Craftinsure K6 National Championship 2024 at Royal Lymington Yacht Club

The western Solent and Royal Lymington YC were the fine venues for this year's K6 Nationals, sponsored by Craftinsure. Nine races were held over three days in what was forecast to be light wind.

Friday began with little or no wind prompting an hour's postponement from the scheduled 12.55 start. A sea breeze saved the day and racing began later than planned with the tide flowing with the wind towards the leeward mark.

Race 1, clean start by the fleet. An early tack onto port sailing close to the shore avoiding the tide was the fast track upwind, taking full advantage of the tide further out on the downwind. George and Bertie Barker (K6 209) just fended off Lawrence Crispin and Hector Cisneros (K6 201) for the win. Down the order the racing was very close with three boats abreast on the line for 5th place with Dave Hall, Maria Richards and Paul Constable (K6 142) unfortunate to hit the finish mark for a DNF.

Up front the pattern was set for race two with Team Barker taking a second win with Richard Harvey, Kate Franklin and Mick Steer (K6 113) in second and team Hall in third; Lawrence and Hector finishing in 5th ahead of Neil Fulcher and Stuart Pinch (K6 222).

For race 3 the improving Team Hall came home 1st with Team Barker second and Lawrence and Hector third. Overnight leaders were George and Bertie followed by Lawrence and Hector in second and a tie for third place between Team Harvey and Team Fulcher.

Day 2, clear skies, building sea breeze, no postponement needed today.

Race 4: the tide was now running in the opposite direction driving three boats over at the start. The Race Officer had set a starboard rounding of marks due to the tide, so from the start the way to go was out left into the main channel, tacking towards the top mark but keeping towards the shore on the downwind, to avoid the oncoming current. Neil and Lawrence made best use of the conditions in 1st and 2nd with Richard Harvey in 3rd and Team Barker in 4th.

With the strength of the tide moderating during the afternoon race 5 saw the fleet split upwind which made for some very tight group roundings of the leeward mark. Team Harvey crossing the line in 1st, Lawrence in 2nd and Team Fulcher in 3rd. Team Barker making up the top four.

A similar story for race 6 won this time by Lawrence, George closely in second, Richard in 3rd and Team Hall in 4th. In accordance with the Sailing Instructions the Race Officer chose to run an additional final race of the day leaving just 2 races for the Sunday. Race 7 reverted to port roundings as the tidal effect had reduced. This took most of the fleet on port tack upwind, closer to the shoreline and into an area populated with lobster pots. There was an inevitability that some in the fleet would sail too close and so it proved with Team Hall and Team Harvey both becoming impaled on the lines. The race was won by Team Barker with Lawrence and Hector in second, Team Fulcher third and Toby and Mark Woodings (K6 165) in 4th.

At the end of a long second day's racing in wonderfully sunny and breezy conditions the top two, George and Lawrence, were separated by just one point with Richard in third just ahead of Neil by one point. All to play for!

Day 3, 11.25 first warning signal for the final two races and despite the early start the sea breeze had arrived early. So in bright sunlight race 8 saw a westerly tide running against the wind. The Championship had come down to the last two races. Would Team Barker keep their narrow lead or would Lawrence and Hector triumph? There was also tight racing for the third podium spot between Team Harvey and Neil Fulcher; it promised a close finish.

Race 8: Clear start by everyone, most keeping to starboard to use the tide towards a starboard rounding at the top mark. Yet again lobster pots were affecting the unwary, grey buoys didn't exactly highlight where they were until too late! Team Barker was hunting down leaders Lawrence and Hector but failed to with Team Harvey in pursuit. At the finish Lawrence maintained his lead to take the win, Team Barker in second, Team Harvey third and Team Fulcher in fourth. The win tied the scores between the top two. Team Harvey's third place was not enough to secure third overall, that too would go down to the last race.

Race 9: two laps to decide it all. Good clear start by all, this time port roundings at the marks as the tide had moderated. Lawrence took an early lead and lead at the top mark chased hard by Team Barker. Downwind Lawrence heated it up in an attempt to draw away, however Team Barker chose to go deep. As the leeward mark approached Team Barker managed an slight overlap on Lawrence and Hector holding them out on starboard before finally gybing towards the mark, rounding it in first place. The Barkers managed to hold off Lawrence and Hector up the final beat, crossing the line in first place and taking the Championship. Breathless stuff! With Team Harvey home in fourth, they secured the final podium place despite Neil and Stuart coming home in third. Five different race winning teams, close racing throughout the fleet and unexpectedly good conditions can't wait for 2025 Nationals at Stone SC.

Huge thanks to the race team for setting great courses in challenging conditions, Royal Lymington YC for hosting the event and to Craftinsure for their support and commitment to the Class.

Overall Results: