K1 Scottish National Championship at Loch Lomond Sailing Club

K1 Scottish Nationals at Loch Lomond © Simon Cormack

Storm Amy brings the drama and double celebration for Carol Sims

The K1 fleet descended upon Loch Lomond Sailing Club for their Scottish National Championship over the weekend of October 4th-5th, 2025, as part of the club's annual Keelboat Weekend. Competitors battled more than just each other, with the looming threat of Storm Amy, forecast to make landfall on Friday night, adding a dramatic edge to the proceedings.

Pre-Race Challenges and Arrival

While a total of ten K1s had entered, a number of sailors made the prudent early decision to stay home given the forecast. Ultimately, five visiting boats joined the three local K1s on the water.

Travel proved to be an adventure in itself. Ian and Rosemary Duke of Datchet Water SC travelled from the furthest club. Richard and Carol Sims covered the longest distance, having spent the prior two weeks touring Scotland, including the Orkney Islands. Phil and Tricia Noak endured the longest single-day journey, a marathon 13-hour drive, after getting caught in a serious accident at Carlisle involving a lorry hitting a bridge.

The storm's arrival on Friday night was swift and severe. Ian and Rosemary Duke, attempting to return to the club, found the road from Drymen blocked by fallen trees. After turning back, they encountered a second tree that had fallen behind them, only partially blocking the road but requiring the resourceful pair to drag branches to clear a track large enough to pass.

Saturday: Blown Out, But Full of Spirit

Saturday dawned with winds blowing in excess of 50 knots, making racing impossible. Any slim hope quickly evaporated, and the flags and guns signaled a non-racing day, which was quickly followed by the announcement of the bar opening!

Despite the weather, the spirit of the Keelboat Weekend remained high. Tian and her team in the galley kept everyone well-fed throughout the day and into the evening for the legendary Loch Lomond Sailing Club Keelboat Weekend dinner.

Sunday: Racing Against the Elements

Optimism was high on Sunday morning. Though winds remained above 30 knots, the forecast predicted that Storm Amy would pass further to the North East, allowing the wind to ease later in the day. The postponement flag was still flying, but the Race Team, led by Race Officer Steven Couch, prepared for action.

K1 Scottish Nationals at Loch Lomond - photo © Simon Cormack

The K1 fleet continues to go from strength to strength at Loch Lomond, highlighted by club member Alistair Colvin's commitment to join the class as soon as he can secure a boat—a testament to the boat's popularity, which saw a record number of entries at this year's Nationals.

The postponement flag came down with the first real lull in 48 hours, but with white horses still decorating the loch, some crews chose to stay ashore. Five K1s and a number of Flying Fifteens prepared to venture out, with the start boat pitching and rolling dramatically.

K1 Scottish Nationals at Loch Lomond - photo © Simon Cormack

The Races

Unfortunately, Phil Noak sustained damage to his mast track and was forced to retire. Local helm Fergus Duncanson and Doug McCusker ventured out but decided to return to shore and wait for the winds to abate further.

Richard Sims wins the K1 Scottish Nationals at Loch Lomond - photo © Ian Duke

As the wind continued to ease, Doug and Fergus rejoined the action for the third and final race of the day.

Sims Double-Celebration

Back ashore, a delighted Carol Sims had reason to be exceptionally proud. While husband Richard Sims was crowned the K1 Scottish National Champion for the first time, son Michael Sims was simultaneously winning the Endeavour Trophy at Burnham on Crouch. Both were massive achievements for the Sims family, though the bragging rights went to Michael for securing the physically larger trophy!

A huge thank you goes to Steven Couch and all the volunteers at Loch Lomond SC for successfully running a fabulous weekend despite the ferocious presence of Storm Amy. Gratitude is also extended to Ovington's for sponsoring the K1 event and the Traveller Series.

The next and final event for the K1s is at Broxbourne SC on Saturday, October 25th. See you all there!

Overall Results: