Please select your home edition
Edition
Savvy Navvy 2024

First ever OK Dinghy major championship in Spain opened in Palma

by Robert Deaves 29 Oct 21:03 UTC 30 October - 3 November 2024
OK Dinghy Europeans Opening Ceremony © Robert Deaves / www.robertdeaves.uk

The OK Dinghy European Championship was opened in Palma Tuesday evening with 82 sailors from 14 nations completing registration. Hosted by the Real Club Nàutico de Palma, it will be the first ever international OK Dinghy championship to be held in Spain.

A few hardy souls ventured out for the practice race in 20-25 knots while many enjoyed the hospitality of the club ahead of what looks like a tough week ahead. Though a largely cloudy day temperature were in the mid 20s.

At the opening ceremony in the evening, the sailors were welcomed on behalf of the club by Hugo Ramon. He commented, "The OK Dinghy is a great example of how working together we can achieve great things. As board member it is a source of pride to see that adults have a category where they can compete on equal terms. Seeing the constant activity of the OK Dinghy is admirable and I would to thank Javier Estarellas, Luis Portella, and Mark Branagh whose passion has been responsible for the health of this class in Mallorca. We welcome you to our home and wish you an excellent regatta."

OKDIA President Mark Jackson, from Australia, responded by saying, "What a thrill it is to be here in Palma. It is a literally a bucket list venue for all of those of us who sail dinghies. I've always wanted to come and sail here and when the OKDIA Committee discussed coming here following the growth of the Spanish OK Dinghy class, when the opportunity arose to have a European Championship here, we said absolutely."

This event marks Jackson's final event as class President. He is retiring after seven and a half years in the role, one of the longest terms anyone has held the position of President.

He continued, "It's been an absolute privilege. I have seen the class change a lot in that time, with a lot of different people. It has been a wonderful journey from my perspective. We have a wonderful OKDIA Committee and I have been so lucky to work with them."

Jackson has led the class through some difficult years and led many tough decisions during the pandemic surrounding cancelling events. He has also been driving many of the current class initiatives to continue the growth and development of the class worldwide. On the water he has also achieved success with most recently an eighth place at the 2024 World Championship in Brisbane.

Vice President, Pontus Gäbel, from Sweden, will become the Acting President until the next AGM will elect a successor. He paid a heartfelt tribute to Jackson and made a presentation. "Thank you very much. It's fair to say over the last seven years, after taking over in Barbados, I know that we owe you much for your leadership especially through a few really difficult years. We have good press and have something to write about when we come off the water and you have been instrumental in that. So thank you for all the hard work and dedication you have given the class, from the OKDIA leadership team but also from all the sailors."

There is major excitement among the sailors in Palma for a great week of racing ahead. Early light wind forecasts have changed to moderate winds for most of the week. Racing begins on Wednesday 30 October and continues through to Sunday 3 November.

The 2024 OK Dinghy European Championship is being held at in Palma, Mallorca, hosted by tee al Club Nautico de Palma. Ten races are scheduled from 30 October to 3 November June. The fleet consists of 80 sailors from 14 nations.

Event website including results and notice board: www.regatas.eu/2024-okeuropeans

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
Maritimo 2023 M600 FOOTERSavvy Navvy 2024