OK Dinghy International Association Press Release

2009 OK Dinghy World Championship Kalmar, Sweden

Day two - Monday 27th July 2009

Lindharsten devant Radocy et Hanssonmild

In sunshine and a light breeze race 3 of the OK Dinghy World
Championship in Kalmar, Sweden started promptly at 11:05.
However dark clouds soon appeared, with the wind increasing and
backing, necessitating the windward mark to be moved 30 degrees to port for
the second beat. The short choppy waves also became more pronounced.
Thomas Hansson-Mild (SWE), Jorgen Lindhardtsen (DEN) and Karl Purdie
(NZL) chose the pin end to start.

Alignement au départ

Those that hit the left corner came out well ahead of those on the starboard
side of the course, for example Gavin Waldron (GBR) tacked round the windward
mark in 15th place, well ahead of many of the front runners. Purdie built an
impressive lead on the two reaches, with Hansson-Mild and Lindhardtsen
close behind. These three held their positions up the next beat, but Hansson-Mild
was impressive on the downwind leg and overtook Purdie, with a boat
length separating each at the leeward mark.

Hansson-Mild and Lindhardtsen remained on the port side of the course,
with Purdie tacking to the starboard side. At the finish, it was
Purdie who got the gun.

1. Karl Purdie NZL
2. Thomas Hansson-Mild SWE
3. Jorgen Lindhardtsen DEN
4. Andre Blasse
5. Greg Wilcox NZL
6. Gunter Arndt GER
7. Bartosz Radocy POL
8. Terry Curtis GBR
9. Mogens Johansen DEN
10. Oliver Gronholz GER

The breeze had freshened for the start of the fourth race, with some
roguish one metre waves appearing to catch the unwary OK Dinghy
sailor. Once again the fleet got away at the first attempt, with
individual recalls for a couple of sailors. Whereas port paid on the
first beat of race 3, it was the sailors on the starboard side who
benefitted in race 4. Hansson-Mild was first to the
windward mark, with Lindhardtsen, Purdie and
Nick Craig (GBR) close behind. There was little place changing to the
finish, by which time Hansson-Mild had built a substantial lead on his
competitors. The fresh breeze and waves provided optimal conditions
for superb surfing conditions for all the competitors who came off the
water exhilarated by the day’s racing.

1. Thomas Hansson-Mild SWE
2. Karl Purdie NZL
3. Jorgen Lindhardtsen DEN
4. Nick Craig GBR
5. Andre Blasse AUS
6. Greg Wilcox NZL
7. Christian Olesen DEN
8. Gunter Arndt GER
9. Terry Curtis GBR
10. Pawel Pawlacczyk

Lindharsten devant Radocy et Hanssonmild

Day 2 reflections

Thomas Hansson-Mild commented that he grew up in an OK Dinghy, so he is
pleased with his performance to date (two firsts and currently lying
second overall) - but there are still six races to go. Living in Umea,
1,100 km and a two day drive north of Kalmar, Thomas explained how he
is able to train when so far from the other OK Dinghies. "I do a lot
of cross-country skiing in winter as I have to wait for the ice
breakers to clear the sea before I can start sailing again, probably a
month after most have started to sail. There are plenty of icebergs to
dodge, but I just get used to it ! I am very fortunate that there is a
very narrow stretch of water between Sweden and Finland at Umea. Here
there are always big waves created by wind or current so I can
practise my reaching and downwind techniques. I am able to increase
my lead on Purdie on these legs. Fortunately Anders Widding has been
an excellent training partner this year so I can also practise
beating, though Purdie slowly reels me in on the beat. I have
copied Peter Milne who used a four purchase mainsheet in 1999, to
overcome my tennis elbow, it still, however gives me enough control
for downwind sailing. We are fortunate to have a coach and a support
boat this year, which has improved the confidence of the Swedish
sailors, knowing there is spare equipment available should we need it."

Hanssonmild terminant la 4e manche

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

Text : Mary Reddyhoff OKDIA
Photos : Marcus Wilhelmsson