K1 Northern Area Championship at Carsington Sailing Club

Richard Sims wins the K1 Northern Area Championship at Carsington © Jason King

Ian Tinker finishes 2nd in the K1 Northern Area Championship at Carsington © Jason King

The K1 Northern Area Championships were held at Carsington Sailing Club on Sunday 16th April. The wind which greeted the fleet was, thank goodness, greater than was predicted and the 7 to 12 knot breeze provided very close racing.

The PRO Keith Appleby and his team set windward, leeward courses for the first two races and when the wind direction shifted the introduction of a W course kept the fleet guessing which side of the course to favour.

The first race got away with Hilly King(Datchet Water) leading the fleet on the starboard side of the course closely followed by Ian Tinker and Richard Sims, both from the home club. Whilst most of the fleet short tacked the central part of the course Ian continued to starboard which proved to be the correct decision as he held a small lead at the windward mark, closely followed by Richard, Jeremy Hudson (Frensham Pond) and Jason King (Datchet Water). The run saw the fleet bunching together with Geoff King (Tewkesbury) going much lower than the front runners and proving very fast. Unfortunately Jeremy retired with jib pole trouble and Jason lost a batten which slowed his progress. The second beat saw Geoff sail incredibly quickly through the fleet to lead at the windward mark, with Ian, Richard and Jason all in close attendance. At the finish Geoff had a comfortable lead, Ian took second, Richard third and Hilly fourth.

The second race had a similar pattern with Ian and Richard choosing one side of the course and Jeremy leading those who again chose the central to port side which appeared to have a lift at times and then patches where the breeze died to nothing. At the windward mark Ian led Richard with Jeremy, Jason, Geoff and Hilly all rounding together. Jason looked to have chosen the correct course downwind catching the leaders and going into the lead only to sail into a windless patch allowing the status quo to continue. Hilly made a push to overtake next but again was denied by the way the wind filled in from behind. The second windward leg saw Geoff and Jeremy splitting tacks with Ian and Richard, however at the windward mark a group of six boats were all within seconds of each other. The run proved to be a case of holding ones nerve and Ian rounded the leeward mark first and held on to a victory followed closely by Richard, Jeremy and Hilly.

Going into the last race three potential winners were emerging so all to play for. The first beat proved decisive with all the club sailors choosing the left hand side and visitors again taking the lifts which clearly did not pay in the swinging wind. Great to see Alf Hawkesworth and Kim Dunstan both from Carsington in the mix at the windward mark but it looked like Ian was clear with Richard a comfortable second. Richard however had other plans and passed Ian off wind and despite all Ian's best efforts Richard was not to relinquish the lead. At the finish Richard took the bullet followed by Ian, Hilly and Jeremy.

K1 Northern Area Championship at Carsington - photo © Keith Appleby

Each race had a different winner and on countback Richard had won The Northern Area Championship, followed by Ian in second and Geoff in third.

The Open Meeting has again proved extremely enjoyable and demonstrated how competitive and friendly the racing is within the K1 class.

The prize-giving also celebrated the K1 demographic prize categories and spot prizes kindly donated by Ovington Boats.

Overall Results: