Please select your home edition
Edition
Sea Sure 2025

OK dinghy 'mob' gather for Not the Worlds event

by Yachting New Zealand 9 Sep 2020 01:33 PDT
Rod Davis, pictured competing at last year's OK Dinghy world championships, was third © Robert Deaves

A strong fleet of 31 OK Dinghies gathered at the Wakatere Boating Club last weekend for the Not the Worlds regatta, a replacement event for Kiwi sailors affected by the cancelled OK Dinghy world championships in Sweden, writes By Rod Davis.

It was a great success on all fronts - from weather conditions, race committee and volunteer expertise, to the OK sailors themselves, quite remarkably, adhering to the social distancing but still with the normal beer and banter in the boat park that the class is world famous for. “The glue of an OK mob”, as one person said.

Saturday saw four races of about 30 minutes each in quick succession. Typical of a spring day in Auckland, we had a 10-17 knot breeze off the land which created a complicated shifty and puffy race course. This meant consistency in finishes was difficult, but something worth striving for.

Starting well took a back seat to the importance of being in phase with wind shifts and being able to battle back from the inevitable got-it-wrong moments.

The first three races had three different winners, with Steve McDowell, George Cooper and Luke O'Connell (Colt) all taking a turn getting it more right than the rest of the fleet.

The battle lines were being drawn up and down the fleet. That is the magic of OK racing, because wherever you are in the fleet, you know the sail numbers of your direct rivals, the sailors you can beat when you’re sailing well. That is the regatta within the regatta, and makes every finish matter.

The all-important Tiki race, in 17 knots (awarded to the winner of the last race of the day, and bragging rights over every person on the planet for the next 24 hours) required herculean efforts from all the sailors to find new energy in aching, hiking muscles and addled brains from a day of big shifts and ripping tide.

Author’s Note: the Tiki is harder to win than an Olympic medal or the America’s Cup… trust me… just say’n!

Steve showed his youth and sailing form to cross the line first, for the second time on day one, to take Tiki glory and a solid overnight lead overall.

Sunday was an early 10.30am start, with winds from eight to 10 knots, and building through the three races to finish at 18 to 20. Outgoing current, repeatedly setting the fleet over the start line, made for tricky starts with lots of general recalls.

It was high stress, yet entertaining stuff (even a few laughs) for everyone. The last race was in big wind with wild rides downwind. Overnight leader, Steve, kept his nerve, even under Colt’s pressure, to win in convincing style.

A special thanks to Andy Richards and his 14 fabulous volunteers and Dean Coleman, who did double duty, prepping race committee boats plus racing in the regatta.

Overall Results:

1st: Steve McDowell

2nd: Colt (Luke O’Connell)

3rd: Rod Davis

Related Articles

Herbert makes impressive Wing Foil Racing debut
New Zealand's Sean Herbert has announced his arrival on the international stage with a bronze medal. New Zealand's Sean Herbert has announced his arrival on the international stage with a bronze medal at his Wingfoil Racing World Cup debut. Posted on 17 Jun
Yachting NZ: 'A win for the squad'
Rising Kiwi 49er team Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush have won the Gold Medal at the European Champs Rising Kiwi 49er team Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush have won the Gold Medal at the European Championships in Greece overnight. Posted on 9 Jun
Yachting NZ: National Championship roundup
Optimists to the Etchells, the past month has seen top performances across the board From the Optimists to the Etchells, the past month has seen top performances across the board, with sailors of all levels showcasing their skills and determination. Posted on 7 May
Taipa Sailing Club hard hit by Cyclone
The Taipa Sailing Club is reeling after being hard hit by Cyclone Tam - launches Givealittle page When Cyclone Tam tore the roof off the Taipa Sailing Club just over a week ago, the immediate future of the small Northland yacht club suddenly looked uncertain.A Givealittle page has raised more than $6000 in the first five days. Posted on 28 Apr
NZL Sailing Team: Tom Saunders wins silver
Tom Saunders celebrated his return to the world stage with NZ's second post-Olympics medla Tom Saunders celebrated his return to the world stage with New Zealand's second medal of the short international sailing season, claiming silver in his first major regatta since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Posted on 27 Apr
NZL Sailing Team: Bronze for Ten Have
Veerle Ten Have starts new Olympic campaign with bronze at Princess Sofia Trophy The 24-year-old Tauranga sailor claimed bronze in the women's iQFOiL at the 2025 Princess Sofia Trophy regatta in Palma, Mallorca on Saturday following a strong display of speed and consistency in her first major regatta since finishing 10th in Marseille. Posted on 6 Apr
Oceanbridge Sail Auckland 2025 Day 3
A new top 49er crew give masterclass on Day 3 of Oceanbridge Sail Auckland Plenty of hard work and a touch of Olympic inspiration has propelled one of New Zealand's most promising double-handed crews to success at the country's premier domestic sailing event. Posted on 2 Mar
Oceanbridge Sail Auckland 2025 Day 2
Set for a thrilling conclusion at Torbay Sailing Club The 2025 Oceanbridge Sail Auckland is set for a thrilling conclusion, with little separating the leaders in most fleets as they battle it out at Torbay Sailing Club. Posted on 1 Mar
YNZ CEO to step down after 14years at the helm
Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie has announced his retirement Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie has announced his retirement, bringing down the curtain on more than 14 years at the organisation's helm. Posted on 26 Feb
Olympic Silver medalists win Sailor the Year
Olympic Silver medalists win Sir Bernard Ferguson Trophy at Sailor of the Year Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie won the top honour at the 2024 Barfoot & Thompson Yachting Excellence Awards on Friday, claiming the Sailor of the Year title as Olympic sailors dominated the major awards. Posted on 22 Nov 2024
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_SY BOTTOMPalm Beach Motor YachtsExposure Marine