The K1 fleet made a welcome return to one of its favourite venues of Torbay, for the POSH regatta (Paignton Open for Single Handers). 2023 POSH served up perfect conditions for the K1s, with consequent excellent results (such are the vagaries of handicapping, that some classes are always favoured in certain conditions!), so reputations were firmly on the line for 2024!
The earlier forecasts predicted perfect conditions of bright sunshine, warmth and winds in the mid teens... As often found, the forecasts lied and while it was warm and sunny, the winds were light and patchy. A challenge to all, in the politest sense, but perhaps playing into the hands of the K1 fleet as favoured conditions?
With the forecast not looking great for Sunday the excellent PRO of Nick Ripley chose to try and run 4 races on Saturday which he did to great effect, just in time as the wind was dying at the end of race 4. The fleet launched into a steady gradient wind from the NE of 6-8 kts but the building sea breeze threatened to fight it all the way.
Overnight and overall it was a K1 1,2,3 in the overall results but many other classes very close behind on handicap, so all to play for on the Sunday. A very nice curry was provided by the host club and a great evening of banter and fun prevailed.
Sunday morning dawned with much tired bodies, some sore heads and some pessimism regarding the forecast.... But the tea and bacon butties were great.
The glorious sunshine prevailed and the PRO was confident in there being enough wind to complete all racing and went out to sea to search for it. His optimism was rewarded with a Solid 6kts slowly veering to the South.
Race 5 arrived and there was even some hard hiking up the first beat. These conditions again suited Richard and Ian, who shot out of the blocks to a strong lead. Ian went onto win, but Simon managed to overall Richard for second place and Jeremy in fourth.
For the last race, Simon lent his boat to local young gun sailor Luca Mitchell (who had broken his Aero again!), weighing in at less weight than our keel! In the very light breeze, with his skill, local knowledge and lack of ballast, he led from start to finish, just managing to hold off Andrew and Richard.
For the K1 open, we had Simon and Andrew both on 9 points! And so it came down to tie break in Simon's favour by virtue of his three 1st places. Jeremy rounded out the podium. The Veterans Trophy went to Richard Sims, the Seniors to Ian Duke and the Masters to Gordon Keyworth. Also congrats go to our first lady helm in her first multi class open, Liz le Mare, a very respectful 33rd out of 57 and improving all weekend.
Many thanks to Paignton for providing such a fun and well run event and we look forward to returning for another battle on the English Riviera in September for our Nationals, next door in Brixham.
Overall Results:
Pos Sail Helm Sailing Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Pts
1st 185 Simon Hawkes Castle Cove 1 1 1 4 2 (DNS) 9
2nd 97 Andrew Wilson Datchet 2 2 2 2 ‑5 2 10
3rd 120 Jeremy Hudson Frensham 3 4 3 1 4 ‑5 15
4th 180 Richard Sims Carsington ‑6 5 4 5 3 3 20
5th 170 Ian Duke Datchet 5 ‑6 6 3 1 6 21
6th 181 Chris Swallow Burton 4 3 5 ‑6 6 4 22
7th 129 Gordon Keyworth N/A 7 8 7 7 (DNS) 11 40
8th 53 Liz La Mare Porchester ‑9 9 9 9 7 7 41
9th 98 Cedric Jakobsen Datchet 8 7 8 8 (DNS) DNC 42
10th 1850 Luca Mitchell Paignton (DNS) DNC DNC DNC DNC 1 45
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