Youth wins over experience as Bartosz Rakocy takes OK Europeans
Robert Deaves, IFA
Posted: 31 Jul. 2010
Tim Goodbody, winner Bartosz Rakocy and Jørgen Lindhardtsen on the podium - Norbert Petraucsh pic
The final day at the OK Dinghy Europeans at Medemblik, Netherlands brought sunny skies and high temperatures, but more of the same shifty, tricky winds that have plagued the week, but it did not get the better of Bartosz Rakocy (POL), whose fifth place in Race 9 gave him the title – with a race to spare.
Tim Goodbody from Ireland finished second overall, while Denmark’s Jorgen Lindardtsen, the older of the three podium finishers, took third.
In race nine the shifty conditions continued but the duration of the big shifts was shorter so there was usually a way back. At the top mark Lindhardtsen led from Rene Johannsen (DEN) and Robert Deaves (GBR).
Lindhardtsen and Johannsen took off and built a large lead before Goodbody found his way past into second. A fifth place for regatta leader Rakocy was enough to take the title with a race to spare.
Race 10 was sailed in similar conditions with Pawel Pawlaczyk (POL) leading round the top mark from Deaves and Oliver Gronholz (GER). The wind died on the first reach allowing the chasing pack to catch up, and after a few patchy, shifty beats, Gronholz emerged as the race winner from Goodbody and Pawlaczyk.
While two second places secured the silver medal for Goodbody, a 1-4 for Lindhardtsen moved him up one place to third. Second overnight, Greg Wilcox (NZL), had poor first beats and could only manage to finish 6-8, so dropped to fourth overall.
In winning his first major title, Rokocy said, "It's a very nice feeling and I very happy to win this regatta. It was very hard to win, but Tim and Jorgen has OCS which really helped me. They are really good sailors, so it's very special to win here."
Rokocy is just 20 years old and has been sailing the OK Dinghy for a number of years. "I need more power. I am only 82 kilos, so it is hard to sail against 90 kg sailors. I still have bit to learn upwind, but downwind I was fast.
"Now I have a week off and then I am sailing the Laser Youth World Championship at Hayling Island, in the UK. When I get heavier I will go for the Finn in maybe one or two years,” Rakocy said.
“I also plan to defend the OK National title in Poland later this year. Next year I am planning to sail OK as well including the worlds in Largs and Kiel week. It's a great class to be involved in."
As usual, the excellent Medemblik hospitality and slick race management made the event one to remember. With several free beer nights at the Brakeboer, all the sailors enjoyed the Championship on and off the water.
Medemblik is a regular venue for the OK Dinghy class who love coming back here, and they will surely be back for more in the near future.
Final results after 10 races:
1 POL 19 Bartosz Rakocy 36
2 IRL 10 Tim Goodbody 39,
3 DEN 1364 Jørgen Lindhardtsen 44
4 NZL 522 Greg Wilcox 48
5 GBR 2118 Terry Curtis 75
6 GER 717 Oliver Gronholz 85
7 POL 14 Pawel Pawlaczyk 85
8 GER 693 Martin von Zimmermann 86
9 DEN 3 Jørgen Svendsen 108
10 GER 731 Thomas Glas 11313,0 13 30 1 9 14 6 19 (31) 11 10
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