Silver Medal for Purdie at OK Worlds

Karl Purdie of the Worser Bay Boating Club has taken the silver medal at the 2009 OK Dinghy World Championships just concluded in Kalmar, Sweden. The Wellingtonian was just one point off defending his 2008 World Title.

Fellow kiwi, Greg Wilcox finished the regatta in 5th place. 72 boats were competing.

Purdie led the fleet for much of the regatta, but Thomas Hansson-Mild (SWE) sailing on home waters, was always within close range, threatening the defending champ for the top spot. Overtaking Purdie on the leader board on the penultimate day, but sitting on equal points it was all on for the final day of racing which has just wrapped up.

Hansson-Mild managed a 2nd and 3rd place in the final two races, while Purdie was 4th and then 2nd, putting him one point adrift of the Swede who claimed victory. This is Hansson-Mild’s first World Championship; after competing in fourteen, his best result was 3rd in 2001.
New Zealand’s Final Results

2nd Karl Purdie
5th Greg Wilcox
57th Julian Bishop