Kiwi sailors running hot

BY JIM CHIPP - THE WELLINGTONIAN

Locals have dominated the opening of the OK dinghy racing leading up to the world championships.

After two days dogged by delays Paul Rhodes led both the open and veteran classes, and Wellingtonian Kagan Weeks led the juniors.

Day one was delayed by 30-knot winds and day two by lack of wind.

Event spokeswoman Mandy Burt said the regatta – the New Zealand OK national championships and the Australia-New Zealand interdominion championships – served as warm-up to the world championships.

"The local boys cleaned up," she said.

Racing ended on Tuesday with Wellingtonians in the first three places. Behind Rhodes were his Worser Bay clubmates Karl Purdie in second place and Steve McDowell, third. They were followed by Nick Craig of Great Britain, New Zealander Greg Wilcox and Thomas Hansson-Mild of Sweden.

Craig was world champion from 2005 until 2007 and Hansson-Mild is the reigning world champion. "At the moment the Aussies are not getting a look in," said Ms Burt.

A powhiri at Te Papa on Friday evening will formally begin the world championships and the first race will be on Saturday at 10.30am.

Depending on wind, the course will be either near Somes Island or at Evans Bay. Before and after racing the yachts can be viewed in the boat park at Te Papa.