K1 National Championship at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy

by Jeremy Hudson 10 Sep 09:06 BST 5-7 September 2025

A new generation triumphs as the K1 fleet doubles in size, delivering three days of epic racing and a thrilling father-son showdown.

The K1 National Championship made a triumphant return to the renowned waters of the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) for the first time in four years over the long weekend 5th -7th September. With a record-breaking 38 entries, the fleet size more than doubled from 2021, marking a major milestone for this rapidly expanding singlehanded keelboat class. Over three days, competitors were put to the test across nine races, experiencing conditions that ranged from light, strategic sailing to powerful, full-throttle challenges. The event, expertly managed by Race Officer Frankie Upton and her team, was impeccably hosted by WPNSA and generously supported by Ovington Boats and Ripe Craftinsure.

Day 1 - Father vs. Son Begins

The stage was set on Friday with a building breeze that reached 15 knots, allowing the fleet to find its rhythm. Early on, it looked like business as usual as Simon Hawkes, a multiple national champion and long time class pace setter, sailed to two convincing victories. However, the narrative shifted dramatically in the final race of the day when his son, Ben Hawkes, clinched a narrow win, signaling the start of a fierce generational contest. Behind the leading pair, consistent performances from Paul Birbeck, Richard Sims, Leighton King, and Jeremy Hudson kept the pressure on and demonstrated the growing depth of talent in the class. The day concluded with a valuable debrief from coach Adam Bowers, who used video analysis and humor to help sailors improve their game. The day concluded with many heading to local haunt The Fat Badger to swap stories and soothe tired muscles.

Day 2 - Ben Strikes Back

Saturday brought more mid-teen breezes, ramping up into thrilling full-power conditions as the day progressed. With shifts, gusts and tight mark roundings aplenty, race management was exemplary in delivering three high-quality races. Simon claimed the opener, but Ben responded with a masterclass, securing victories in the next two races, reducing his father's overall lead to a single point by the end of the day. Behind them, constant place changes throughout the fleet reflected just how competitive the class has become. The evening BBQ and bar session at the club proved the perfect way to unwind, with sailors rehydrating and refuelling in classic K1 fashion — competitive on the water, welcoming off it.

Day 3 - Lightning, Drama, and a Champion Unmasked

Sunday opened with a weather-induced delay as thunder and lightning swept through the area and delayed racing. With some (notably Simon!) lobbying for a weather-induced early finish, the race team stood firm and, once the skies cleared, delivered three final races in testing, shifty and building conditions.

The day saw new names at the top, with Jeremy Hudson and Leighton King claiming victories in the first two races. By the final race, the breeze, topping 30 knots, was back with full force, and Ben Hawkes clinched a critical win. As the fleet sailed in, the final results were far from clear. When the numbers were finally tallied, it was the younger Hawkes who emerged victorious, becoming the 2025 K1 National Champion. He narrowly beat his father, Simon, while Paul Birbeck's consistency earned him a well-deserved third place. The battle for fourth through sixth was so close that it required countback, with Jeremy Hudson just edging out Leighton King and Richard Sims.

The prize-giving ceremony celebrated not only the champions but also the spirit of the class. Ben Hawkes received the overall title, along with the Junior Prize, a bag of wine gums. Simon Hawkes was crowned Masters Champion, while Ian Duke and Richard Sims took home the Seniors and Veterans titles, respectively. The day concluded with universal praise for the event, the volunteers, and the vibrant K1 Class itself. With the buzz already building for the 2026 Nationals from the Royal Torbay Yacht Club, it's clear this singlehanded class is sailing from strength to strength.

Prize Winners:

Champion: Ben Hawkes
2nd: Simon Hawkes
3rd: Paul Birbeck
4th-6th (on countback): Jeremy Hudson, Leighton King, Richard Sims
Junior Prize, (under 60), (Fruit Gums): Ben Hawkes
Masters Champion: Simon Hawkes
Seniors Champion: Ian Duke
Veterans Champion: Richard Sims
Beat Your Predicted Place Winner: Mike Beckett (outstanding performance) 2nd David Gorringe and 3rd Mark Stones

With smiles all round, sore legs, and stories to last the winter, the 2025 Nationals closed with universal praise for the venue, the volunteers, and the class itself. Already, the buzz is building for Torbay 2026, as the K1 Class continues to go from strength to strength.

If you're looking to join a vibrant, welcoming fleet sailing a versatile and rewarding boat, visit the K1 Class Association website for more information.

Overall Results:

Pos	Sail No	Helm	Club	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	R9	Pts
1	164	Ben Hawkes		3	4	1	3	1	1	‑5	‑5	1	14
2	198	Simon Hawkes		1	1	2	1	‑5	3	‑8	3	5	16
3	175	Paul Birbeck		2	3	3	‑4	4	2	‑12	2	2	18
4	120	Jeremy Hudson	Frensham Pond Sc	‑6	2	4	6	6	6	1	4	(RET)	29
5	185	Leighton King		4	6	5	‑27	3	7	‑23	1	3	29
6	180	Richard Sims		5	5	‑6	2	2	5	‑9	6	4	29
7	97	Andrew Wilson		8	10	‑14	9	7	(DNS)	3	9	8	54
8	170	Ian Duke	Datchet Water SC	‑19	‑13	12	11	10	4	2	8	10	57
9	188	Mike Beckett		10	8	10	10	9	13	4	‑29	‑18	64
10	130	Mark Stones		12	‑17	17	8	8	9	‑22	7	9	70
11	171	Jeffrey Vander Borght		14	9	9	14	‑15	14	11	‑21	6	77
12	87	John Richardson	Royal Windermere YC	18	11	7	7	16	10	‑24	‑24	13	82
13	191	Hilly King	Frensham Pond Sc	13	12	‑24	‑18	13	16	15	10	7	86
14	20	David Gorringe		‑15	15	‑16	15	14	11	10	11	11	87
15	129	Richard Le Mare		9	7	11	5	12	8	(DNC)	(DNC)	DNC	91
16	121	Graham Butler	Datchet Water SC	7	16	13	16	‑20	‑18	18	13	12	95
17	189	Martyn Emberson	Northampton SC/Rutland SC	11	‑21	8	12	17	15	‑32	19	17	99
18	111	Dominick Hume	Shoreham	17	14	15	‑19	‑19	19	6	15	15	101
19	161	Jason King		‑21	(OCS)	19	17	18	12	16	12	14	108
20	157	Geoff King	Barnt Green SC/Tewkesbury Cruising & SC	16	(OCS)	18	13	11	17	21	‑23	19	115
21	150	Steve Pooley		‑25	19	20	‑23	22	20	14	18	16	129
22	163	Julian Leggett	Weir Wood SC	23	23	‑30	21	21	‑25	13	17	21	139
23	78	Philip Norris		‑30	24	23	24	‑29	26	7	26	23	153
24	124	Simon Patterson	Tewkesbury Cruising & SC	24	20	21	‑26	‑31	21	25	22	22	155
25	193	Michael Commander	Teign Corinthian YC	‑29	28	‑31	20	26	22	28	14	20	158
26	92	George Hoskins		‑33	30	‑33	29	24	23	17	16	25	164
27	106	Mike Deane		20	25	‑28	‑31	23	27	20	27	27	169
28	74	Derek Lambert		22	26	25	22	‑32	‑30	26	25	29	175
29	181	Chris Swallow		26	‑29	26	(DNC)	25	24	29	20	26	176
30	85	Philip Noak		‑34	‑32	32	25	30	31	19	28	24	189
31	169	Martin Kimber		28	18	22	30	27	29	(DNC)	(DNC)	DNC	193
32	46	Jonathan Buckler		31	31	34	28	28	28	(DNC)	(DNC)	DNC	219
33	99	Christofer Cooney	Carsington SC	‑37	‑35	35	32	33	32	30	30	28	220
34	45	Patrick Southon		27	22	27	(DNC)	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	232
35	183	Nigel Salmon		32	27	29	(DNC)	(DNC)	DNC	27	DNC	DNC	232
36	53	Elizabeth Le Mare		35	33	36	(DNC)	(DNC)	DNC	31	31	30	235
37	66	Lawrence Whittenham		36	34	(DNS)	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	33	32	RET	252
38	190	Cedric Jakobsen	Datchet Water SC	(DNC)	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	273