OK Dinghy Magazine January 2024

THE INTERVIEW - HENRY WETHERELL AND JENS ECKARDT
to match my Ceilidh mast. I used one
standard sail throughout the regatta, and it
worked well as it was easy to trim for the
conditions. There is always a risk when
trying to use two different sails and getting
caught out when the conditions do not
develop as you forecasted.
JENS: I have a very standard Strandberg
Mark II. I went with the standard setup that
Jesper suggested, and it worked well. I sail
with a C-Tech mast and use Green sails,
a combination that suits me. It’s a bonus
to have the sailmaker and the boat builder
close by when you need help.
Jens, what are you planning for the 2024
season?
The Europeans in Mallorca is the goal and the season finale.
It’s good to have it late in the season, I believe this is a good
way of making the racing season longer and allow for good
local and national racing to build up to the Europeans.
You have sailed many different dinghies, what do you find
intriguing about the OK?
HENRY: The OK is a mix of the Finn and the Laser. It’s a lot
lighter than the Finn and it is twitchier and more sensitive
to weight and how you position yourself in the boat. It’s
especially noticeable when you get into the boat from the
slipway. It so much more like the Laser. It also has all the sail
controls from the Finn, which makes it very tuneable.
JENS: For me it is not about the boat, it is more about that
I can sail with all my friends in my home club and have fun.
The boat is secondary, but of course the OK Dinghy is a good
boat to sail and race. It can be tailored to the sailor, and you
can make it personal.
How do we attract more sailors like you?
HENRY: Social media is key. Robert Deaves takes good
pictures, writes good stories, and uses social media to
showcase that there are good sailors at the events. I’m sure
more will join because it’s a competitive class, with good races
in attractive venues. I have many Finn friends asking questions
about the boat. I believe there is potential for more than 200
boats at the Worlds on Lake Garda in 2025. I plan to get my
own OK for the 2025 season and prepare for the Worlds.
JENS: Communication and social media – the more the
better. It attracts the younger crowd. Show that sailing
is fun and that you can win regattas with many different
combinations of boats, sails, and masts. Look at the top
10 finishers gear at last year’s Worlds and you will see how
diverse the choices are. It is a big positive for the class.
Why are there are so many good OK sailors in England and
Denmark?
HENRY: We have a rich history in the Finn, that helps. We
have good growth on the local events and many of the top
sailors show up. Jim Hunt and Nick Craig are always happy
to share their knowledge and help new sailors get going.
Many of the sailors are active in many other classes. Time
on the water will help, no matter what boat it is. Sailing
should be fun.
JENS: The OK is a Danish boat. It is a bonus is that the
dinghy was designed in 1957 by the Dane Knud Olsen.
Besides, we have a big OK fleet, which attracts up to 100
boats on the starting line at the Danish Championships. The
base is built in the local fleets and clubs
where you often see more than 20 boats
on a weekday evening race. We have a
good base and a very competitive top.
END NOTE
The 2023 OK Dinghy Worlds
showcased the competitive spirit and
the camaraderie among sailors the OK
class has become known for. Young
Henry Wetherell’s triumph and veteran
Jens Eckardt’s return to international
competition after a 20-year break
underscored the attractiveness of the
class for sailors at different ages and
stages of their careers. With these
insights, the OK Dinghy class will
continue to grow. And with the positive
spirit of the class, a fleet of 200 boats on
Lago di Garda at the 2025 Worlds is well
within reach.
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OK DINGHY INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE