K1 Open at Wimbleball Sailing Club
by John Shimell on 7 Apr 2012
K1 Open 2012 at Wimbleball SC Mike Rice,
www.fotoboat.com and BFA
The K1 Open at Wimbleball Sailing Club was held on March 17th 2012. The first race saw the top three boats break free - Jeff, John Shimell from Chew Valley and Simon Jones, Wimbleball commodore and Flying Fifteen helm as well as K1 owner - stayed close enough to swap the lead several times before Jeff just squeezed ahead of Simon at the line. The following boats also enjoyed some close racing but were in a different wind pattern, always a feature on Lake Wimbleball, and unable to close the gap.
The next race saw some powerful squalls blow across the lake, with Jeff and Simon coping best and finishing well ahead. Local sailor Colin Allen took third place closely followed by John and Mike Green from Wimbleball SC.
The final short race took place in a dying breeze with Jeff resting on his laurels with two bullets. John managed to find a breath of wind and finished just ahead of Simon with Terry Hand from Northants SC third.
The final results saw Jeff the clear winner on two points and John second, sharing four points with Simon but with the win in the last race to leave Simon in third place.
The fascinating Exmoor Beastie took place the following day, a gruelling three hour pursuit to test body and soul with the local ‘Beast’ Ale for prizes. Six K1s participated in mixed conditions and Jeff led the charge with a very creditable 12th place in a very strong 68-boat fleet. Simon Hawkes, who won the Beastie last year in his K1, again took the top spot but this year sailing a Phantom.
Prizes and thanks all round ended some most enjoyable racing at a very friendly club in a beautiful location – the K1s are looking forward to returning next year.
Results: K1 Open, top three
1st - Jeff Vander-borght, Lyme Regis SC
2nd - John Shimell, Chew Valley SC
3rd – Simon Jones, Wimbleball
K1 Sailing website
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