Triangle Trophy 2017
I have been asked to write a few lines about the Triangle series of races and how it came about. Firstly I want to say that one of the many things that attracted me to the OK Dinghy is the International status. I have been lucky enough to have sailed the OK on and off for many years and Maureen and I have travelled to many locations throughout the World. Maureen often informs me she has been to visit many sights and, when I ask, when did you go there? she reminds me that most of my overseas visits usually only consist of visiting sailing clubs. She could have a point.
I have sailed at the Dutch event in Medemblik many times and the location has always been very enjoyable we both have good memories of the place. We also love France and when we got the opportunity to sail in the French Northern Championship at the Lac Du Der in 2016 we jumped with both feet. The event did not let us down and was really well run, the French hospitality was outstanding. The location is very beautiful and offers something for everybody.
Some of you will now know that 2017 will be the OK’s 60th Anniversary and we will be celebrating the occasion at the Herne Bay Nationals. It was with this celebration in mind, amongst other things, that I thought up the idea of the Triangle Series. If we could attract our European counterparts to UK shores that would be good and also boost our entry.
The class also has its 2017 World Championships in Barbados and although it certainly sound like a fantastic thing to do the event is not to everybody’s liking or pocket. Later in the year the European Championships are to be held in northern Denmark, this will I am sure be a very well run Championships, the Danes know how to put on great racing and socials.
So back to the series and taking these thoughts into account, why not use the boat as it was designed, to sail internationally, and combine a 3 races series of Medemblik, Lac Du Der and the UK Nationals. This would work so well for the event with the easy access from across the water and many of us attend the Medemblik event and I have been promoting the French event as one to go to. So for me it was something we needed to do.
I have bought the Trophy which we think is very nice and worth winning, it will be a keeper, the winner keeps the trophy. Maureen has some ideas for those people who complete the series but not lucky enough to win it. You will have to wait and see, the prizes will of course be awarded at the Nationals
To qualify for the series, you must attend all 3 events; the best 5 results from each event will be counters, so 15 results to count.
Please see the link for the English publication PDF
plus a link
for the French sailing club’s website where the Entry Form and other information can be found.
- It should be noted the club needs the Entry Form filled in before the event. Once registered the club will send out conformation and documentation for booking meals and accommodation if required. It also asks for the entry fee to be paid. I have agreed this can be paid when we arrive. ( I have the letter from the club stating this fact)
Early interest from across the water looks good and their respective websites are actively advertising the series. There are posts on the forum with more details but if you need more info do not hesitate to contact me. Although this is a one-off event for 2017 there is nothing to stop it being repeated in 2018 with a different venue in the UK .
Ken Carroll GBR46
