K1 Inland Championship 2025 at Carsington Sailing Club

The K1 Inland National Championships were held over the weekend of 17/18th May at Carsington Sailing Club. The variable wind strengths were to prove a challenge for the race teams but nothing could diminish the enthusiasm and anticipation of the 24 entrants.

On Friday preceding the Championships our fleet Guru Simon Hawkes ran a fabulous training session in fresh conditions with wall to wall sunshine. If you have not attended one of Simon's training sessions then don't delay as everyone always comes away with smiles on their faces and significant learning.

Saturday dawned to reduced winds and certainly less sunshine, however during the briefing the race team were confident that the three proposed races should be able to go ahead and the sunshine would return.

The first race got away without incident as the fleet were sailing under U flag over the whole weekend. The fleet split between starting at the pin end where the wind was certainly stronger or hugging the committee boat where a lift was apparent and with less boats vying for position gave clearer lanes and the opportunity to play the central shifts.

First to show were Leighton King, Graham Butler, Simon Hawkes and Chris Swallow who had all opted to head out on starboard and stay in pressure. Local sailors Richard Sims and Alf Hawksworth were joined by Geoff King and Jason King trying to pick up the lift from the opposite shore, so when the fleet came together at the windward mark it would be interesting to see who had chosen best. Those who had opted to stay in pressure rounded in a small group and headed on to the wing mark and they already had a reasonable lead over the chasing pack now with Jeremy Shinton and Mike Beckett joining the chase.

The wind was clearly dropping as the sun became stronger, so as the fleet spread out over the racecourse it was apparent that if you were able to catch a puff huge gains could be made. Chris had by now carved out a substantial lead with only Leighton, Simon and Graham anywhere close. However as the wind disappeared altogether the race team had no choice but to abandon the race and hope that the wind would fill in enough to allow more races to be run.

After a significant delay waiting for a stable wind albeit still light the fleet started the second race. As the wind direction was a little variable picking the correct shifts was critical.

After tacking off to take the port lift Phil King, Simon, Jeremy S, Leighton and Hilly King had a small lead on the chasing pack, however looking to the right hand side of the race course Mike, Andrew Wilson and Philip Noak were making significant progress to the windward mark.

Interestingly Jeremy Hudson, Geoff and Jason had opted for the less favourable clubhouse side of the race course hoping the wind would fill from that direction. At the windward mark Phil rounded first closely followed by Hilly, Simon, Leighton and Jeremy S. Throughout the fleet place changing was frequent as puffs appeared from nowhere giving unexpected advantages and equally as big losses, if you did not react to the wind direction changes.

Leighton, Hilly and Mike headed towards the centre of the racecourse whereas the other leaders opted for the shortest course to the wing mark. Despite the centre definitely giving an early advantage, this was to be cancelled out by having to cover the extra distance created.

Heading toward the leeward mark again the leaders split with Jeremy S, Mike, Phil and Philip N taking the clubhouse side of the run, whereas Leighton, Simon and Hilly again heading to the centre to take advantage of the rippling water on the far side of the reservoir.

Leighton despite only being a short distance from Simon and Hilly literally stopped demonstrating the locality of where the wind occurred. Simon and Hilly continued to progress as indeed did Jeremy S and Mike towards the club house side of the reservoir.

Hilly held water on Simon as they rounded the last mark however Simon's extra boatspeed saw him take the bullet, with Hilly second, Jeremy S third, Mike fourth and Philip N fifth.

The race team keen to get in a further race before the wind disappeared started race three as a gust went through the racecourse which gave more opportunities over the first beat.

The port tack was clearly favoured so if you could have a clear track on the start line and then tack away you stood a good chance of success. Most chose the pin end however Jason, Richard and John Webster started on the committee boat end to get to the right hand side of the race course as early as possible. A large windshift and gust filled in from the right causing a wind bend that benefitted those in the centre however looking towards the windward mark ominously the water looked to be windless.

Luckily by the time the leaders reached the windward mark the wind had filled but from a different direction causing the next leg to become a second beat. Graham, Phil, Hilly, Jeremy S, Simon, Jason and Mike all rounded in a group and made good progress towards the next mark. Behind, the change in wind direction had caused others to be either stranded in the wrong part of the course or able to broad reach into the windward mark which allowed large place gains.

Heading towards the leeward mark the wind turned back and went lighter again so boat positioning was to be key and looking for where the wind would fill in from clearly the order of the day. Graham, Phil and Hilly headed towards the centre whereas Simon, Jeremy S, Mike and Jason stayed out towards the clubhouse side hoping for clear winds. Phil like Leighton in the previous race proved unlucky as his wind failed despite being close to both Hilly and Graham who were able to hold their wind. With a dying wind the course was shortened and Graham this time took the bullet, followed by Hilly, Simon, Jeremy S and Mike Deane in fifth.

In the evening the fleet had a dinner together and a chance to discuss the sailing. We are really lucky in the K1 fleet as everyone enjoys each other's company and it is always great to meet new members and catch up with old friends.

The race team decided to run four races on Sunday as the wind was stronger and significantly more consistent. Again we were set triangle/sausage courses and as previously the fleet was cleanly away. Those showing early were Simon, Leighton, Geoff, Jeremy H, Chris and Graham who had all chosen the pin end and held the long starboard tack.

Those opting for the central part of the race course showing towards the front were Phil, Andrew and Richard, although Ian Duke together with Jeremy S were also making good progress. Paul Sennett was the first of the fleet to fall foul of the U flag bringing his race to an early conclusion. At the windward mark Leighton held a slender lead over Simon with a small gap to the chasing group being lead by Geoff and Graham.

The subsequent offwind legs resulted in significant place changes all through the fleet and you could easily lose five or six places if you were caught on the outside of a mark rounding or having to try and survive in dirty wind. The second lap developed a battle royal between Leighton and Simon both swapping positions constantly and they were able to put a bit of distance between themselves and the chasing Graham, Geoff, Jeremy H and Chris.

The tussle between Leighton and Simon continued until Simon just slipped past when Leighton failed to cover him on the last beat.

At the finish Simon took the bullet followed by Leighton, Graham, Geoff and Chris.

The following start saw most of the fleet over the line all looking for a clear track so wisely a general recall was implemented. At the second attempt the fleet got away cleanly and this time Jeremy H, Ian, Geoff and Richard were first to show having again been able to win the pin end. The committee boat end saw Graham, Jason, Hilly and Jeremy S all in contention with Simon opting for a port tack start after coming around the back of the fleet at the pin end.

The wind was constant in direction but occasional gusts meant place changes were frequent. Martyn Emberson took full advantage of the conditions and joined the leading group carefully picking shifts to take and those to ignore. At the windward mark for the first time a group of five boats rounded almost simultaneously followed closely by the chasing pack led by Simon and Jason.

The offwind leg had everything from little wind to decent gusts and planning conditions. At the end of the first lap Jeremy H held a small advantage over Simon, Ian, Geoff and Richard, with Graham, Jason, Jeremy S and Martyn only a short distance behind. The subsequent beat and off wind legs were a master class from Simon where he developed a significant lead never to be threatened. The following boats had all to play for however as they all tried to maximise positions.

At the finish Simon took the bullet, followed by Jeremy H, Ian, Richard and Geoff.

The third race of the day was started in a slightly reduced wind with a definite port tack advantage. The ideal position was to win the committee boat end of the start line and tack as early as possible onto port to take not only the lift but also be positioned for the wind bend coming from the far side of the reservoir. First to show were Andrew, Phil, Jeremy S and Hilly. Simon, Jeremy H and Leighton opted for a more central course and expertly took the shifts as they arose.

Notably Richard, Geoff, John and Ian had opted for a more conservative pin end start but were clearly in more pressure despite not having the advantage of the port lift. At the windward mark you can judge who has made the correct decisions and Leighton together with Simon held a slight advantage over the chasing pack which was headed by Andrew and Phil. The subsequent legs saw little place changes but Leighton and Simon were putting daylight between themselves and the rest of the fleet.

The second lap demonstrated how close the racing is between all the fleet with significant place changes particularly on the beat to the mark as the wind had swung again. This time Andrew, Jeremy S, Hilly and Jeremy H were the beneficiaries being able to capitalise on the new wind as it hit the reservoir. By the finish Leighton and Simon were well clear however as they crossed the line only one hooter was heard. Leighton had been deemed over during the last minute prior to the start so recorded a UFD unfortunately.

Simon took the bullet followed by Andrew, Jeremy S, Hilly and Jeremy H.

With Simon already having won the Championships the last race was to determine who filled the next four places overall.

The wind was beginning to reduce so a good start was imperative and with the slight swing to starboard so the pin end was again favoured. Simon, Andrew, Ian and Jeremy H were first to show, however Graham, Hilly, Jeremy S, Jason and Leighton had all opted for a more central start and although travelling slower were being lifted towards the mark. As always it is difficult to assess who has made good decisions until the fleet cross. The first crossing showed little between any of the front runners so still all to play for in the overall standings.

At the windward mark Andrew had a small advantage over Simon and Leighton and after a short gap the chasing pack rounded led by Graham. Hilly was declared over the line by the race officials so headed inshore to join Phil who had also been classified as UFD! At the leeward mark Graham had joined Andrew together with Ian, Jeremy H and Leighton in pursuit of Simon. The remainder of the lap Simon increased his lead, but a tussle for the other podium places still remained.

The wind was now reducing still further so the race team sensibly decided to shorten course so at the finish Simon again took the bullet, followed by Andrew, Graham, Ian and Jeremy H.

At the prizegiving Class Association president Jeremy thanked Carsington Water SC for an enjoyable weekend and particularly Alf Hawksworth for all his hard work making the event happen.

Jeremy also thanked our sponsors Ovington Boats and Craftinsure who presented spot prizes to: Chris Swallow, Paul Beetham, Christopher Cooney, Doug McCusker and Paul Sennett.

Simon Hawkes, overall winner and Masters Champion - K1 Inland Championship at Carsington - photo © Hilly King

Winners of the Age Category Trophies:

Masters: Simon Hawkes
Seniors: Hilly King
Veterans: Andrew Wilson
Over 80: Alf Hawksworth

Winners of Beat Your Predicted Place:

1st Mike Deane
2nd Graham Butler
3rd Hilly King

First Home Boat - Richard Sims

Hilly King, fifth overall and Seniors Champion - K1 Inland Championship at Carsington - photo © Ian Duke

Overall Results:

Andrew Wilson, Veterans Champion - K1 Inland Championship at Carsington - photo © Hilly King