K6 open meeting at Aldeburgh Yacht Club
by Ian Robson 25 May 07:40 BST
20-21 May 2023
K6 open meeting at Aldeburgh © Robert Mulcahy
Aldeburgh Yacht Club hosted the second open meeting of the season for the K6 class on 20/21 May following the well-attended open meeting at Oxford in April.
The announcement of the King's coronation last Autumn had made it necessary to defer the date of the Open by a fortnight which had led to a number of class stalwarts as well as three members of the home fleet being unable to attend due to unavoidable diary clashes. Despite the resulting smaller than usual fleet, some great sailing was enjoyed by all participants in lively NNE 4/6 conditions.
Race Officer and current Club Commodore, Robert Mulcahy used the full width of the river to set some perfect windward-leeward courses which suit this exciting fast planning 6m keelboat so well. A total of four races were held across the weekend whilst Saturday evening saw all competitors plus family and friends enjoy the renowned Aldeburgh fish & chips at a class member's home.
Local class champions Ian Robson & Sandy Johnson gave a near faultless display of how to handle the fast planning reaches and gybes and were never seriously challenged for first overall. But behind them John Adcroft & Steve Dewberry, Steve Liddell (with assorted crew) and visitors John Tabor & Paul Owen from Oxford SC all showed good speed at times and closely contested the minor places between them.
At the prize-giving all the competitors agreed it had been an exhausting but memorable weekend in the bright sunshine and strong breezes and all then enjoyed a mid-afternoon Sunday roast lunch at the Club before the journey home.
Results:
1. 162 Ian Robson & Sandy Johnson, Aldeburgh YC
2. 109 John Adcroft & Steve Dewberry, Aldeburgh YC
3. 204 Steve Liddell & Ian Liddell/Alex Cooper, Aldeburgh YC
4. 122 John Tabor & Paul Owen, Oxford SC