About the OK dinghy in New Zealand

Wellington 8. May 2006
OKs upwind at the Nationals 2006

At the Nationals 2006

The international OK Dinghy is a 4 metre single-handed racing yacht, which has enjoyed strong international competition for many years. Countries currently involved in the class are Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, India, Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, Thailand and the United States. The attraction of the OK is that it is in a truly international class, providing high-level competition and the opportunity for yachtsmen to compete in an annual Wolrd championship, held in a different country each year.
All competitors must qualify to compete in the Worlds, entry to which is limited to 80 boats, plus the reigning World Champion. This ensures competition at the highest level.
Most of the sailors in the OK fleet have raced many different classes of international/Olympic class dinghies, keel boats even Volvo open 70’s and Americas cup class yachts!

The OK Dinghy allowed Carbon Fibre masts to be used for the first time in the 2003/2004 season, this has seen a large jump in performance while making the boats easier to sail.

The OK allows the skipper to have a mast and sail designed and built to their weight and sailing style, this gives almost anyone the opportunity no matter there size to be at the front of the fleet (unlike a type forming boat such as a Laser), this has lead to even closer racing over a wide wind range that is just not possible with a normal “one design”.

Reaching at the worlds 2006

World Championship 2006

The OK currently enjoys a strong reputation in New Zealand, being one of our strongest fleets, and probably our most successful international fleet. The real attraction is that sailors who wish to pursue their professional careers can compete at a truly world class level while still remaining amateur.

The racing is extremely competitive amongst the New Zealand fleet however information is freely shared by competing skippers enabling the level of the fleet as a whole to be lifted, we also know how to have a good time and have a number of “interesting” trophies given out at each regatta which most OK sailors have managed to own at some stage in their career, two of these trophies are; “The golden Harpoon” and the “Tiki”...

There are three major strongholds for the class in New Zealand, these are Wellington, Napier and Auckland, smaller fleets are also in action in the south island.

The class has recently introduced a ranking list system with a number of regattas around the country; this ensures we have regular racing to help maintain New Zealand’s international success while also promoting the class around the country. Another benefit of this series is that it provides new entrants into the OK something to strive for while the learning the “in’s” and “out’s” of the OK dinghy, the inaugural year of this series was won by 2002 World champion Gerg Wilcox.
If you would like to join in the action, have top international and local competition, meet new people and have a good time then the OK Dinghy is for you!! Contact us today, come see the action and go for a sail.

Success

New Zealand OK World Champions

Top 10 World Championship Finishes for New Zealand