2020/21 International OK Dinghy Australian Championships cancelled

It is with great regret that I have to announce that the National Committee, in consultation with the Wangi Wangi organising committee, have decided to cancel this year’s National Championships.

Earlier this year we made a decision that the Nationals would only proceed if all members had the opportunity to compete unimpeded by State government travel restrictions relating to Covid-19 control measures. With the emerging Covid-19 cluster in Sydney over the last week, and increasingly stringent travel controls being implemented, we decided it was too risky to proceed because of the risk of further travel bans, for the health of our members and families and for that of the broader community.  

I would like to thank the NSW Association and the Wangi Wangi organising committee for the hard work they have put into organising the regatta to date – these things require a large amount of effort to pull together and this close to the regatta most of that has been done by now. The club will still proceed with a “not the Nationals” event with locals and maybe some Queenslanders intending to compete. For those who have entered and wish to cancel please advise Andrew Thyrd at nswokda@gmail.com of your intent. Andrew will organise refunds of entry fees at a later date.

We have decided that next year’s Nationals will be held in NSW. This seemed the right thing to do given the circumstances. The NSW Association will contact prospective host clubs and will announce a location and date early next year.

For those who still want to get out and race over the break there are local regattas to compete in:

Wangi Wangi – Not the Nationals, 3 – 8 January. https://www.revolutionise.com.au/oknsw/events/66084/ The locals are keen so get there if you can.

Black Rock Yacht Club - Xmas regatta, 28 - 30 December. https://www.bryc.com.au/news/2020xmas-regatta/ 

The cost is only $40 for BRYC Members & $60 for Non Members, so no excuses, register now.

Adelaide Sailing Club – Sail Adelaide, 3 - 6 January as part of the Harken Summer of Sail: https://www.sasummerofsail.com.au/sail-adelaide/ - all 8 SA boats intend to enter and there is at least one competitor from Victoria intending to compete as well.  

So despite the disappointment of not being able to gather at our Nationals this year to compete and socialise together there are still some opportunities to do so for us all. I hope some of you will still be able to go to Wangi, Black Rock or Adelaide, and in the meantime enjoy a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

Regards

David Ketteridge