OK Open at Overy Staithe Sailing Club
by Andy Turner 1 Jul 18:44 NZST
29-30 June 2024
This year marked the 54th consecutive year that the OK Open has been sailed for the Richard Mason Trophy and tradition was turned somewhat on its head with the 'normal' early morning or early evening starts, which are normally a feature of racing at Overy, traded in for middle of the day racing for a change.
On Saturday Race Officer Andy Turner set a course inside the harbour. It was a beautiful sunny day with a force 2 north westerly. Pete Turner won the first race, showing impressive speed and good navigational skills having overtaken Bernard Clark who had the best start.
In the second race Pete and Rodney Tidd were both recalled at the start. Alex Scoles disappeared into the distance chased by Bernard with Pete pulling through the third in the tightest of finishes.
Sunday dawned drizzly and overcast with a force 3 northerly blowing which had kicked up quite a rough sea - interesting conditions for the fleet who were, for day two, sailing outside the harbour.
In race 3 Pete Turner led at the windward mark never to be headed with Duncan Ellis finally remembering how to sail an OK to finish second.
In race 4 Alex Scoles had to win with Pete finishing third or worse to retain the trophy he won last year. As it turned out Rodney Tidd had a miraculous first beat having been recalled at the start but pulling through to lead at the first mark. He was chased down by Pete with Alex Scoles, also recalled at the start, in third.
Pete Turner won overall, showing impressive speed in his newish Idol Composites boat, HD sail and C-Tech mast.
Thanks to Andy Turner for running two days of excellent racing, and to Paul Goakes, Ben Goakes and Julie Carroll for providing the safety boat cover.
Overall Results:
1st Pete Turner
2nd Alex Scoles
3rd Spike Turner
4th Rodney Tidd
5th Duncan Ellis
6th Bernard Clark
7th Dave Cooper
8th Simon Davis
9th Will Turner