K1 End of Season Trophy at Broxbourne Sailing Club

K1 End of Season Trophy at Broxbourne © Pip Hudson

K1 End of Season Trophy at Broxbourne © Pip Hudson

K1 End of Season Trophy at Broxbourne © Pip Hudson

Saturday 30th October marked the end of a busy if truncated season for the K1 fleet, post Covid, which included a very successful Nationals event at Portland in early September.

Broxbourne has usually staged the last event in the K1 annual traveller calendar and this traditionally on the eve of the autumn clock push back.

Eight visitors from Lyme Regis, Rutland, Weir Wood, Frensham Pond and Datchet Water travelled through heavy rain, to join members of the local fleet to rig their boats in a downpour, with scant sign of a breeze.

There was some welcome relief in the clubhouse around the coffee urn, and to renew friendships during registration. Just prior to the competitor briefing the rain ceased and a breeze built from the south west pushing scudding clouds down the lake, and allowing for welcome glimpses of blue sky and sunshine.

The race team skilfully laid a course with two windward marks, the first led to a downwind leg using the whole length of the water, the second windward mark led to two reaches that brought the fleet back to the start finish area.

Soon the fleet of 13 competitors were jockeying for a good start to their first race. First round the windward mark was last years winner Ian Duke, followed by Jason King, Jeremy Hudson and Hilly King. Ian extended his lead in the early part of this race, his followers falling back whilst tussling for position. This resolved in favour of Jeremy, who then led the chase.

Mid race on a windward leg a very favourable shift lifted the chasing 3 significantly above Ian's cover and he was suddenly demoted to 4th. He responded well but was unable catch Jeremy, who took the bell for this first race.

After a lunch break the second race was held under a bright blue sunny autumn sky, but with less wind. Jeff VB from Lyme was the first to round and head down the long run. Unfortunately for Jeff the mark he had chosen to round was not marked with a course flag, this resulted in an expletive moment and a visit to the back of the fleet. Jeremy then initially led from Ian and an improving Angelo Russo from the home club. But a very determined Ian broke through and took the bell for the second race.

K1 End of Season Trophy at Broxbourne - photo © Pip Hudson

The final race was held in a slightly stronger but very shifty breeze, the approach to the windward mark required some patience, but once round, it was essential to lock into a downwind channel that avoided cover from behind. Jason King and Angelo from the home club lead round the first mark followed by Jeremy. A very determined Angelo moved into the lead, only to be passed by Jeremy at the last windward turn. Jeremy held on to take the race and the event.

The K1 build has recently been taken over by Ovington and there were three smart examples of new builds with their slightly revised deck moulds, competing at Broxbourne. There has been keen interest in the K1 single hander post lockdown. It has a modern carbon spar rig and mylar sails, whilst the fine lines of the attractive hull are proving able to carry a broad range of crew weight, from 11 to 20 stones plus, competitively in most conditions either on lakes or on coastal waters. The cleverly designed keel arrangement ensures that you can concentrate fully on your racing, rather than waste opportunity recovering from mishaps at those gusty leeward marks.

Overall Results: