Charlie Cumbley, from Britain, has consolidated his lead on the third day of the 2022 OK Dinghy World Championship in Marstrand, Sweden, to take a three point lead at the top from Sweden’s Thomas Hansson-Mild, with Norway’s Lars Johan Brodtkorb, one point further back.
Two races in a building breeze and clearing skies were the perfect antidote after a great championship dinner the night before and a few dusty heads. Race 5 was started in cloudy conditions and 7-10 knots, before the skies cleared leaving a solid 10-14 knots, nice waves and superb sailing.
With the adverse current both starts got away first time, though the left was the way to go again, although there was still some right in it at times. Budzien owned the left in race 5, with a great start and was clear ahead, controlling the fleet well to build a good lead, though Cumbley ate into it on the last upwind to cross second with Jens Eckardt, from Denmark, in third. In other news, Hansson-Mild picked up a UFD in race 5.
The start was very tricky for race 6 with the current at the pin catching out a few. However, Edler emerged from the commotion to round first and extend away downwind. He was chased hard by Brodtkorb, Cumbley, Hansson-Mid and Eckardt, finishing in that order. The wind increased for some amazing sailing conditions with some great waves and sunshine and a lot of smiling, happy faces.
Three time world champion, Budzien, said, “The sun is shining, the wind was medium in the first race but more in the second. Great sailing conditions with a lot of current and the start was very important. My first start was really good and I managed to get the race win.
“The second start was really difficult with a lot of boats to leeward and my start was not so good but in the end I was top 10 so I am happy with the day and hope we have two more days like this.”
Edler explained, “It’s quite hard out there. It’s all about the start, clear air and a lot of speed and then you might win the race. But I am struggling a lot as it’s very hard when you always have to go to the left side. But it was a fun race today, with good conditions. I loving it.”
On the strategy today, “It’s always OK to be on the left, especially on the second half of the upwind. It’s very hard to come from the right. Sometimes you can come from the right on the first upwind, but not the corner, and up to finish the last 500 maters from the right is very hard.”
On racing in this fleet, “It’s very hard though the whole fleet especially the top 10 to 15. In the first race I was maybe 15th after the first upwind and it’s really hard to gain any boats because everyone has good speed and sailing really well.”
He concluded, “This is my first worlds in the OK Dinghy and I am really enjoying it so I will keep my boat and if I have the opportunity to go for more events I will for sure.”
There are just four races left in this championship. Cumbley has eked out a three point lead, though the top four are extending away from the rest of the fleet. Cumbley had the best of the day with a 2,3 followed by Brodtkorb, Budzien and Eckardt all, picking up eight points. The next few races will be crucial to see who has what it takes to lift the title.
Racing continues Thursday with two more races scheduled. The championship concludes Friday.
Results after 6 races
1 GBR 6 Charlie Cumbley 10
2 SWE 100 Thomas Hansson-Mild 13
3 NOR 428 Lars Johan Brodtkorb 14
4 SWE 71 Niklas Edler 20.6
5 DEN 12 Jens Eckardt 28
6 GER 71 André Budzien 29
7 SWE 666 Jonas Qvist 30
8 SWE 797 Mats Caap 42
9 FRA 75 Laurent Hay 49
10 SWE 24 Daniel Björndahl 52
Full results here: http://2022.okworlds.org/
Full gallery here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/okdia/
