K1 End of Season Open and National Travellers Trophy conclusion at Broxbourne Sailing Club
by Hilly King 1 Nov 08:58 NZDT
26 October 2024
The last K1 open meeting of the season is always held at Broxbourne Sailing Club who are fantastic hosts and this year was no exception. Twenty boats entered the open meeting on 26th October and looked forward to Mother Nature providing her normal sunshine and breeze.
However the eager competitors, together with interested parties watched in awe as the predicted wind literally evaporated from the forecasts to nothing during the preceding week! Not to be deterred the vast majority who had entered duly arrived at Broxbourne to verify the accuracy of the forecast. We are an optimistic bunch in the K1 fleet so all boats are rigged, some launched, ready for the breeze to fill in and the limp postponement flag to be removed! On top of the open meeting there was the National Travellers Trophy to be concluded. This year was a very close series which could easily provide place changes once Broxbourne results were added to the mix. The Race officer Robin Fletcher, together with Organiser David Hume and our Class President Jeremy Hudson collectively agreed an early lunch was called for and then surely the wind would materialise? Broxbourne laid on a splendid lunch followed by pudding and cakes which everyone enjoyed. A chance to chat over with others your boat settings and consider whether it was time to invest in a stunning new Ovington available now in a colour of your choice. (Well Christmas will soon be here). Geoff King's boat took itself from the jetty it was resting against and was the only boat to move independently all day, which won him the spot prize, formally known as the flag of shame!
After performing all voodoo known to man it was clear no racing would be held, so the event was sensibly cancelled.
The National Trophy standings would remain and as always was an extremely close run series. Jeremy Hudson thanked everyone for coming, Broxbourne for wonderful hospitality despite the lack of wind and commented on how brilliant 2024 has been for the K1 Class. He informed us of the increase in numbers at our open events, the record number of Class Association members and the number of new boats being manufactured. We are a Class represented across the globe with boats and members in Australia, Europe and the USA.
Ovington have promised another new boat for display at the RYA Dinghy Show in 2025 and they will be also displaying the K1 in Denmark and Germany.
Jeremy then presented the National Travellers Trophy prizes which were as always sponsored by Ovington boats and Craftinsure. Geoff King was third overall, Jeremy Hudson second overall and our worthy winner was Richard Sims.
Ian Duke (Events and Webmaster) was then asked to present an overview for 2025.
Ian firstly gave us the dates of our Open Events which start with Barnt Green SC on 15th March 2025. He explained there will be mini series which will cover Northern, Southern and Midland regions and as in previous years the National Travellers Trophy.
Ian also explained that for 2025 there would be a "Beat your Predicted Place"prize at each open meeting so the competitor who beats their predicted place by the greatest margin would win. The results from your open meeting finishes will be constantly updated to provide your predicted place. A chance for everyone, except maybe Simon Hawkes to improve and win. (recommendations please to Ian Duke to name this prize)
The Inland and Sea National Championships, are to be held at Carsington SC and WPNSA respectfully in 2025 and together with the overall winners we will have age category trophies to present.
Ian also outlined a proposal to run a K1 rally in the Lakes in 2025 which will be held between the open meeting being held at South Windermere SC and the open meeting at Bartley SC the following weekend.
Please visit our website, www.k1association.co.uk for more details on events and the K1 Dinghy.
Trial sails can be arranged at many clubs around the country so please get in touch if you wish to try a very special boat.