K1 Northern Championships at South Windermere Sailing Club
by Mike Deane 24 Jul 2013 14:00 BST
19-20 July 2013
K1 Northern Championships on Lake Windermere © Julie Tomlinson
The K1 class association headed North this weekend to Lake Windermere, where South Windermere hosted the K1 Northern Open.
Although the heatwave was in full swing, there was sufficient wind for some close racing. Three races were held on the 19th, to form the K1 Northerns, and a number of K1 sailors took advantage of the trip to the Lakes, to join South Windermere's regular racing on Sunday. Over the weekend, a total of 14 sailors took part in K1 races, and more interest was created in this new class of small keel boats, leading to at least one new K1 purchase.
Saturday racing was particularly close, with races won by very small margins, the K1 being particularly suited to the variable wind conditions, both gusts and shifts, it was often the fastest reacting helm that got the most from small changes. Race 1 was won by local sailor, Mike Deane (South Windermere SC), perhaps benefitting from local knowledge, Mike was closely followed by Alan Skitt, (Blithfield SC) Geoff Worral (Oxford SC) and Mike Green (Wimbleball SC), a small group who had managed to break clear of the main group.
After a lunch break, races 2 and 3 were run back to back. Race 2 was another close run affair, with Simon Jones (Wimbleball SC) taking the win at the last minute from Mike Deane, and Grant Brown (Severn SC) in close pursuit. Jeff Van Der Borght (Lyme Redis SC) led the second group of sailors in, having sailed this particular boat for the first time; K1 5 is now owned by a South Windermere member.
This set up race 3 to be the decider, and another very close race ensued. Simon Jones led Alan Skitt around the last mark, with Mike Deane and John Shimell (Chew Valley SC) following within metres. Mike and John match raced the last leg, allowing Simon and Alan to pull 50 metres clear. At the finish line, Alan led Simon by half a boat length, with John beating Mike to 3rd place. This left Alan, Simon and Mike all on 3 points, each with a first and a second. The last race was the decider, as we had all expected.
First Alan Skitt, second Simon Jones and third Mike Deane.
Sunday K1 racing was another three races, alongside South Windermere's July meeting, mixing with the regular Flying Fifteen fleet, and the handicap fleet. First John Shimell (Chew Valley), second Mike Deane (South Windermere SC) and third Alan Russel (Rutland Water).
The K1 fleet expressed their enjoyment of the event, and particularly thanked South Windermere for organising the pre- and après- sailing activities as much as the racing.