OK Dinghy International Association Press Release

2009 OK Dinghy World Championship Kalmar, Sweden

Sunday 26th July 2009

Le peloton à la bouée de largue

After two general recalls, the race officer, Patrik Schander, used the
black flag to get the clear start for the first race of the OK World
Championships in Kalmar, Sweden. Sailing in sunshine and a moderate
breeze, the 71 OKs set off up the 20 minute beat. The majority of the fleet
remained on the starboard side of the course with Thomas Hansson-Mild
(SWE) and Jorgen Lindhardtsen (DEN) leading at the windward mark.
They created a big lead on the following pack, led by Terry Curtis
(GBR) and defending champion Karl Purdie (NZL). The order remained
unchanged to the finish.

Hansson-Mild was delighted to continue his winning ways. He won the
last race of the World Championship in Warnemunde in 2008 and now
starts the 2009 Championship with a win.

Race 1

1. Thomas Hansson-Mild SWE
2. Jorgen Lindhardtsen DEN
3. Terry Curtis GBR
4. Karl Purdie NZL
5. Pawel Pawlaczyk POL
6. Nick Craig GBR
7. Andre Blasse AUS
8. Mogens Johansen DEN
9. Greg Wilcox NZL
10. Ralf Tietje GER

Départ de la 2e manche

After a general recall at the start of race 2 there was a short delay
while the wind backed to a more southerly direction.

Karl Purdie et Nick Craig

On voit bien la différence de souplesse en latéral entre un C-Tech et un Ceilidh pour 2 barreurs d’un poids équivalent,

As it settled back to the original direction, the race officer lost
no time in starting the race with a black flag, claiming three
premature starters. The moderate breeze persisted, creating a short
chop that was difficult to sail over when the wind pressure dropped.
Nick Craig (GBR) rounded the windward mark first, with Purdie
close behind. Having been penalised by the jury in race 1 Craig
sailed a conservative reach, Purdie however, managed to surf past and
steadily increased his lead for the remainder of the race. Andre
Blasse (AUS) managed to pass Craig, as did Lindhardtsen on the line !

Race 2

1. Karl Purdie NZL
2. Andre Blasse AUS
3. Jorgen Lindhardtsen DEN
4. Nick Craig GBR
5. Thomas Hansson-Mild SWE
6. Greg Wilcox NZL
7. Terry Curtis GBR
8. Pawel Pawlaczyk POL
9. Antoni Pawlowski POL
10. Bo-Staffan Andersson SWE

Day 1 reflections

Purdie, who leads the fleet, reflected on the day’s racing. "The
first race was OK, but I did not get a good start, spending most of
the time on Curtis’ transom. The shifts are predictable, and with
everyone travelling at very similar speeds, it is difficult to get
past your opponents. In the second race I had a better start and
was able to be more aggressive than Craig in my sailing of the reaches
as he had received the yellow flag in the first race. I am pleased
with my results - though they are not as good as last year’s." He won
both races last year.

Jorgen Lindharsten

Ex-Olympian, Lindhardtsen continues to show the rest of the fleet how
to sail an OK Dinghy. He is currently in second place, on equal
points with Purdie. Now 64 years of age, more than 20 years
Purdie’s senior, he commented that it could have been so much worse
as, whilst trying to break out from Curtis’ cover, he did a bad tack,
just saving a capsize by pirouetting back onto his original tack.

Blasse commented, "It was a good day", as he made the most of the
breezy conditions, while seasoned campaigner Curtis said, "this is my
best ever first day at a World Championship."

Event website : www.kalmarraceweek.se
Class website : www.okdia.org

Text : Mary Reddyhoff, OKDIA
Photos : Mary Reddyhoff