Australian Roger Blasse secured the 2013 Singha OK Dinghy World Championship title in Pattaya last week after placing second in the only race sailed on the final day, Friday, April 5. Britain’s Nick Craig took the overall silver while Blasse’s compatriot Mike Williams received the bronze. The final race was won by defending champion Andre Budzien from Germany while each race day seemed to provide a different face on the top podium step.
“Of course I am really happy to win, but this week has really shown how competitive the OK fleet has become,” said a delighted Blasse during the final day trophy presentations.
Jorgen Svendsen (left) receives the perpetual Pattaya Mail PC Classic trophy from Peter Cummins (center) and Ib Ottesen of Jomtien Boathouse (right).
The week-long (March 31 – April 5) OK World Championship, held for the first time in Thailand at Pattaya’s Royal Varuna Yacht Club, was blessed with truly outstanding weather and sailing conditions, which when combined with the superb location, facilities and services offered at Varuna, was sure to have left a positive and lasting impression on all 74 competitors from the nine countries who took part in the event. Indeed, there was a genuine feeling that the sailors wanted to return to Pattaya in the not too distant future for another championship.
OK Dinghy’s race downwind during the 16th Pattaya Mail PC Classic.
“So many of us regretted missing the warm sailing of Goa in 2003,” said New Zealander Mike Wilde, Vice-President of OKDIA. “The historical interest and involvement of HM the King and OK Dinghy sailing in Thailand led us to this point where we are competing in what seems to me can only be described as a sailor’s Nirvana.”
Coinciding with the OK Dinghy championship was the 16th edition of the recently revived Pattaya Mail PC Classic, celebrating the birthday of Peter Cummins, a veritable bastion of the maritime scene in Thailand and one of the region’s most respected sailing and yachting journalists.
The (not so) ancient mariner recounts past tales of derring-do to the enthralled sailors and guests at Varuna.
The PC Classic was the highlight of Day 5 of the OK Dinghy Worlds and took place on Thursday, April 4, with the overall winner of the 2 races held that day being presented with the perpetual PC Classic trophy, albeit for just a few brief moments before it was placed back into careful storage until next year. The top 10 winners on the day did however receive replicas of the unique Tasmanian shaped plaque to mark their achievements on the day.
A marching band plays a birthday tribute to Peter Cummins at the Royal Varuna clubhouse.
As for Mr. Cummins himself, in his heyday no slouch at handing an OK Dinghy, on this occasion he chose (for once) to let sense prevail over valour as he allowed the ‘young guns’ to have their own spot in the limelight, contenting himself to take a backseat perch close to the club bar – a perfect vantage point from which to view the action.
Out on the water, providence dictated that this special race day would be marked with strongest winds of the week, up to 18-20 knots, with bigger waves making the downwind lots of fun for the sailors, though the wind eased during the second race to 12-14 knots.
Roger Blasse (center) of Australia holds the OK Dinghy world championship trophy flanked by second placed Nick Craig (left) and third placed Mike Williams. (Photo courtesy OKDIA)
The day afloat began with some spectacular launching through heavy surf that had built as a result of the strengthening wind, and without the help of the club’s boatmen this would have been an impossible task.
Once out to sea, defending world champion Andre Budzien took an early lead in the first race of the day and maintained his advantage to the finish line. Denmark’s Bo Pettersen spent most of the race in second as did his fellow countryman Jorgen Svendsen in third. Championship leader Roger Blasse crossed in fifth behind Nick Craig, while Blasse’s main competition Mike Williams of Australia was struggling way back in 50th after his rudder fell off.
Williams returned to take control of the day’s second race, leading Budzien into the top mark and he sailed away to win his third race of the week. Blasse rounded further back but fought through to the front and it was here while he was fighting hard downwind with Budzien that the German got a second yellow flag from the jury and had to retire from the race, effectively ending his OK title challenge for this year.
Blasse couldn’t catch Williams but crossed second while Svendsen picked up his second third place of the day to become the day’s overall winner and recipient of the PC Classic trophy. Roger Blasse took second place over the 2 races while Nick Craig placed third.
Back on dry land, a marching band struck up a familiar birthday refrain to celebrate PC’s numerically uncertain anniversary, while the returning OK sailors, after picking up their complimentary PC Classic T-shirts, were treated to a superb buffet with accompanying beer and wine, provided courtesy of the Pattaya Mail and the day’s other generous sponsors.
As always, an event such as the annual PC Classic can’t take place without the backing of sponsorship and those on board this year included the Pattaya Mail Media Group, Bakri Cono Shipyard, Pattaya Self Storage (PSS), BBX Thailand, Norwegian Properties Group, ASAP Marine Trading, Jomtien Boathouse, SKAL Eastern Seaboard and the Singha Beer Corporation.
Happy to be sailing the warm waters of the Gulf.
Proceeds from the 2013 Pattaya Mail PC Classic will be used to support an education fund for underprivileged children in the community.
So, whilst the plaudits on PC Classic day went to Denmark’s Jorgen Svendsen, fittingly in a way as the OK Dinghy originates from that particular north European country, we shall leave the final words to Aussie Roger Blasse, the most consistent sailor of the week and winner of his second world title 15 years after securing his first. In parting he paid a glowing tribute to the Royal Varuna club, its staff and the event’s supporters. “This club is a hidden gem and it’s been an absolutely fantastic week here for everyone taking part,” said the new world champ!
Preparing for launch on PC Classic Day.
New world champion Roger Blasse (749) jostles for position at the start line.
OK Dinghy’s in action during the 2013 World Championship in Pattaya.
An OK Dinghy prepares to tack around a marker buoy.
