K6 Open at Itchenor Sailing Club

Itchenor laid on sunshine, tight racing, afternoon cake and a great dinner for the second K6 open meeting of the season. On the water, Andy Fitzgerald and his race team did a great job of managing to set true courses in fickle breeze and strong tide.

The first of the seven races saw Pyers Tucker and Dave Mossman wearing the biggest smiles as they picked the best breeze and won with Ian Robson and Simon Tonks in second. National Champions and HISC locals Dave Hitchcock and Ian Nicholson got the bit between their teeth and won the following two races with dad and son combo Lawrence and Luka taking the fourth race of the day following a nice shift to the south as the sea breeze decided to kick-in. The award for consistency of the day went to Nick Jones and Mike Butler who recorded four eighths... they wouldn't have wanted it any other way!

Cake, FA Cup Final and a three course dinner that only Itchenor could do ensured the smiles off the water were as large as those on...other than for Luka who lost a £100 bet on Hull winning. A special toast went to Terry who was making a rare but welcome return to the circuit having been involved with the fleet from the very beginning.

The fleet got a lie-in on Sunday morning as we waited for enough water to be able to launch. The breeze had shifted south, so the course was now across the river which called for a big decision as to whether you crossed the tide early and beat up against it on the south shore or used the north shore and crabbed across to the mark. Ian and Simon called it right and took the first race with Lawrence and Luka in close pursuit. Ian Nicholson now had the stick in his hand and was crewed by Peter Bannister sailing a K6 for the first time after David fell ill over night. They looked good to win the first race until Peter Kirkby and Richard Barker pipped them on the line by half a length having made a lot of distance sailing bigger angles with more speed against the tide.

It looked like Ian would the bridesmaid again in the last race as Nick and Mike showed their east coast grit and led for much of the race. However, Ian wasn't going to give-up easily and showed that whether he's sitting at the sharp end or guesting at the back he knows how to make a boat go, and he and first timer Peter overhauled Nick and Mike to take the final race and the weekend overall.

Overall Results:

Next stop: Aldeburgh SC on 28/29 June

The weekend has been chosen for its early afternoon high tides, so easy launching and recovery and more river! Early PM start on Saturday and early PM finish on Sunday to suit visitors. There will be drinks and supper at the Club on Saturday evening and you can add the usual stuff about legendary fish and chips and honest Adnams plus good shopping and other attractions for non-sailors.

Between some of the home fleet we are hoping to accommodate most visitors – some are reserved in already - or at least assist with accommodation which I will co-ordinate, so please contact Nick on or 07967 103562.

More information on the K6 website, under Events.