K6 Eurocup at Fraglia Vela Riva - Overall

K6 Eurocup at Lake Garda © Dave Hall

K6 Eurocup at Lake Garda © Dave Hall

The K6 fleet made its way to Riva on the North bank of Lake Garda for its bi-annual Eurocup championship. This year the event was shared with the Viper640 which made for a large and fun group of sailors.

It was a baptism of fire for the K6 fleet on the first day of racing. With many of the fleet having their first taste of strong breeze sailing this season it was hard on boats and crew.

The wind filled in as promised - and boy did it fill in! A good 25 knots with gusts of 30 plus sorted out the experienced and the tough as well as those who had well prepared boats.

Father and son team of Lawrence and Luca Crispen dominated the racing with 3 firsts followed by the usual suspects of team Fulcher and team Nicholson.

It was all change for day 2, the fleet left the shore in the classic drifter before the expected breeze. The wind did take a while to kick in and when it did was slightly across the lake and actually had shifts in it. After a disastrous first day without a finish team Hall took the lead up the first beat in the first race of the day. Despite a strong challenge from team Wedge held on to the finish.

The wind freshened for race 2 and team Fulcher hit the right hand side hard coming out 100m ahead of the fleet. It looked like he was untouchable but a cruel shift caused by the impending storm left them stranded to watch team Nicholson, Hall and Crispin sail out in front of them and down to the finish.

The fleet were sent in straight after the race as the storm increased travelling down the west valley with some intensity.

After the competitors had dried out from the storm, all were treated to drinks courtesy of Rondar Raceboats.

Day 3 and sunshine and wind was the order of the day, the breeze came in early and by the time the race got under way we had 20 knots+ across the lake. Three races were scheduled with the hope that an additional race might be run to catch up on the lost race from day 2. However the fleet voted on their feet and decided three was enough.

Team Fulcher had a good day, having led races and lost them on previous days they managed to take the lead in 2 races and hold onto it. Team Hall took the other race of the day. The Crispins had a moderate day still just holding the overall lead but Team Nicholson had closed the gap.

Day 4 and three more races were held in glorious sunshine and a 15 -20 not breeze. The wind speed was a little more liking to much of the fleet and we saw the full fleet start the day. Team Nicholson lead the first race but a broken jib sheet meant an early pit stop allowing the Crispins to gain another first.

However with the jib sheet fixed Team Nicholson went onto win the second race of the day followed by team Hall and the team lead by Maria Richards. The points were getting closer and in the last race Team Fulcher took an early lead followed by team Hall. After a close battle Team Hall overtook and lead to the finish.

After racing the fleet retired to a local restaurant for a fun filled evening and a very amusing presentation by the class chairman Peter Kirkby with Fraser Elms taking much of the flack.

Final day

Going into the last day any one of the top three could now win the week and it was mathematically possible for Team Hall to make the podium once the three discards come in and they lose the last one of their DNS.

It really did go down to the wire and will be a week remembered by 'if onlys'. The Crispins were leading going into the last day but gear failure in the first of 2 races meant it became a battle between team Fulcher and team Nicholson.

In the end Neil Fulcher with Jonny Vanningham and Eddie Smith are Eurocup champions beating Ian Nicholson with James Nicholson and Alice Goring on count back. Team Hall made a valiant effort to get close but it was all too late.

Once again a fantastic event with excellent race management, great fun both on and off the water. If you are a K6 sailor make sure you book for 2017!

Overall Results: