OK Dinghies- Worser Bay Hurricane Classic

by Alistair Deaves on 8 Nov 2005 The Worser Bay Hurricane Classic was the third regatta in the OK Dinghy Summer series and it would be fair to say that the wind lived up to its reputation! Or as one of the competitors put it; ‘it just blew steaming monkey nuts’.

Saturday saw the wind come from the north and Sunday from the south.
Competitors were assured by the locals that this was an ‘easing breeze’
however in Wellington double-speak the phrase ‘easing breeze’ really means that the wind will eventually ease off, but not until it has increased to such a level that the aero-dynamics of the OK rig completely break down, several boats are broken and the whole fleet is battered and worn and sitting in the clubhouse having a few beers. Only then will the wind ‘ease’ having itself a well earned rest to prepare itself for more ‘easing’ on the next day!

Three hardy sailors from Wakatere in Auckland joined four sailors from Napier and a seven locals on the start line for the first race in an ‘easing’ 35 knot northerly. Karl Purdie showed good skill leading around the whole course, steadfastly refusing to capsize on the high speed down wind legs, with Adrian Mannering from Napier some way back in second place.

Only 7 boats ventured out for the second race of the day in a still ‘easing’ 35 knot breeze. Greg Wilcox launched just 4 minutes before the start after a late decision to hit the water, and after possibly playing some head games with the other sailors watching the carnage from the safety of the club. The race itself was a battle between local Steve McDowell and Wakatere sailor Mark Perrow. Places kept changing until Perrow capsized at the last gybe, handing the race to McDowell. Worser Bay veteran Joe Porebski came home in second.

After an evening of fireworks and beer, Sunday morning actually looked quite good. But sure enough the wind was doing some more ‘easing’ by the time the fleet got to the start line. Karl Purdie again showed a clean pair of heels in the first race, chased by McDowell. By race two the wind was over 30 knots again. The off wind sailing in the flatter water of the southerly was just fantastic. Unfortunately, 30 knot self tacking wind shifts at the top of the beat caused a few headaches. McDowell won this race after passing the leaders down the run and holding on to the finish with Purdie second.

With Purdie and McDowell counting a DNS and DNF respectively, the race for overall honours was between Perrow and Wilcox. Wilcox and Porebski swam at the wing mark and pulled out of the race. Perrow then only had to finish to win overall, achieving his best result of the regatta as he did so; a second place behind triple race winner Purdie, who could only wonder if he should had sailed race two.

So Perrow won after consistently finishing every race, being only one of three sailors to do so; the others being Grant Pedersen and Darren Hunt.

The next regatta is the Turangi International open to be held in two weeks time.

Results:
1st M Perrow Wakatere
2nd K Purdie Worser Bay
3rd S McDowell Worser Bay
4th G Wilcox Worser bay
5th G Pedesen Wakatere
6th D Hunt Napier


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