Thread: OZ Racer Wins World Championship, Again

As told by Scott Widmier on PDRacer.com: [edited for brevity]

"There were many wonderful boats to look at on that sandy beach in Oklahoma. Some of my favorites included an electric tug boat, a beautiful strip built Toto trimaran conversion, the first Goat Island skiff I had ever seen, an elegant Pathfinder, and a neat little Skat Cat with a cubby cabin."

[First race]
"I was registered as a DNS (did not start) though now I realized I did start so should have been a DNF (did not finish) which is important when it comes time to count the number of hulls at each race. I also may be the first Puddle Duck racer to break 2 masts in 1 race!
Brad Hickman won the first race in his lug-rigged boat."

[Second race]
"...I rounded the windward mark in the lead but with Brad, again in his beautiful bright-finished Duck breathing down my neck. Now we had a reach along the beach to the finish and his boat was faster on the reach! Halfway down this leg he passed me and it looked like he was going to win the race. However, the wind shifted giving us a windward run to the finish and my boat started eating up the distance. We both headed towards the leeward mark of the finish line to give a better angle to the wind. It still looked like he was going to win as I steered to avoid the photographer who was standing in the middle of the finish gate (I better get some good pictures out of that) when I heard Brad cursing on the other side of my sail out of my view. One of the other racers whom we were both lapping had just cut off his lane to the finish line! He had to go around that boat meaning I crossed first and won the second race!"

[Third race]
"...I rounded the first mark out in front but with John Welsford breathing down my neck in Jackie's beautiful Kiwi Duck. I didn't realize it at the time but Brad had his rigging crash down around his ears when a jam cleat let loose. He must have set a record getting his rig back up as he was still in the race."
"...I heard John Welsford cursing a bit and looked over my shoulder to see an errant gust had taken him aback hitting the leeward side of his sail. The path to victory was clear! I sailed around the windward mark and sailed along the beach to cross in first place. Brad again finished second with John behind him."


"I am sure the results will get published in a more cogent manner than they will in this account but I only really remembered a few facts. Brad won first place overall though he did give me a bit of a dig by thanking me for breaking my mast and dropping out of the first race. He also gave me a sunhat that came as one of his many awards both for his racing and boatbuilding ability. Thank you Brad!"

[QUOTE=davlafont;1386410]As told by Scott Widmier on PDRacer.com: [edited for brevity]

"still looked like he was going to win as I steered to avoid the photographer who was standing in the middle of the finish gate (I better get some good pictures out of that) when I heard Brad cursing on the other side of my sail out of my view. One of the other racers whom we were both lapping had just cut off his lane to the finish line! He had to go around that boat meaning I crossed first and won the second race!"

A note to Scott,

I (the photographer & Goat Island Skiff owner) was nowhere near you guys at the finish.... Yes, I did get that finish on video and will post it on YouTube.

From my perspective you make a great tactical decision to go high above the slower boat, while Brad tried to drive thru the lee of the slow boat dropping down to the lay line. Then there was a slight header at the finish line that got you across the line first while Brad got tangled up with the other boat and the mark.

Nicely done.

Originally Posted by john goodman

From my perspective you make a great tactical decision to go high above the slower boat, while Brad tried to drive thru the lee of the slow boat dropping down to the lay line. Then there was a slight header at the finish line that got you across the line first while Brad got tangled up with the other boat and the mark.

Passing the slow boat on the lee side was one of many mistakes I made that day

Crossing the finish of the last race. (photo credit John Owens)

If anyone is interested in seeing photos of the 2011 Worlds Kevin Hahn has several hundred posted here.

https://picasaweb.google.com/117971817492705202273

Paul Cook also posted a video showing part of the beat and reach of the first race. I'm in the OZ with reefed balance lug, John Welsford in in the green Kiwi with tanbark lanteen sail, Graham Byrnes is in the Texas Duck, which is a modified OZ with a red, white, and blue sail, and Rick Landreville is in the Catbox with a large lanteen sail that has red corners.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKfFtq_8Vp8"]Sail Oklahoma 2011, Lake Eufaula Puddle Ducks.MOV - YouTube[/ame]

Oh Boy! What a sight for bleedin' eyes! PD Racers and lots of them. Well done to the OZ Racer. Even more inspiration to get my duck dressed and wet. Seems like everyone had a great time

Race Results

Brad, lend me your ear please?

I saw a gentlemen with a blue duck dressed in a windsurfer sail. Could you give me his details via PM please? I have secured two surfer masts, a high aspect 6.0 m2 and a 6.0 m2 wayler sail(s) and intend using the same rig with a central dagger board.

Regards

Chris

Originally Posted by Stoffeltoo

Brad, lend me your ear please?

I saw a gentlemen with a blue duck dressed in a windsurfer sail. Could you give me his details via PM please? I have secured two surfer masts, a high aspect 6.0 m2 and a 6.0 m2 wayler sail(s) and intend using the same rig with a central dagger board.

Regards

Chris

That's Scott Widmier. You can read his account on the races here 2011 Sail Oklahoma Puddle Duck Worlds

Thank you

It is amazing to see the successes trials and tribulations of PD owners with different rigs. Excellent article by Scott and the knowledge that my choice of a windsurfer rig may just be the right one

I plan to debut my duck by participating at the Lake Deneys Yacht club annual Round the Island race in Feb 2012. The straight round distance is 24km. It is also the largest inland sailing regatta in South Africa drawing up to 300 boats and up to 2000 participants.

Originally Posted by Stoffeltoo

Thank you

It is amazing to see the successes trials and tribulations of PD owners with different rigs. Excellent article by Scott and the knowledge that my choice of a windsurfer rig may just be the right one

I plan to debut my duck by participating at the Lake Deneys Yacht club annual Round the Island race in Feb 2012. The straight round distance is 24km. It is also the largest inland sailing regatta in South Africa drawing up to 300 boats and up to 2000 participants.

You'd better wear padded seat pants and knee pads if you're racing that far in a Puddle Duck. A masochistic mindset would be beneficial as well.

Last year I thought I could offer my backside for a transplant as it was totally numb for two days. At least this season I would be able to hike out and possibly stand

This story was on the front page of the "Woodward News" today. It's a small town, population 12,000. Not a lot going on around here so they're usually desperate for something to print and my wife knows the author.