Enthusiastic start to 2017 OK Dinghy Worlds

It was a fun and enthusiastic opening to the 2017 Ok Dinghy World Championships at the Barbados Yacht Club, which saw many a sailor – local and abroad – join together to start the competition with drinks, good food and laughter.

Welcoming the competitors and visiting nations to the championships, which is the first to be held in Barbados, President of the Barbados Sailing Association Gus Reader said that it was no easy task hosting such an event but Barbados was proud and very capable.

“The sailing community of Barbados is small but very generous and very committed to our sport. This is shown by the time, effort and boats volunteered for this World Championship event. We ask no more than for these World Championships leave a legacy to Barbados sailing, particularly to youth sailing.”

He thanked the government of Barbados along with the sponsors who helped make the event possible. The Barbados Yacht Club was also thanked with the local organizing committee for their assistance in planning the logistics. Finally he thanked the Ok Dinghy sailors and the Ok Dinghy International Association for choosing Barbados as the venue for their 60th Anniversary World Championship. The competition officially runs to May 31st and with the courses set out in Carlisle Bay.

The Commodores of the Barbados Yacht Club and the Barbados Cruising Club Geoffrey Evelyn and Bryn Palmer respectively both welcomed the competitors to the island and wished them the best on the Barbados pristine waters. Evelyn stated that he hoped that they would enjoy what the Yacht Club had to offer and have fun during their stay. He also said that he expected competitive sailing.

“You have come a long way to do some competitive sailing which you will get as I know all of you have come here to win. We have great conditions for you, usually the winds are strong but not too strong.”

Palmer welcomed the sailors and agreed with Reader that the competitors would enjoy the ‘Rum Punch’ sailing where the competition was not only fun but all natural like the local drink that some of the competitors had been recently introduced. He then told them that he hoped they would return to see more of the island beyond Carlisle Bay and to sail fast, sail safe and sail fair during the event.

The feature speaker was Minister of Tourism and International Transport Richard Sealy and he gave a rundown of the sailing accolades earned by Barbados throughout its sailing years. He drew reference to Barbados being a seafaring nation like most of the Caribbean islands and that he hoped that the youth of today would see the sport as worthwhile and it could grow bigger and wider over time.

He acknowledged the efforts of the various clubs involved in making the event possible including the President of the OKDiA (OK Dinghy International Association) Bo Teglers and said that he was happy that the word was out. What he meant was that it is now known that Barbados is serious about sailing.

“I think that the word is out that Barbados is serious about its sailing offering. It is serious about this element of Sport Tourism package which we have been offering to the world. It is indeed fitting that we are having in 2017 not one but two classes, the Ok Dinghys this week and the Finns next week.”

At the end of his address he opened the competition with a statement of “Let the real sailing begin.” Which was welcomed by all the competitors who hooted and cheered enthusiastically. (AS)