K1 Open at South Windermere Sailing Club
by Mike Deane 18 Jun 2011 09:50 PDT
11 June 2011
The first ever K1 open event on Lake Windermere was held last weekend (Saturday 11th of June). Hosted by South Windermere Sailing Club, who’s base is within the National Trust’s beautiful Fell Foot Park, the location stunned the newcomers to the Lakes, many of whom had taken a long weekend to explore the National Park, as well as take part in the second K1 open meeting of 2011, a class which is becoming increasingly competitive.
Nine sailors took part in a three race series, which was won by Jeff VanderBorght, who’s company assembles the K1s, so should know a bit about getting the best speed from the new keel boat. In race 1, Peter Crossley gave Jeff a good race for first position, places changed regularly but finally, Jeff finished just ahead of Peter. Local sailors Mike Deane and Joe Marsland exchanged places with Geoff Worrall in a tight group, eventually Mike pulled clear to grab third spot, Geoff fourth and Joe fifth. After race 1, the fleet headed back to Fell Foot for lunch.
Races 2 and 3 were run back to back, with Jeff VanderBorght and Peter Crossley again fighting for first spot. Race 2 saw Jeff just managing to take Peter on the line – Peter needs to sharpen his match racing techniques.... Minor placings in race 2 again saw Mike Deane in third, closely followed by Peter Thomas and Terry Hand. Geoff Worral and Joe Marsland followed them over the line. Jeff V returned his K1 to Fell Foot as soon as he crossed the line, and handed the boat to Paul Handley, the K1’s designer. Luckily for Paul, rapidly changing winds on the start line for race 3 led to a general recall, giving him time to join the fleet for the restart.
In race 3 Peter Crossly and Mike Deane made a good start, and fought hard to the first buoy, but Paul had started well too, and managed to round first, then leading the fleet all the way to win the last race. Mike and Peter Thomas resumed their battle for the minor placings, leaving Peter Crossley in a comfortable (and consistent) second place. Mike also showed consistency in the end, scoring third in all races. Joe Marsland, using his years of experience with Lake Windermere’s fickle winds, managed to slot his K1 into fourth , just ahead of Peter Thomas.
When the returned to Fell Foot Park, SWSC hosted a social event to welcome the K1 sailors, a barbecue on the shores of Lake Windermere. Just a couple of weeks short of midsummer, the K1 sailors agreed it could not have been a more idyllic setting.
The following day was SWSC’s annual Waterhead race, and the K1 fleet were all invited to participate in the only chance to race one lap of Lake Windermere. This year’s event was distinctly unusual, with light winds in the South of the lake, and strong winds once the fleet was North of Bowness. Mike Deane has established the K1 challenge time for the Waterhead race: 5 hours, 16 minutes and 38 seconds. Paul Handley, who but for ‘flu would have participated in the Waterhead race has promised to take up the challenge in 2012. SWSC looks forward to welcoming the K1s next year.
Thanks to all the helpers at South Windermere SC for organizing a great event and thanks also to Rose Bugler for taking photos of the event, some of which can be seen at wildsalmonproductions.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/welcome-to-south-windermere-the-k1-open/