International OK Dinghy World Ranking List Updated
by Robert Deaves 23 Jul 2011 18:28 BST
23 July 2011
In the final OK Dinghy World Rankings release before next week's World
Championship in Largs, Scotland, current world champion Karl Purdie (NZL)
retains the number one spot from former world champion Greg Wilcox (NZL).
Terry Curtis (GBR) moves up one place to third while some recent good
results have boosted another former world champion Thomas Hansson-Mild (SWE)
to fourth. Triple world champion Nick Craig (GBR) drops to fifth.
This release includes the Medemblik Spring Cup, which was won by Wilcox with
Craig in second, the German Nationals, won by Finn star Andre Budzien (GER)
with Wilcox in second, the Nordic Championship, won by Stefan Myrälf (DEN)
with Wilcox in second, Kiel Week, which was won by Wilcox with Craig again
in second, and Warnemünde Week won by Jorgen Svendsen (DEN) with Wilcox in
second.
Only 11 out of the top 20 in the rankings will be sailing in next week's
World Championship in Largs, so there are sure to be plenty of changes for
the next release later this year. This is also the last release that Karl
Purdie will occupy the number one spot, after skipping the defence of his
title this year. In addition with so few Kiwis travelling to Scotland most
will drop out of the top 20 by the time of the next release. There will be
some big changes and perhaps a lot of new names moving high up the list.
Next week's World Championship will feature four former World Champions.
Craig is vying for a record equalling fourth world title while Hansson-Mild
and the much older Wilcox are on top form and looking for a second world
title. The 1998 World Champion Roger Blasse (AUS) is also entered for the
Worlds, so could make a significant gain in the rankings with a good result.
With the points so close at the top, whoever does take the title, is almost
certain to lead the world rankings after next week.
Top 20 Rankings (out of 416)
1. Karl Purdie NZL 1001.91 points / 7 events
2. Greg Wilcox NZL 903.82 / 13
3. Terry Curtis GBR 866.65 / 10
4. Thomas Hansson-Mild SWE 856.19 / 7
5. Nick Craig GBR 843.67 / 7
6. Paul Rhodes NZL 826.52 / 5
7. Ben Morrison NZL 812.59 / 5
8. Andre Blasse AUS 810.51 / 7
9. Brad Douglas NZL 809.33 / 5
10. Luke O'Connell NZL 789.76 / 5
11. Alistair Deaves NZL 788.60 / 7
12. Mike Williams AUS 779.43 / 6
13. Jorgen Svendsen DEN 766.87 / 10
14. Tomasz Gaj POL 719.80 / 11
15. Matt Steven NZL 699.98 / 4
16. Sonke Behrens GER 699.88 / 8
17. Steve McDowell NZL 676.42 / 4
18. Roger Blassé AUS 669.40 / 4
19. Christian Hedlund DEN 640.27 / 16
20. Russell Wood NZL 638.56 / 4