The 2022 K6 Inland Championships were held over the weekend of 3rd and 4th April at Oxford Sailing Club. Seven K6s took part with six races scheduled over the two days.
A chilly, light, northerly wind confronted race officer Miles Roebuck and competitors on the Saturday, making for shifty conditions across the reservoir. Race 1 saw locals Mike Trueman and James Bennett pull out an early lead upwind, consolidating it on the downwind. They were chased hard by daughter and father team Laura and Fraser Elms. The lead proved unassailable with Mike and James crossing the line over a minute clear of Laura and Fraser with Chris Pugh and his son third, just heading the K6s of Richard Payne and Tony Harper.
Race two, a very shifty affair. Laura and Fraser started well, worked clear of the fleet, taking full advantage of the shifts, avoiding the holes in the wind, and built a sizable lead. Behind them Harry and George Barker and Mike and James chased hard down the left side of the downwind on the final lap.
It proved a winning choice as Laura and Fraser, on the right, ran out of wind, recovering too late to prevent Mike and James from taking a second win, followed home by Harry and George.
Race three saw a wind shift which made for reaches up and down wind. It was won by Harry and George, followed in by Laura and Fraser with Mike and James third.
A delayed start Sunday morning, waiting for the forecast breeze to arrive, meant only one race was possible. Mike and James took the lead off the startline, closely followed by Harry and George. These two pulled away from the rest of the fleet and despite some gains by Harry and George, Mike and James maintained their lead to the finish, and with three wins, took the Championship.
Thanks go to Miles Roebuck and his team for efficient race management and safety cover. The K6 2022 programme now moves on to the Aldeburgh Sailing Club Open on 14/15th May.