Tightrope finish for 2009 OK Australian title

9:13 AM Sun 4 Jan 2009 GMT

A tightrope finish in the 2009 Australian OK titles kept everyone guessing after the finish line to who had actually won.

Going into the last race NSW sailor Peter Horne sailing AUS 733 held a narrow lead of three points over VIC sailor Andre Blasse in AUS 729.

With a shifty southeast breeze presenting headaches and opportunities for the fleet.

Andre under pressure to beat Peter by three places responded accordingly rounding fifth at the top mark, Andre continued on his persistent drive to the front catching NSW sailor Peter Robinson Aus 736 in the last tack to win the race. This left a nervous wait as Peter Horne fought his way to the finish line, Mike Williams Aus 730 from VIC was to be the nemesis finishing third just in front of Peter Horne in fourth place.

This resulted in a tiebreak for the Championship and Giving the Title to Andre Blasse AUS 729 on a count back. A consistent Peter Horne was second and an unlucky Mike Williams third.

Mike had three race wins but an unlucky capsize on the finish line in race 2 cost him any chance of the title.

A fleet of 37 boats contested the regatta at Sunshine on the waters of Lake Macquarie. Five juniors competed with David O'Donnell Aus 695 winning the Junior title and local Wangi sailor Frank Prater Aus 679, awarded the prestigious Handicap title.

Several sailors in the fleet had impressive results; Peter Robinson had his best finish in the OK's for fifth and ex-laser sailor Joel Skelton in his first OK title took eighth. Eddie O'Donnell was ninth.

TOP TEN RESULTS

Place Sail# Boat Name Skipper Crew Points Points w/Drop Heat 1 Heat 2 Heat 3 Heat 4 Heat 5 Heat 6 Heat 7

1 AUS 729 Knot 4 Sail Andre Blasse - 20 13 7 4 1 4 1 2 1
2 AUS 733 Another Crack Peter Horne - 23 13 2 2 2 10 2 1 4
3 AUS 730 Time Machine Mike Williams - 31 20 1 1 5 1 9 11 3
4 AUS 735 Virgin on Ridiculous Rob Davis - 47 31 3 5 3 16 6 3 11
5 AUS 688 Shakey Peter Robinson - 48 34 4 10 4 5 14 9 2
6 AUS 732 Dune Buggy Time Davies - 46 34 6 3 12 6 4 6 9
7 AUS 728 Bowfinger Bruce Ashton - 76 38 8 38 9 2 8 4 7
8 AUS 646 The Phantom Joel Skelton - 62 46 16 7 14 12 3 5 5
9 AUS 734 Cracked Pecker Eddie O'Donnell - 70 51 14 6 8 3 10 10 19
10 AUS 722 Jesus Built My Hotrod Paul Foster - 69 51 5 13 6 9 18 8 10

Full results www.ok.yachting.org.au/

by Peter Lynch

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