Third day in a row

OK Worlds blighted by conditions, this time no wind and still no racing reports Robert Deaves

What do you do with 118 OK Dinghy sailors when there is either too much wind or not enough wind to be able to get in any races? Well the after sailing free beer on offer here in Leba, Poland helps, but the sailors' frustration is very apparent as for the third day in a row there was no racing. However today, it because the winds were too light and fickle.

Sailors were sent afloat at 08.30 for a 10.00 start to make up on lost ground after yesterday's opening races and Sunday's practice races were abandoned because the winds were too strong. A light but steady breeze awaited them, but after two failed starts, the easterly wind died for 90 minutes before reappearing in the west. For a while it looked good, but then it died again and then reappeared back in the east.

The wind games continued and just when a course was laid, it started to die again. Another 90 minutes later it briefly appeared in the west, before coming in stronger from the south – well about 4 knots. After this started to fade away30 minutes later , the race officer finally sent the fleet home. They had been at sea for over six hours with no racing. Once on shore, the sailors were held for a further hour in case the breeze built enough to allow racing, but at 17.00 there was still only two knots on the race course, so all racing for the day was abandoned. As this report goes to press the wind is now in the north.

At last night's OK Dinghy International Association (OKDIA) Annual General Meeting, the class unanimously voted in Canada as a returning member of OKDIA and accepted the bid from Wellington in New Zealand to host the 2010 World Championships. Most of the committee remains the same except that the current secretary Robert Deaves (GBR) becomes the Chairman of the Marketing Committee while Mary Reddyhoff (GBR) becomes the new secretary.

In its fiftieth year the class is also looking at how it can ensure the next 50 are just as successful. Towards this end, additional items discussed included plans to look at simplifying and standardising many of the class rules, encouraging more youth and grass roots development in the class and looking at more professional marketing opportunities.

The schedule for the 2007 World Championships is now becoming tight and three races per day are planned on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Five races are needed to make a series. The worry is that the forecast is for 30 knots on Wednesday, but the sailors are determined to go sailing come what may. Hopefully there will be some real news to report tomorrow.