OK World Championships 2023 as Lyme Regis gears up to host event

 

From Sunday, June 25 to Friday, June 30, some 150 competitors from 13 countries, with at least seven national and world champions, will take part.

Local interest will be focused on Chis Turner, a Lyme boy and top sailor, along with Tom Rawlings, a 15-year-old youth member, plus OK sailor Nigel King who has recently joined the club.

Racing will take place one to two miles offshore, run from a Committee boat, LRSC will be the onshore hub.

Four years in the planning, event chairman David Beer has held many meetings with the OK Association in the UK and race officer Allan Tyler, who will be in charge during racing, is currently finalising sailing instructions.

“We are experienced at running major national and European championships but have never done a worlds,” Beer said.

“A lot of planning is going into this event, working closely with our partners Lyme Harbour and local harbour users.

“Our team of around 100 club members will be gearing up with practices over the next couple of weeks, working on logistics with our harbour master James Radcliffe and fishermen, using local businesses as much as we can.

One hundred and fifty sailors from as far away as Australasia and Canada will be arriving from 12 June, with some from the UK already rocking up for practice sessions.

Beer has vice-chairman Tony Fastnedge working alongside him and his key organising team.

Tyler will have 20 course management boats at sea, including eight dedicated safety RHIBs led by Jim Thomas.

On shore, beachmaster Jane Whittington and her crew will deal with berthing, launching and recovery of the huge fleet.

On standby for major incidents, former lifeboat station LOM Nick Marks, is also part of the team. Harbourmaster Radcliffe, with deputy Phil Wright, will be on duty and take part in daily briefings.

“We’re getting great support from the locals, Dorset harbours, major sponsors Ovington Boats and Pro-set and a host of others," added Beer.

“We hope to minimise difficulties for other harbour users during this week and to maximise the benefit to our harbour and the town. Very recent sponsors are Lyme Regis Town Council.