Round 1 of the International OK Dinghy Class Association - Qld Traveller Series took place on Sunday 29th at Southport Yacht Club with 3, 20 minute sprint races right off the club house at Holywell with a solid 15-20 knots and an incoming tide travelling with the wind. So great flat water conditions and great breeze to start the series.
5 Boats took to the water, although there was a 6th boat there who decided that between the mould that had appeared on the boat cover under his unused sailing boots and the top mark being just that click too far past his outer limits, beer was the winner on the day. Right about the last beat on the last race I was thinking he was the smart one !!
Race 1
Simon out of the blocks and 1st to the top mark but managed to get tangled up in the wind shadow of some Laser bumper boats, pretty much for the rest of the race and watched Kel & Steve sail on by while talking quietly to himself "don't abuse the kids, don't abuse the kids". Kel 1, Steve 2, Simon 3, Wayne 4 & Rik using the association boat while Shades of Grey gets repainted and becomes just "Grey"
Race 2
Probably the windiest race. Nice little show of the centerboard by Steve in the pre-start (Jugs) but recovered well to lead the 1st 2 laps from Kel, then Simon, Wayne and Rik. But a few of us didnt look at the right flags on the start and didnt realise it was a 3 lap race, not 2. And that included Steve who went through the finish a lap too early and back to the beach while everyone else carried on. Simon didnt look at the flags either, ducked back through the start line (obstruction during racing) and carried on, but gave Wayne the place and that's how the race finished. Kel 1, Wayne 2, Simon 3, Rik 4 & Steve DNF & owing beer (Yum)
Race 3
Same sort of breeze, more tide. Steve took advantage of his skylab frame and straight leg hiking and just buggered off having finally understood he was sailing his OK again, not his Finn. Steve & Kel extended on the last run as they gapped it in a good puff and the rest of us wallowed down the run watching Steve send it down the last reach. Steve 1, Kel 2, Wayne 3, Simon 4, Rik 5.
A bit of a tune up session with Waynes boat seems to have done wonders to the boat speed and handling for him meaning while Steve & Kel had a little gap on the rest of us there was some really good boat on boats further back as well and a great days yottin.
Results are Here or in the Traveller Series menu above
Round 2 is October 19 at the RQ for 2 Longer Raced on Moreton Bay.
