Please select your home edition
Edition
CollinsonCo 728x90 TOP

International OK Dinghy christening in Thailand - Boat bailer blocked by Ice???

by Morten Jakobsen 4 Feb 20:48 NZDT
Admiring the elegant OK dinghy © Stefaan de Vos

After having been the only International OK dinghy in Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya, Thailand for many years, the sailor of THA444 decided it was time for a change. So he naturally bought a container full of almost new OK dinghies after the 2023 Worlds sailed in Lyme Regis in the UK and brought them all to Thailand.

To help re-introduce the class in RVYC, an OK Dinghy open day was arrange on 3 February. The day saw 10 sailors mostly new to the class on the water, where they received tips from Varuna head coach K. Lim, who is an olympian and formed medal winner in OK dinghy in the Asian games. Judging from the participants huge smiles, the day was an unqualified success.

The onwater activites were followed up with a boat christening in full accondance with the class traditions. K. Dao Schoeniche held a traditional speech and ensured the boat was wetted with a splash of champagne. Her wishes of luck should ensure that Hanuman XXXXI should have a successful racing career.

The christening was attended by 30-40 members and guests, and all knew afterwards what the "New" class was, the history in Thailand, and why the class is growing at an almost unprecedented rate worldwide. The key attributes are of course the ability to handle crew from 73-110 kg and compete on equal terms with careful selection of mast and sails. It also does no harm that all test pilots found it more comfortable to sail than the dinghy most had grown up with, and knowing they could continue to race with their old mates, as the OK is equal speed to an ILCA7.

The main problem on the day was that one OK's were struggling with having the bailers blocked by ice. This is perhaps also a club first, but with help of the members this problem was also sorted out.

Related Articles

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
2024 OK Dinghy Europeans at Palma opened
82 sailors from 14 nations complete registration for the event 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. Posted on 29 Oct
2024 OK Dinghy Europeans at Palma preview
The event will mark the first ever international OK Dinghy championship to be held in Spain The OK Dinghy European Championship is being held this coming week at the Real Club Nàutico de Palma. Nearly 80 sailors from 14 countries are expected to arrive in Palma in the coming days. Posted on 28 Oct
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px-02 BOTTOMCollinsonCo 728x90 BOTTOMLloyd Stevenson - Catalyst GT 1456x180px BOTTOM