K1 Midland Area Trophy at Olton Mere Sailing Club
by Zoe Handley 26 Apr 2012 22:36 BST
21 April 2012
K1s at Olton Mere © Sue Butler, Olton Mere SC
The inaugural K1 Midland Area Trophy open took place on 21st April at Olton Mere Sailing Club, an attractive tree-lined water near Birmingham. Nine K1s travelled from seven clubs from as far afield as Windermere, Pennines and Wimbleball to take on this pond-sailing challenge.
The wind was variable and shifty for the first race with a shift at the start giving plenty of port bias that allowed Paul Handley of Chipstead SC to get clear of the fleet with a port-tack start. John Shimell from Chew Valley SC pursued ahead of Matt French from the host club. At the line it was Paul, John, Matt with Mike Deane from South Windermere SC fourth.
The fleet then returned to the club house and moored on the club's smart new pontoons for a lunch of Matt's baked potatoes.
The wind freshened with some passing black clouds and on the way out to the second race several boats were temporarily knocked down to a high angle in some strong gusts, but all made the start line with no capsizes thanks to the keel.
This time a wind shift at the start lead to starboard bias with Peter Crossley of Pennine SC taking advantage and getting away cleanly followed by Matt, Paul and Colin Allen of Wimbleball SC. After a couple of laps Paul passed Peter and held the lead to the finish, followed by Matt, John and Peter.
In the third race Matt, Neil Cooke of Tewkesbury SC and Paul were never more than a few boat lengths away from each other at the front of the fleet. Towards the end of the race the wind started to fade a little and couldn't decide where to blow from, making for an interesting last lap with the lead changing several times. Paul sneaked past Matt just before the finish with Neil third followed by Simon Jones of Wimbleball.
After the racing Paul Handley was awarded the new K1 Midland Area Trophy by Olton Mere's Commodore Andy Dixey, with second prize going to Matt French and third overall to John Shimell. The K1 Class would like to thank Olton Mere SC for a very enjoyable day and look forward to returning again. Next event is the K1 Oxford Cup at Oxford Sailing Club on Saturday 12th May, details on website, K1sailing.com
Overall Results: (top three)
1st Paul Handley (Chipstead SC)
2nd Matt French (Olton Mere SC)
3rd John Shimell (Chew Valley SC)