K1 Open at Rutland Sailing Club

Hilly King wins the Rutland K1 Open © Geoff King

The K1 fleet met at Rutland over the weekend of 1st & 2nd June. Four of the local sailors were joined by six visitors to enjoy some exciting racing, completing six races over the two days with warm weather and varying wind conditions.

On Saturday winds were light to moderate from the SW. The race officer John Fothergill decided on a windward-leeward course as being best suited to the conditions. After some delay due to the shifting winds, the fleet got away with David Pritchett taking a clear lead to the windward mark. However, it turned out to be a flash in the pan and was soon overtaken by Hilly King and David Hume, closely followed by Ian Duke and Geoff King. Hilly King lead for most of the race but the wind died on the last downwind leg and David Hume claimed the win followed by Ian Duke and Hilly and Geoff King. Race two got under way shortly afterwards with the winds freshening and the competitors getting more familiar with the course by using both sides of the downwind gate with the King brothers dominating the race and it was only at the final buoy that Hilly got a much needed overlap to take the win closely followed by Geoff and Ian took third.Race three followed in similar conditions and this time David Hume held Ian at bay with Geoff taking a close third.

Sunday gave much stronger winds force 4-5 gusting to six again from the SW moving to S. The race officer decided on a traditional triangle-sausage-triangle course and the racing got away on time. Hilly, David, Ian and Geoff all took turns at the front but it was David who claimed line honours closely followed by Hilly and Geoff took third.

Race 5 was sailed in increasing winds and interesting gusts. This time Geoff got a flyer and was well clear of the chasers. Hilly slowly narrowed the gap throughout the race but it looked like Geoff would take line honours. The last reach to the finish was a screamer and Hilly just claimed the win by a bow from Geoff and Ian claimed third. The final race was sailed in similar conditions and this time Hilly built up a comfortable lead which he held to the finish. The real race was for second where Ian and Geoff had a battle royal knowing that the whoever won that battle would be placed third overall. Ian claimed second and Geoff third.

Hilly King of Frensham Pond SC was the overall winner and also winner of the K1 Midland Trophy. David Hume of Broxbourne SC was second with Ian Duke of Datchet SC third and Geoff King from Tewkesbury C and SC fourth The gap between second and fourth was only two points showing how close the racing was over a super weekend.

All agreed Rutland is a superb location and the race management was excellent The K1 fleet also enjoyed the hospitality of the Flying Fifteen fleet, who were having their National Championship at the same time. We were invited to a Pimm's reception on the lawn on Saturday evening followed by an excellent dinner. All visitors said they would certainly return to Rutland in the future.

Overall Results: