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8 February 2006, 11:17 am

Testing Conditions On Day One

TOSHIBA OK Dinghy Australian And Interdominion Championships 2006

Lake Macquarie, Australia

The 2006 OK Dinghy Australian and Interdominion Championships got underway at Belmont 16ft Sailing Club on Lake Macquarie, Australia yesterday with two testing races sailed in 20-25 knots. The previous day's sea breeze and blue skies had vanished overnight with the arrival of a 40 knots southerly that sent several OKs sailing round the dinghy park on their own, but by the time the racing had started, it had moderated to a gusty 20 knots.

The entry includes 77 sailors from six nations.

Race one saw a good win for Russell WOOD (NZL). Rounding the first mark behind fellow Kiwi Mark PERROW, he showed superior upwind speed to win, followed by Roger BLASSE (AUS) and the current World Champion Nick CRAIG (GBR).

The second race was similar with a large shift at the start favouring those out of the pin. WOOD led round the first mark followed by CRAIG and PERROW. Eventually CRAIG and PERROW were battling for the lead with PERROW leading most of the way. At the end though, there was barely a boatlength in it with CRAIG taking the bullet. Karl PURDIE (NZL) sailed a great race to finish third.

The Championships continue until Friday, before the Toshiba World Championship starts next Monday.

Robert DEAVES (As Amended By ISAF). Image, 2005 World Champion Nick CRAIG got off to a strong start:© Per HEEGAARD/heegaardfotografi.dk