Karl Purdie (NZL). Supplied image.
by Robert Deaves
Despite failing to win the recent Interdominion title in Melbourne last month, reigning world champion Karl Purdie (NZL) has retaken the lead at the top of the OK Dinghy World Ranking list and in doing so becomes only the third person in the history of the class ever to each the magic 1,000 points. The others are Nick Craig (GBR) and Jorgen Lindhardtsen (DEN).
Purdie finished second in the Interdominions to the up and coming young Kiwi sailor Brad Douglas (NZL), who moves up to eighth. The Kiwis figured well at that event and as such, the latest release includes no less than six Kiwis in the top 10. This release also includes the 2011 New Zealand Nationals, won by Purdie and the 2011 Australian Nationals, won by Mike Williams (AUS).
Coming off the back of a New Zealand worlds last year in Wellington, New Zealand and Australian feature highly in the top 20 and this means their regattas this year were also high scoring for the purposes of the ranking list (fleet quality is a factor in the points gained), which will keep them there for a while longer. However, with a small Kiwi team at the World Championships in Scotland this year, many Kiwis will drop out of the top 20 and the field will become more even.
Having said that the Interdominions last month contained one of the highest quality fields in recent years. Out of the top 11 sailors, there were no less than 11 World Championship medals, 18 national titles and 11 Interdominion titles.
The focus now moves to Europe with the Spring Cup being sailed at Medemblik this weekend, before events in Kiel, Warnemünde and the round of national championships this summer.
OK Dinghy World Ranking List - May 2011
[Top 20 out of 410 boats]
Pos Name Nation Points Events
1 Karl Purdie NZL 1001.91 7
2 Greg Wilcox NZL 914.04 12
3 Nick Craig GBR 877.92 7
4 Terry Curtis GBR 869.29 10
5 Paul Rhodes NZL 826.52 5
6 Ben Morrison NZL 812.59 5
7 Andre Blassé AUS 810.51 7
8 Brad Douglas NZL 809.33 5
9 Thomas Hanson-Mild SWE 799.30 7
10 Luke O'Connell NZL 789.76 5
11 Mike Williams AUS 779.43 6
12 Jorgen Svendsen DEN 743.57 8
13 Alistair Deaves NZL 739.11 6
14 Sonke Behrens GER 726.97 9
15 Matt Steven NZL 699.98 4
16 Tomasz Gaj POL 696.38 11
17 Jorgen Lindhartdsen DEN 687.07 12
18 Steve McDowell NZL 676.42 4
19 Roger Blassé AUS 669.40 4
20 Christian Hedlund DEN 638.73 18
OK Dinghy International Association
