Turangi 2024 will go down in the history books as one of the most memorable  ever.  Even if the fire and police could not find an excuse to join in! 

 

The collection of new faces to the class, along with the old guard, set the scene for a student/mentor learning environment of OK sailing.  All the note books were open at Turangi University.  The fastest learner was Ian from Waitara, who struggled to find form on Saturday to leading much of the last race after finding new upwind speed from his learnings before even leaving the beach.   

 

Highlight of the regatta, and the stuff that legends are made of, was Oscar winning the Tiki on Saturday.  Just the night before he was whinging that in the almost four decades he has been in the class he has NEVER won the Tiki…and now he was feeling too old so his chances were gone.  Rounding the top mark of the last race well in the back of the fleet, things were looking bleak once again for Team Oscar.  Best pop open a beer, relax and have a rethink.  The question is:  because of, or inspite of the beer, did Oscar go from last to first and go on to win his first Tiki? 

 

 

 

Adrian Coulthard, winner of the Sunday Tiki, brought an old Zephyr to the regatta that he intends to restore.  This begs the question:  Why, oh why, would you bring a wood Zephyr to the OK Dinghy regatta in Turangi unless you wanted to provide another chapter in the OK mob’s book?  Alas, no harm came to the zimmer frame.  

Huge thanks to Wally and his team, who make it all happen both on and off the water.  The BBQ and banter are what make this regatta a must do.  Five races on Saturday and three quick races Sunday and everyone on the road by 2:00pm.  

 

Oh the overall results - Steve won, in a convincing matter.  New to the class Dave Ridley was second and I was third.  

Next Year we will be going for 20+ boats! 

 

Coach