OK Dinghy Open at Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club

Prize winners at the Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club OK Dinghy open © Jo Harris

Despite the forecast strong winds & rain, and the absence of 11 boats still in transit back from Thailand, 13 OK dinghies made the trip to Bristol Corinthian YC. Trapezoid courses were order of the day for the three scheduled races and the Force 3-4 shifty wind was doubtless going to blow a few cobwebs away.

For some it was the first event of the year and Race 1 saw an eager few misjudge the start with the inevitable recall. Simon Davis from Upper Thames started at the pin end, went left and rounded the windward mark first, followed by Ed Bradburn, and Tony Woods. Davis's glory was short lived as he capsized at the gybe mark allowing Bradburn to take the lead. Ian Harris pulled through Woods on the first lap to move into 2nd with Gavin Waldron 4th. These positions remain for the remainder of the race with Davis pulling back to 5th.

After lunch and an opportunity to dry out the start of Race 2 was more orderly with Ed Bradburn first at the windward mark followed by Davis & Woods. On the second run Roland Gadsby benefited from more wind on the right to move ahead of Woods & Davis with Ian Harris following. With Bradburn now clear there was close racing between the next four with much place changing up the beat & down the run. At the final gybe mark Woods appeared to have 2nd in the bag but a fluffed gybe let Harris then Gadsby through to reach to the finish.

A heavily biased line saw the first start of Race 3 recalled but the second start got clean away. At the windward mark it was Harris with Davis on his transom, both clear ahead of the pack. For 3 laps there were only a few boat lengths between the two but Davis was unable to break through with Harris taking line honours. Behind the next 4 boats enjoyed some close racing with Mark Billows having his best race holding third place for most of the race. At the line it was Waldron, Billows, Gadsby then Woods.

Overall victory went to Ed Bradburn from South Staffs closely followed by Ian Harris from the home club. The next 3 boats ended the day tied on points but a second place in the last race was enough for Davis to take third overall on the tie-break.

Thanks again to Bristol Corinthian for another excellent event.

Overall Results: