RESULTS AND REPORTS

Here you can find all past events results and reports.

Travellers Trophy 2021

The K1 travellers trophy was concluded with the last Open event for this year being sailed  at Broxbourne Sailing Club on 30th October.  Looking back over the year it has been great to meet up with old faces and greet a significant number of new faces to the class.  We have seen the Ovington K1 showing it is a very competitive, comfortable and great looking addition to the fleet.

The year started with Covid still causing an impact with Wimbleball having to be cancelled and numerous other events postponed until later in the year.  Geoff King, together with Class Captains deserve huge thanks for keeping the programme more or less intact.  The fleet therefore started with the Inland National Championships held at Carsington which were won by Simon Hawkes.  These were followed by the Midland Area championships held at Bartley which was won by Jeremy Hudson.  Ian Duke won the next meeting which was held at Datchet Water which meant three different winners from the first three events.

The National Championships held at Weymouth and Portland academy was a great success for the class at an outstanding venue.  Simon was pushed hard but was a very popular winner.  The fleet moved North to Burwain for the next open meeting which was won by Hilly King.  Broxbourne was our last event and despite Jeremy winning the meeting Ian had been consistently quick all year and was a very worthy winner of the 2021 Travellers series.

Broxbourne sailing club open

K1 End of Season Trophy Broxbourne Sailing Club

Saturday 30th October marked the end of a busy if truncated season for the K1 fleet, post Covid, which included a very successful Nationals event at Portland in early September.

Broxbourne has usually staged the last event in the K1 annual traveller calendar and this traditionally on the eve of the autumn clock push back.

Eight visitors from Lyme Regis, Rutland, Weir Wood, Frensham Pond and Datchet Water travelled through heavy rain, to join members of the local fleet to rig their boats in a downpour, with scant sign of a breeze.

There was some welcome relief in the clubhouse around the coffee urn, and to renew friendships during registration. Just prior to the competitor briefing the rain ceased and a breeze built from the south west pushing scudding clouds down the lake, and allowing for welcome glimpses of blue sky and sunshine.

The race team skilfully laid a course with two windward marks, the first led to a downwind leg using the whole length of the water, the second windward mark led to two reaches that brought the fleet back to the start finish area.

Soon the fleet of 13 competitors were jockeying for a good start to their first race. First round the windward mark was last years winner Ian Duke, followed by Jason King, Jeremy Hudson and Hilly King. Ian extended his lead in the early part of this race, his followers falling back whilst tussling for position. This resolved in favour of Jeremy, who then led the chase.

Mid race on a windward leg a very favourable shift lifted the chasing 3 significantly above Ian’s cover and he was suddenly demoted to 4th. He responded well but was unable catch Jeremy, who took the bell for this first race.

After a lunch break the second race was held under a bright blue sunny autumn sky, but with less wind. Jeff VB from Lyme was the first to round and head down the long run. Unfortunately for Jeff the mark he had chosen to round was not marked with a course flag, this resulted in an expletive moment and a visit to the back of the fleet. Jeremy then initially led from Ian and an improving Angelo Russo from the home club. But a very determined Ian broke through and took the bell for the second race.

The final race was held in a slightly stronger but very shifty breeze, the approach to the windward mark required some patience, but once round, it was essential to lock into a downwind channel that avoided cover from behind. Jason King and Angelo from the home club lead round the first mark followed by Jeremy. A very determined Angelo moved into the lead, only to be passed by Jeremy at the last windward turn. Jeremy held on to take the race and the event.

The K1 build has recently been taken over by Ovington and there were three smart examples of new builds with their slightly revised deck moulds, competing at Broxbourne. There has been keen interest in the K1 single hander post lockdown. It has a modern carbon spar rig and mylar sails, whilst the fine lines of the attractive hull are proving able to carry a broad range of crew weight, from 11 to 20 stones plus, competitively in most conditions either on lakes or on coastal waters. The cleverly designed keel arrangement ensures that you can concentrate fully on your racing, rather than waste opportunity recovering from mishaps at those gusty leeward marks.

Author David Hume

Photos Pip Hudson

Burwain sailing club open meeting 

BURWAIN K1 OPEN MEETING HELD ON 10Th OCTOBER

The latest K1 open meeting was held on 10th October at Burwain Sailing Club which is situated on a picturesque lake near Colne in Lancashire.  The Reservoir feeds the very popular Leeds and Liverpool Canal so water levels vary throughout the year.

A windless, misty morning greeted the competitors and wisely Race Officer Kath Dobson and her able assistant Tom Partridge postponed the races to allow the promised westerly breeze to fill in and chose to race the three proposed races back to back.

Race one was a clean get away with Jeremy Hudson (Frensham Pond) and Ian Duke (Datchet Water) the early pace setters, closely followed by Hilly King (Frensham Pond) and a very fast Geoff King (Tewkesbury) who had been trapped at the start.  As the race progressed the wind veered and increased in strength allowing gains to be made by keeping in pressure and being mindful of the cloud movements and associated lifts.  At the finish Ian took the gun closely followed by Hilly, Geoff and Jeremy.

The wind had increased for the second race and after a change of course to accommodate the slight directional change the fleet was away.  Jeremy was unlucky being over at the start and hemmed in before being able to return.  The leader at the first mark this time was Hilly closely followed by Ian, Geoff and Mike Deane (Windermere).  The place changes again were numerous with Hilly, Ian and Geoff breaking away and even getting some fast off wind reaches when the gusts hit.  At the finish Hilly took the win followed by Ian and Geoff with Jeremy recovering to 4th.

The last race had everything to play for with Hilly and Ian level on points.  With the lake bathed in sunshine and the holding breeze the fleet were clean away.  At the first mark Hilly led again with Glyn Howson from the home club and Ian in close attendance.  At the leeward mark a degree of confusion reigned regarding whether it should be taken to port or starboard.  Indeed the leaders were correct and those following went round incorrectly causing subsequent retirements.  After continually swapping places Hilly and Ian developed a large lead and the race could have gone either way.  At the finish Hilly held on to win and with it the open meeting.

All agreed the meeting was a great success and good to see the interest in the Ovington K1.

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          First Hilly King                                              Second Ian Duke                                    Third Geoff King

K1 National Championships 2021

K1 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021

The K1 National Championships were held over a long weekend of 3rd to 5th September at WPNSA in Weymouth.  Competitors started arriving on Thursday to set up their boats ready for the two points races to be held on Friday and subsequent six points races to be held over Saturday and Sunday.

For those unfamiliar with the Olympic venue of 2012 it is a fabulous site which encourages both young and old on the water and has the enviable position to look over Weymouth bay which is absolutely glorious.

Geoff King together with the excellent race team led by Paul Kimmens, Bill Barker, Ken Porter Bridge and Sally Reynoldson  held briefings each morning to determine the race area, launching procedures and ensured a Covid safe regatta.

Friday was a warm, sunny day with steady light breeze from the East.  The two races were to be held inside the harbour and courses were faultless.

The first race gave an insight into the likely front runners, Simon Hawkes gave a masterclass in taking shifts where appropriate and using the wind bends to maximum advantage.  He was pushed all the way by Ian Duke, Jeremy Hudson and Paul Birbeck who were swapping places regularly.  Further down the fleet the racing was just as lively as places changed both up and down wind so staying in pressure was key.  Finishing places were First, Simon, followed by Ian, Jeremy and Paul.  The second race saw a pin end favoured start and once again Simon led the fleet closely followed by Ian and Paul.  John Wayling, very new to the K1, together with Jeremy ensured that the front runners did not make any slip ups.  The finishing places for race two were First Simon, followed by Ian ,Paul and John.

Saturday dawned with a slightly stronger breeze and distinctly stronger sunshine.  Hydration definitely required as the racing was to be held in the bay.

The sail through the harbour wall with sun reflecting off the water was just magical.  The easterly breeze had swung slightly and the courses again mirrored the swing and sea state was slight.  Simon again led but Ian was in close attendance, as indeed were a group of John, Paul , Jeremy, Guy Woodhouse and Geoff King

The run saw the fleet concertina and large gains were being made if you were able to catch both wind and waves in sequence.  The finishing positions were First Simon followed by Ian, John and Paul.

The start of race two saw us joined by a pair of extremely playful dolphins, that  sight of the majestic creatures literally within arm’s length of your boat will linger long in the memory.  The black flag adopted by the race committee ensured all starts were clean and it is uncanny how the good sailors just seem to have clear tracks and excellent boat speed.  Simon was kept honest this time by Paul, Jeremy and Guy.  A distinct fleet split over the race course saw large gains heading towards the harbour and mid fleet huge changes were taking place.  The finishing order was First Simon followed by Paul, Jeremy and Guy.

The third race was started in similar conditions and it was little surprise to see the same faces fighting for the win.  Simon again reigned supreme followed by Paul, Jeremy and John. By the end of day two Simon was in an extremely strong position but the next few positions were very close and all to play for on the last day.

A fleet bar b q was held on Saturday night which was a wonderful time to catch up with old friends and their wives/partners.  We are fortunate that the fleet is incredibly friendly and everyone is generous with their time and expertise.

Sunday was again sunny and the breeze this time was reduced so the racing was held in Harbour.  Simon only needed to score a reasonable result to clinch the championship, but with the lighter wind it was felt that it may favour the lightweight helms.  However the old adage that cream always comes to the surface proved true.  Simon was pushed firstly by Ian and Jason King with Paul in close attendance.  The slender lead looked vulnerable in the light conditions as the fleet made its way downwind.  Again place changes were happening throughout the fleet which made interesting racing even if the leaders were a good distance away.  At the finish Simon was again First giving him the championship with a perfect score.  Second was Ian followed by Paul and Jason.

The Second race demonstrated that even the best of us do make errors and this time John led at the windward mark closely followed by Paul, Simon and Ian.  A battle royal developed and Paul took the lead never to be overtaken with John second followed by Simon and Ian.

The last race was to determine who would finish second overall as both Ian and Paul were very close with Paul carrying the better discard.

The wind swung and the race officer again reset a perfect course.   Normal service was resumed with Simon using the wind bend to great advantage. Jeremy was going extremely fast in a different direction and Ian and Paul were playing the shifts equally as well down the centre of the racetrack.  A really close race ensued with Simon winning followed by Ian, Jeremy and Paul.

It was unsure who had secured second overall at this stage as the points were so tight.  In the end Ian had secured overall second by one point from Paul.

It was also great to see Chris Turner, MD Ovington boats who now manufacture the K1 taking a keen interest in the development of the class to ensure continued growth.

Simon is a very worthy and popular champion last winning the K1 National Championships 10 years earlier.

We also celebrate our demographic and John won the masters age group, Ian won the seniors age group and Mike Commander the veterans age group.

Overall results:

1. Simon Hawkes

2. Ian Duke

3. Paul Birbeck

4. John Wayling

5. Jeremy Hudson

6. Guy Woodhouse

National champion

Simon Hawkes

2nd overall and over 65 winner

Ian Duke

3rd overall

Paul Birbeck

4th overall and over 60 winner

John Wayling

5th overall

Jeremy Hudson

Over 70 winner

Mike Commander

Loads more pictures here.

Thanks to David Beer and many others for taking these

These are free for you to download.

More are being added from WPSNA so please keep looking

Born in the 50s winner Geoff King            Born in the 60s winner Julian Leggett          Born in the 70s winner Jason King

2019 Events