K1 Northern Trophy at Carsington Sailing Club

Alf Receiving receiving the RYA Impact Award during the K1 Northern Trophy at Carsington © Ian Duke

Simon Hawkes wins the K1 Northern Trophy at Carsington © Ian Duke

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A strong fleet of twenty K1 dinghy sailors from across the country converged on Carsington Sailing Club for the Northern Trophy, enjoying a weekend defined by close racing, great camaraderie, and a full spectrum of testing conditions that showcased the true versatility of the class.

Proceedings began on Friday with a well-attended training session led by class guru Simon Hawkes, supported by Ian Duke. Ashore, the fleet gathered for a relaxed evening meal at a local pub, setting the tone for the friendly and inclusive spirit that would carry through the weekend.

Saturday delivered a robust and steadily building breeze, peaking with gusts into the high 30-knot range. In challenging conditions, the fleet managed a single race before the race officer made the prudent decision to stand down for the day. The race was expertly won by Simon Hawkes, ahead of Richard Sims in second and Andrew Wilson in third. The day concluded with a thoroughly enjoyable class dinner in the clubhouse.

Sunday brought sunshine at dawn, though Carsington Water soon reminded competitors of its reputation for variety. Winds ranged from 10 to over 30 knots, accompanied by a mix of sunshine, rain, and even hail—delivering all four seasons in a single day. The race team rose to the occasion, completing three high-quality races.

Consistency across the series secured overall victory and the Northern Trophy for Simon Hawkes, with Andrew Wilson taking second and local sailor Richard Sims third.

In the Beat Your Predicted Place (BYPP) competition, Julian Leggitt delivered an outstanding performance to take first place, followed by Chris Cooney in second and Chris Swallow in third.

At the prize-giving, special recognition was given to class stalwart Alf Hawkesworth, who was acknowledged for his outstanding contribution to the sport. Having been nominated by the K1 Class Association and Carsington Sailing Club, he has recently received recognition from the Royal Yachting Association—a fitting tribute to his long-standing dedication to sailing.

The event underlined the enduring appeal of the K1: a boat equally at home in heavy weather and shifty inland conditions, rewarding skill while fostering a uniquely supportive and social fleet atmosphere.

Overall Results: