, Roger, was the victor after winning the first four races of the series to eventually overcome his brother by a marginal four points.

On day one, Roger won the first two races in testing 18-23 knot southerly winds, narrowly getting the better of his brother in race 2. Races 3 and 4 were sailed in 10-15kt south-easterly winds which faded towards the end of race 4.

Roger again worked his magic to take the gun in both races, with Andre scoring a second and sixth, using the latter result as his drop.
Only race five could be completed on day three.

Tom Burton, a 14 year-old (Wangi Amateur SC) displayed maturity beyond his years to sail a well-controlled race to lead the fleet for most of the way. Looking likely to get the gun, he was denied the opportunity by New Zealander Mark Perrow.

Roger Blasse had his worst result in that race, a 14th, which he used for his drop, whilst brother Andre scored another sixth place, putting paid to his championship chances.

On day four similar testing light conditions prevailed in race six. Burton re-produced his form of race five to finish second to Andre Blasse. Third place went to Perrow and fourth to the defending champ.

After several delays, the final race got underway in a brisk 12-15kt southerly, which brought back the smiles to many competitors’ faces.

Andre Blasse scored his second win, but brother, Roger, pipped early race leader Burton on the line to grab second place and the championship.

Andre contented himself as winner of the Veteran division, with Peter Horne (Drummoyne SC) winning the close fought battle for third place overall from Tim Davies, Paul Foster and Mick McQueen, all from the well-performed Wangi Amateur SC.

Bill Tyler (Sydney Amateur SC) won the Masters division, while Tom Burton was the clear winner of the Junior division.

The highly coveted Patrick Whittington Memorial Trophy for outstanding performance for the regatta was awarded to David Ketteridge (Adelaide SC), who at just 68 kilos, demonstrated the skills, resolve and sportsmanship that those who sail the OK so fully appreciate.

Conditions for the regatta were predominantly medium to fresh breezes from the south to south-east sector. Races five and six were conducted in light and fickle westerly conditions.

Belmont 16ft Sailing Club provided generous facilities, support craft and personnel. The principal race management team was sourced from the Sydney Amateur SC.

These championships also attracted product support from Zhik, the innovative developer of cutting edge sailing apparel and technical sporting gear (refer www.zhik.com ).

Forty-two entries from five Australian states contested the Championship, which also included an entry from New Zealand and for the first time in many years, one female.

They were joined by three local juniors. Two of these were making their debut appearance in an OK Dinghy after stepping up from the Sabot class.

This event was as a warm-up for the upcoming 2006 World Championship to be sailed from the same venue in February 2006. Further information on the International OK Dinghy can be obtained from the following websites, http://www.ok.yachting.org.au and www.okdia.de

Final top seven results:

1. Slime - R Blasse (Vic) 10.00

2. The Great Escape - A Blasse (Vic) 14.00

3. The Crack P Horne (NSW) 30.00

4. So Long & Thanks - T Davies (NSW) 36.00

5. Beaver Fever - P Forster (NSW) 49.00

6. San Jose - M McQueen (NSW) 51.00

7. Dining with the Devil - M Perrow (NZ) 59.00