International OK Australian Championship at Southport Yacht Club - Day 3
by Bronwen Hemmings 5 Jan 2018 04:22 PST
2-7 January 2018
Fleet at the start line for day three of the 56th OK Dinghy National Championships 2018 © Southport Yacht Club
With the OK Dinghy fleet becoming the fasted growing dinghy division at Southport Yacht Club it was a no brainer for SYC member Emma Hutcheson to jump on board.
"Only twelve months ago I began my OK Dinghy adventure, the assistance and training I have had from my fellow sailors has been second to none, without them I couldn't be at the competition level I am today": said Emma.
Recently competing at the 2017 Queensland OK Dinghy National championships in late August, Emma finished the championships 12th place in a fleet of 21. Before the state championships, Emma had sailed offshore in keelboats but never in her ok dinghy.
"It was petrifying at first, as I sailed through the seaway into open waters I had tears in my eyes, but in the back of my head I knew I had the support of my fellow sailors as well as the race officials. As the waves got bigger and the wind got stronger I kept telling myself everything was ok. Once back on dry land, the tears continued although this time with a smile from ear to ear, I couldn't wait to get back out there, I knew I had the OK dinghy sailing bug," Emma added.
Emma is one of two female sailors competing at the 56th International OK Dinghy Championships, currently sitting in 34th place overall.
Today's first race with 12-14 knots brought the sailors a beautiful breeze with very even racing and a slight course change left by 10 degrees, in other words a perfect race.
The second race wind changes brought a course reset resulting in a delayed start, two general recalls and a black flag at the third start. With a breeze drop to 10 – 11 knots the course was extended.
Overall today hosted perfect weather conditions for OK dinghy racing.
After starting at the pin end in race one and first around the top mark by at least 15 boat lengths, current first place holder Rob Mcmillan, managed a backward capsize on the course in race two.
42 competitors will head offshore tomorrow, Saturday 6th January for day four of the five-day regatta. Rob Mcmillan, NB SAILSPORTS consistently holding in first place, followed closely behind by world current number one Greg Wilson, TURTLE SAILS in second and current Queensland Champion Kelvin Holdt, GREEN EGGS AND HAM in third.
For full results, news and further information from the event see www.southportyachtclub.com.au/ok-dinghy-national-championships-2018