Dean Barker to sail in OKI 24 Hour Race

by Kieran Stoltenkamp on 20 Feb 2008


The OKI 24 Hour Race which gets underway this weekend, 23 February, at Lake Pupuke will include Emirates Team NZ Skipper Dean Barker.

One of New Zealand’s most unique yachting events, the OKI 24 Hour Race requires competing teams to sail non-stop in rotating shifts for a period of 24 hours in Laser class boats.

Murrays Bay Sailing Club Vice Commodore, Owen Rutter, said while the race is a serious endurance event, it is also a lot of fun for both participants and spectators.

“The Race gets underway with competitors running down the banks of Lake Pupuke in a Le Mans style start and then jumping into their boats,” Owen said.

“Under the Race rules, each team member can sail for a maximum of three hours before they are required to rest for a minimum of one hour.

“Crew members embark and disembark from their yachts from a pontoon positioned on the lake – it can result in some great thrills and spills for weary competitors. Ultimately, the winning team is the one that completes the most number of laps within the 24-hour period.”

Owen said the event attracts a wide variety of entrants including a number of international competitors. They are split into five categories - Open Class, Youth (under 19 years), Women’s, Masters (over 35 years) and a new Junior Youth Interclub Challenge.

Barker will be in the Legends boat which, as the name suggests, has high profile sports people and celebrities crewing it.

“There are two competitors per boat, except for the Masters and Women’s divisions where they can have three team members. Those competing in the newly created Junior Youth Interclub division can have no maximum number of sailors, but must have a minimum of four all aged 17 years and under.”

Owen said funds raised from the event, which has been running since the 1960s, are used by the Murray’s Bay Sailing Club for youth coaching.

“The Race is for a great cause – up-and-coming young talent - and we have had excellent support from a wide range of organisations and the local community.”

The OKI 24-Hour race kicks off at Lake Pupuke on 23 February, 2008 at 2pm and concludes on Sunday 24 February at 2pm.