Ovington Boats K1 Midlands Traveller Series at Rutland Sailing Club

Rutland Sailing Club were the hosts for the third of the Ovington open meetings in the K1 Midlands Traveller Series on 5/6th July 2025 which was shared with the F1 National Championships.

The weather forecasts predicted a lively weekend with gusting winds, high temperatures and sunshine, so thirteen intrepid sailors registered for the event. On Saturday the wind was as predicted lively with average wind speed of 14-18 mph and gusts of up to 25mph.

Temperatures were high with sun and cloudy conditions, in short a perfect day for some of the K1 sailors and a challenge for others. The race officer Don Monro set an excellent trapezoid course with the K1 setting off first on the outer loop with the F1 second on the inner loop.

Ovington Boats K1 Midlands Traveller Series at Rutland - photo © Penny King

The first race was a challenge with the fleet spreading out up the first beat. Five sailors were in contention for the top spot at the windward mark. The first reach and run was closely fought with Richard Sims pulling away with Leighton King hot on his tail. The remaining three sailors had a closely fought battle for the remainder of the race with Jeremy leading a procession of the fleet to the finish.

The race officer was quick off the mark starting race two before the F1 had started to finish which was appreciated by the fleet. The start was closely fought in the stormy winds all the way along the line and once again the fleet spread out up the beat. This time Leighton King arrived at the windward mark first and managed to get away from the chasing pack.

Over the next two laps the lead of those chasing changed hands several times. On the third beat Martyn Emberson moved from fourth place to second and managed to hold his place on a testing final run. Further down the fleet there were different battles being fought out. A wide variation in finishing positions was noted in comparison to the first race.

So to the third race, where unfortunately Martyn had to depart to attend domestic duties. Jeremy once again nailed the start, first beat and reach only to be quickly overhauled on the downwind leg. The wind was quite fierce for this race with a nasty chop developing and our lightweight National champion Graham Butler showed remarkable speed in the blustery conditions to prove that you don't have to eat lots of pies to compete in a K1 when it is windy. At the finish Richard achieved another bullet, closely followed by Leighton and Jeremy.

On the conclusion of racing all sailors were tired and made their way back to the beach feeling the effects of a strenuous day on the water. An evening BBQ and social was much enjoyed with the tales of strong wind sailing increasing with every round of drinks.

Ovington Boats K1 Midlands Traveller Series at Rutland - photo © Penny King

Sunday arrived and the conditions could not have been more different with shifty to almost no wind at all with heavy rain. The decision was made to postpone the fourth race in the hope that the wind would build and settle in one direction. The sailors from all over the country drank tea and caught up on past events, whilst looking forward to those to come, particularly the nationals at WPNSA in September.

The Race Officer in conjunction with the class made the excellent and later proved correct decision to call the end to racing early, so that the prize-giving could get under way and the sailors get on the road home.

Richard Sims, overall winner - Ovington Boats K1 Midlands Traveller Series at Rutland - photo © Chris Swallow

Richard Sims tied on points with Leighton King but took the win by virtue of his two bullets. Jeremy Hudson took the third spot.

The K1 class run a 'Beat Your Predicted Place' (BYPP) handicap system and this was won by local sailor and class legend David Pritchett with Chris Cooney in second place and Geoff King in third.

David Pritchett, winner of 'Beat Your Predicted Place' - Ovington Boats K1 Midlands Traveller Series at Rutland - photo © Chris Swallow

Jeremy Hudson extended his thanks to the Race Officer and all the dedicated volunteers at Rutland Sailing Club for a fabulous day of racing.

The next event is at Bala Sailing Club on the 23rd & 24th August followed by the Nationals at WPNSA on the 5th to 7th September.

Overall Results: