K1 Open at Datchet Water Sailing Club

Ian Duke wins the Datchet K1 Open © Hilly King

Graham Butler finishes 2nd in the Datchet K1 Open © Hilly King

Jeremy Hudson finishes 3rd in the Datchet K1 Open © Hilly King

The latest K1 Open meeting was held over the weekend of 3rd/4th July at Datchet Water Sailing Club. The forecast for the weekend was extremely changeable from very light winds to potential thunderstorms.

Ian Duke welcomed competitors on behalf of Datchet Water SC who were delivering their boats to the club on the Friday evening. The fabulous stretch of water was bathed in sunshine and with the backdrop of Windsor Castle was simply idyllic.

Saturday saw the rest of the competitors arrive and the winds thankfully slightly stronger than was forecast. Three back to back races were planned and Race officer Steve Hale, together with assistant Ian Atkinson skilfully set the courses and ensured the fleet had the best of the available wind.

Race one got away with Ian Duke and Graham Butler developing a lead over the chasing pack. By the end of the first lap Ian and Graham were still clear but now another pair of Jeremy Hudson and Geoff King also broke away from the chasing fleet. At the finish Graham took the bullet followed closely by Ian and Jeremy just pipped Geoff for third.

The second race started in still light winds but less patchy than the first race after the start line was reset. David Hume went off on a port tack flyer and by the windward mark was comfortably clear of the rest of the fleet. Ian led the chasing pack closely followed by Jason King and Graham. Despite Ian reducing David's lead, he had led the race from the start and deserved the bullet. Ian took second and after a tussle Graham took third from Jason.

The last race of the day started in fresher conditions and saw Ian and Hilly King fighting it out at the front. The chasing pack was led by Jason and Jeremy but they never really closed the gap enough. Place changes throughout the fleet were numerous as large gains could be made by catching the correct shift. At the finish Ian took the gun followed by Hilly and Jeremy just beat Jason to take third.

After celebrating England's success in the Euros the fleet gathered for a further three back to back races on Sunday morning. The predicted thunderstorms never materialised and the fleet was greeted to light winds with sunny periods.

The first race was led by Geoff who played the shifts perfectly for the first lap and a half, but with large holes in the wind staying in pressure was essential. Graham and Jason continued to be fast in the conditions and gradually pulled past Geoff. Graham and Jason continued to swap places over the last two off wind legs and at the finish Graham took the bullet followed by Jason and Geoff in third.

The second race saw Ian deliver the perfect race in still light breezes despite dark clouds passing overhead. Ian was able to hold his lead from first Jeremy, then Jason and Geoff all coming close as the wind shifted across the race area. The chasing pack changed places regularly but at the finish Ian took the bullet followed by Jeremy and Jason in third.

With the meeting still in the balance the breeze increased slightly for the last race. At the windward mark Graham led from Jeremy and Hilly giving Frensham the first three places, however as Graham and Jeremy pulled away Ian was working his way through the fleet very quickly. At the front a battle royal was taking place which eventually went to Jeremy closely followed by Graham and Ian took third and with it the meeting.

The overall winner was Ian Duke from Datchet Water Sailing Club, second Graham Butler and Jeremy Hudson third, both from Frensham Pond Sailing Club.

Other prize winners were Jason King from Broxbourne, Geoff King from Tewkesbury and Julian Leggett from Weir Wood.

Everyone agreed Datchet and particularly the race officers had put on a fabulous event in challenging conditions. The K1 fleet are now preparing for the National Championships to be held in Weymouth.

Overall Results: