OK Dinghy P&B Southern Championship 2025 at Poole Yacht Club

OK P&B Southern Championship at Poole © Jackie Hale

The weekend of the 11th-12th October saw the British OK Dinghy Southern Championships hosted by Poole Yacht Club and kindly sponsored by Pinnell and Bax. Eighteen sailors made their way along the south coast for what promised to be a weekend of sunshine and gentle breeze.

After a prompt briefing and a steady 5-6 knots on the race course, the fleet set out for three scheduled races in Poole Harbour's top triangle.

Day 1

Race 1

The first race got away cleanly, with most of the fleet heading left. However, Parkstone YC sailor Peter Norman read the shifts best up the middle and rounded the windward mark first, closely followed by Ant Osman. Osman took the lead on the second beat, and with the breeze filling in from behind on the final downwind leg, the fleet bunched up. Osman held on for the win, Chris Turner sailed through to second, and Norman took third.

Race 2

Race two also started first time, despite a 30-degree wind shift just before the gun turning the first beat into more of a fetch. Ben Flower started well at the pin end and rounded first, followed closely by Charlie Munder, Turner, and Osman. With the windward mark repositioned for the second beat near Brownsea Island, spotting shifts proved tricky, but Flower maintained his lead to take the win, Osman finished second, and Turner again third.

Race 3

By the third race, the breeze had built to 6-8 knots, and the ebbing tide made for some tricky tactical decisions. Turner found the best route to the top mark and went on to claim the race win. Behind him, places changed frequently, with Nigel King sailing through to second and Flower finishing third.

After three races, three different winners set the stage for a competitive championship.

Rounding to finish on Sunday - OK P&B Southern Championship at Poole - photo © Jackie Hale

Day 2

Day two dawned with a promising 8-14 knot forecast. After a hearty bacon sandwich, the fleet launched for another three races.

Race 4

In steady 8-10 knots, most of the fleet favoured the pin end, but Osman, starting mid-line, found the best breeze and led from start to finish. Behind him, a close battle for second saw Flower edge ahead of Turner.

Race 5

The wind increased to a lively 12-14 knots. Despite a crowded committee boat end, the fleet got away first time. Most chose the left side for more breeze, and those who held longest were rewarded. The lead changed hands several times, but Turner took his second race win, with Flower second and Andrew Rushworth third.

Race 6

With scores tied, it all came down to the final race — Osman and Turner each with two wins, and Flower still in contention. The first and only general recall of the weekend showed how eager the fleet was. Under the U flag, the restart got away cleanly. Those who tacked early to the right lost out, while those who held left reaped the rewards.

Flower rounded first, chased by Rushworth and Steve Cooke, and that order held to the finish. Flower's win secured him the Southern Championship title by a single point, ahead of Turner in second and Osman in third.

With three race winners on equal footing and tight racing throughout, it was consistency that proved decisive. A fantastic weekend's sailing in glorious conditions — thanks to Poole Yacht Club and Pinnell & Bax for making it happen.

Winner, Ben Flower - OK P&B Southern Championship at Poole - photo © Matt Hitt

Overall Results: