K6 National Championship 2020 at Royal Torbay Yacht Club

K6 Nationals at Torbay © Jean Border / www.borderphotos2010.com

The K6 championship was held over a long weekend of the 11th - 13th September. Over the three days, nine races took place in a light to moderate breeze - with plenty of sunshine.

Confirmed only a couple of weeks before, the RTYC made the fleet extremely welcome and, with strict guidelines in place, the event went off without a hitch. It was good to see some newcomers to the fleet even if it was a small fleet - but we all know the reason for that.

Friday's first race was delayed after the start was abandoned following a big wind shift and drop. Once the wind settled 3 races were fired off in a light south westerly breeze. At the end of the day it was clear who the front runners were going to be, Neil Fulcher crewed by Jim Hunt put in two firsts with the local team of Steve & Ross Birbeck taking the other race. The newly fired up team of Dave & Jon Gorringe also putting in a good show to end the day third. Last year's winner Dave Hall went for 3-up again but this time with Graham Hoy and Bekka Sobeck, unfortunately it was looking the wrong call with the lighter winds forecast all weekend.

K6 Nationals at Torbay - photo © Jean Border / www.borderphotos2010.com

Saturday came with an increase of wind which in typical Torbay fashion served up its traditional shifts and holes. Neil & Jim once again put their foot down taking two races. The day also saw Class chairman Peter Kirkby crewed by Richard Barker put in their second 2nd; they looked like building a good series. The two boats with brothers Birbeck and brothers Gorringe still keeping the pressure on with top 2 positions. Although the wind was not that strong all the time, there were some random gusts which caught a few boats out on the leg to the finish with some lively broaching making some interesting viewing for the safety boats and race committee.

On Saturday evening the club held a socially distanced class dinner with tables spread out in the large Corinthian room, Peter Kirkby could not do his usual amusing speech but did express the classes thanks to the club for the efforts they had gone to the make the event happen.

Going into the final day Neil & Jim had a healthy lead but 2nd and 3rd were still on their heels and the championship was still open. After a 2-hour postponement an Easterly 10 knot breeze filled in and the fleet were treated to 3 glorious races in sunshine. Neil & Jim got into gear with a 1st and a 2nd giving them the championship, Steve & Ross found their go button to take two 1sts giving them the runner up prize. Peter & Richard had another good day pulling up into 4th overall with some good downwind work.

K6 Nationals at Torbay - photo © Jean Border / www.borderphotos2010.com

A big thanks must go to the Royal Torbay YC who went out of their way to make the event happen. Special thanks go to PRO Bob Penfold and his team, plus all the onshore staff and volunteers. With Torquay being exceptionally busy for the time of year beach master Richard Walden kept everyone in order and the team even had the trolleys ready when the fleet came in.

The K6 fleet looks forward to returning.

Overall Results: