Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S600 LEADERBOARD

No let up for the Australian OK Dinghy Class - looking toward to 2025

by Mike Williams 22 Oct 05:00 UTC
David Clark, 2024 Australian OK Dinghy Champion © Robert Deaves / www.robertdeaves.uk

Under normal cycles, you would think coming off the back of a home World Championship in Australia, there might be a lull in the OK dinghy class. But now, there is a carrot being dangled - to sail the next worlds at Riva Del Garda, Italy in 2025.

The chance to sail in the revered Ora winds of Lake Garda is too appealing for many. There is the likelihood of Australia sending three containers with up to 30 boats from Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide, with the Aussie contingent keen to participate in what is expected to be the biggest OK Dinghy Worlds to date, with over 200 entries expected at Lake Garda.

So, there is no let up in the local Australian fleets, with anticipation building for a strong field at the 2025 Australian OK dinghy Championships being hosted by Black Rock Yacht Club on Port Phillip.

Southerly Sea breezes are always anticipated during the height of summer, when the Nationals are being held from Saturday 4th Jan - Tuesday 7th Jan, 2025. Racing is scheduled to start at 2pm daily, right when the sea breeze kicks in, with 8 races scheduled over the 4 days. Entry is $320, with a discounted fee of $160 being offered to encourage Under 23 participation. Additional support for U23's can also be applied for through the Clive Roberts Trust, which supports junior sailors of the OK Dinghy class in Australia.

Black Rock has always been a stronghold for the OK class in Victoria, with plenty of Australian Champions calling Black Rock home, including dual World Champion Roger Blassé and multiple Australian title holders Mark Jackson and Andre Blassé who are hoping to attend.

Interstate travellers are already lining up including entries from Anthony Galante and Brendon Green, leading the entries from Perth. Additionally, Glenn and Brent Williams from Adelaide who are currently competing in the European Championships in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, along with Roger Blassé and Mark Jackson, are also planning to attend.

David Clark, the current OK Dinghy Australian Champion from the Brisbane Nationals, says he can't wait to sail at Black Rock YC again. A member of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, and training out of Woollahra SC, he is keen to get his training group including Ben Sharp, Rob McMillan and Brett Morris back out on the water. He sailed at Black Rock for the 23/24 Victorian championships in the lead up to the Brisbane worlds, and now describes sailing on Port Phillip as "My new favourite sailing venue - big sea breezes and big waves. I can't wait to get back there. I have been working on my hiking fitness over winter and have now got the boat back at the Club. I am looking forward to being back training on the water"

Entries and the Notice of Race are available through the Black Rock Yacht Club website here, and close on the 15th December 2024.

Further information on the Clive Roberts Trust here for assistance to U23 sailors.

Related Articles

P&B OK Dinghy End of Season Championships
20 boats gathered at Northampton SC, and avoided the rain somehow 20 boats gathered at Northampton Sailing Club over the weekend of 16th - 17th November to see off the season in style at the Pinnell and Bax OK Dinghy End of Season Championships. The fleet was blessed with some perfect Autumnal weather. Posted on 21 Nov
A new OK Dinghy World No. 1
Former World Champion Roger Blasse from Australia For the first time ever the former two time OK Dinghy world champion, Roger Blasse, from Australia, is the OK Dinghy World No.1. He moves up seven places in the final World Ranking List of 2024 to take the top spot for the first time. Posted on 19 Nov
New British OK Dinghy Ranking System
With a view to maximising attendance at key event for the 2025 season With the OK End of Season Championships (kindly sponsored by P&B) coming up, the British Class Association has been putting plans together with a view to maximising attendance at key event for the 2025 season. Posted on 12 Nov
2024 OK Dinghy Europeans at Palma overall
Luke Deegan becomes first non-European OK Dinghy European Champion Luke Deegan, from New Zealand has won the 2024 OK Dinghy European Championship in Palma after a shortened week of challenging conditions with only four races completed. Posted on 4 Nov
Affordable Precision: How Atto Changes the Game
Weighing just 75g and capable of measuring 250 kg working load Digitalisation has changed sailing. Technologies once reserved for Grand-Prix are permeating every level of the sport, giving sailors the ability to adopt elite racing and training practices - elevating the game across the board. Posted on 4 Nov
2024 OK Dinghy Europeans at Palma Day 4
Luke Deegan takes lead after one more race held on Saturday Luke Deegan, from New Zealand has taken the lead at the 2024 OK Dinghy European Championship in Palma after just one more race was sailed on Saturday. Overall, Britain's Charlie Cumbley dropped to second while Sweden's Niklas Edler climbed to third. Posted on 2 Nov
2024 OK Dinghy Europeans at Palma Day 3
With an orange weather alert in place, no racing was possible With an orange weather alert in place, no racing was possible on the third day of the OK Dinghy Europeans in Palma. Posted on 2 Nov
Single Handed Regatta at Big River Sailing Club
The regatta at Clarence River at Harwood attracted 62 entrants Tucked away in the cane fields on the northern bank of the Clarence River at Harwood, Northern NSW, lies the beautifully groomed parkland and grounds of the Big River Sailing Club. Posted on 1 Nov
2024 OK Dinghy Europeans at Palma Day 2
Three races, three winners Charlie Cumbley, from Britain, leads the OK Dinghy European Championship in Palma after the first three races were sailed on Thursday in Palma Bay. Luke Deegan, from New Zealand, is second, on equal points with Britain's Matt Howard. Posted on 1 Nov
2024 OK Dinghy Europeans at Palma Day 1
Get set, ready... wait Despite a forecast for good wind, the first day of the OK Dinghy European Championship in Palma was abandoned late afternoon with not enough wind to run racing. Posted on 31 Oct
Savvy Navvy 2024Maritimo 2023 M600 FOOTER