The Royal Torbay Yacht club were hosts to the K6s over four days in September. The fleet enjoy the waters of Torbay and were joined by a number of new faces and returning teams plus a couple of guest appearances of known pedigree. The race team did a great job getting all ten races in over the four days with only one black flag.
Probably the most difficult day was the very first, the wind direction battling between the sea breeze and the gradient. The first race got away in the light sea breeze. Peter Kirkby & Richard Barker got the first shift and took an early lead that they held on to the finish just as the wind threatened to switch. And Switch it did just before and abandoned second start. The fresh gradient wind kicked in and the fleet were treated to a good breeze and a very different race. Last years champion Dave Hall sailing with Alice Masterman & Bella Fellows took the win only after a good tussle with the boats that as it turned out were going to be the front runners.
Day 2 dawned with a fresh Westerly breeze over the cliffs making for the traditional snakes and ladders windward legs. It did not seem to bother Neil Fulcher & Jim Hunt who won all three races of the day. The minor places being filled by the local team of Steve & Ros Birbeck and Dave, Alice & Bella.
After racing the fleet were invited to the Church House Inn by local sailors Julian Cook and Caroline Aisher – a good night was had by all – many thanks Julian and Caroline!
The day was finished off with drinks before the class dinner on board Neil Fulcher’s boat and once again a good night was had by all.
An even earlier start for the final day and with a strong wind forecast it was still all to play for. However, the wind had not read the forecast and as the fleet drifted out to the start line the Race Officer put up the postponement to wait for the wind. Finally, it came through – but in patches.
The first race of the day was close – all the top teams changing places and taking turns at the lead. In the end it was Neil & Jim who just took the gun ahead of Steve & Ross and thus giving them the championship. The last race was about the rest of the places, Steve & Ross after a close battle with Dave, Alice & Bella won the final race and convincingly kept second place overall.
A great four days sailing with thanks to the Race team and all the club members that made it happen.