OK class at the Easter Egg Regatta 2026 at Waldringfield Sailing Club
by Simon Davis 16 Apr 05:56 PDT
3-4 April 2026
Simon Davis - OK class at the Easter Egg Regatta at Waldringfield © Robert Deaves /
www.robertdeaves.uk
On 3/4th April, the OK dinghy returned to Waldringfield SC on the East Coast for their annual Easter Egg Regatta, the second round of the 2026 Vaikobi OK Travellers Series. It is now over 60 years that the OK class has been part of this multi-class regatta.
Leading up to Easter weekend, the meteorological news was dominated by the impending approach of Storm Dave and the forecast for the first day was for strong winds with gusts up to 30 knots. Unfortunately, this deterred a number of visitors from travelling but the local sailors were resolute.
After a short briefing, the 80+ boats, were sent out for 3 back-to-back races with a particularly high tide providing a wide sailing area on the river. To everyone's relief the gusts were only a tame 20 knots.
Good Friday:
Race 1
There was a clean OK class start and the fleet headed left to avoid the current of the incoming tide. Robert Deaves perfectly judged his tack to the windward mark, laid in the channel, and rounded in first place. He was followed by Geoff Harris and Clive Quantrill down an exciting reach to the wing mark. With Robert extending his lead, by the end of lap 1 Simon Davis had moved up to third. At the end it was Robert, Simon and Geoff.
Race 2
Again, the fleet went hard left. Judging the port tack lay line and minimising time in the channel, was again critical. At the windward mark the OKs rounded close together with Robert leading Simon and Geoff. This order remained the same at the finish.
Race 3
Another clean start and drag race to the left. Was it still an advantage or were the fleet just too tired to tack? Gear failure and a retirement saw the fleet reduced by two on the first beat. At the first mark it was Robert, Simon and Clive. Simon hung on to Robert throughout the race but he couldn't quite do enough to catch him at the finish.
There had been many capsizes on the north course but the OKs had steadfastly remained upright. With tired limbs the OKs headed back for a hot shower and to regale stories in the bar.
Saturday:
The wind had dropped 5 knots overnight but it was going to be temporary with more of Storm Dave on its way.
Race 4
The strategy up the first beat remained the same but with more significant wind shifts adding a new dimension to the racing. Robert led again at the windward mark but with the chasing pack close on his heels. At the end it was Robert, Simon and Luke.
Race 5
The last race was perhaps the closest with three different leaders. Motoring up the first beat, Geoff Harris rounded first followed by Robert Deaves and Simon Davis. On the downwind leg Robert took the lead but on the following beat racing between the three remained close in the shifty breeze. On the run Robert maintained the lead from Geoff but on the next beat Simon came through to take the lead.
However, it was short lived as Robert powered through on the reach. A big shift on the next beat allowed the leaders a rare visit to the right side of the river. The change in scenery was appreciated. After 5 laps it was Robert, Simon and Luke in that order at the finish.
Congratulations to Robert Deaves on securing his 11th Easter Egg trophy win in a row.
With tea and cakes on offer by the club the competitors gathered for a generous prize-giving with Easter Eggs for the class winners and each of the youth sailors. For the OKs prizes were also kindly provided by Vaikobi sponsor of the OK Travellers Series. PRO Roger Challis was also presented with a Vaikobi Beanie for running some excellent racing in difficult conditions.
The fleet now look forward to getting together again at the Ullswater YC Daffodil Regatta on 25-26 April and the OK Spring Cup at Medemblik on 1-3rd May.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 10 | Robert Deaves | Waldringfield SC | ‑1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2nd | 999 | Simon Davis | Waldringfield SC | ‑2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| 3rd | 2184 | Luke Farthing | Waldringfield SC | 4 | 5 | (DNF) | 3 | 3 | 15 |
| 4th | 50 | Clive Quantrill | Waldringfield SC | ‑5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 15 |
| 5th | 78 | Geoff Harris | Waldringfield SC | 3 | 3 | (DNC) | 5 | 5 | 16 |
| 6th | 23 | Adrian Pells | Harwich Town SC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 32 |
| 6th | 2183 | Peter Holbrook | Harwich Town SC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 32 |