The 2019 K6 championship was held from Weymouth Sailing Club with courses in the Bay.

A blustery day greeted the fleet for the first day. It was touch and go whether or not to go with a forecast of an increasing wind. However, the competitors went for it and had two very lively races before the big breeze really kicked in. There was plenty of action through the fleet as well as some early retirements.

The usual suspects fought it out at the front with a number of new teams all showing their faces until various incidents such as broaches caught them out. Three races were scheduled but after two it was decided that it would be better for the fleet get ashore and save their energy and pride for the following days. The brothers Birbeck won the first race convincingly but were pipped on the line for the second race by Dave Hall, Alice Masterman & Bella Fellows.

A much calmer second day. A light and very shifty North westerly blew across a very flat Weymouth bay.

With the differences in pressure and shifts across the race track it was hard to defend and any lead was easily be lost. Winners for the 3 races were Neil Fulcher & Richard Tucker, Mike Trueman with James Bennett & Richard Payne and the current leaders Steve & Ross Birbeck.

After the 2 days it was tight at the top with the Birbecks and team Hall- it was going to be right down to the wire for the last two races on the final day The forecast was spot on for the last day. A light Easterly slowly vanished as the fleet sat out in Weymouth Bay. After an hours postponement the race team got a the first race away in a light south westerly. Peter Kirkby & Richard Barker got away with the pack close behind. The wind was increasing and downwind it all got a bit frantic as the boats closed up at the bottom gate. With the wind increase came a shift and the races was shortened at the top mark. Peter & Richard stayed in front to take the win with Dave, Alice & Bella sneaking in at the finish to take second.

Going in to the last race the championship was going to be decided between the Birbeck Brothers and the team of Dave, Alice & Bella. Both boats got a good start and took out a healthy lead. It was cat and mouse all the way round with Steve & Ross just getting the edge until a fluffed spinnaker drop let Dave and the girls through to win the race and the championship. Mike Truemans team just held onto the third after a late surge from Nick Jones & Steve Dewbury.

A great and very mixed three days sailing well run by Weymouth SC alongside their yacht regatta, so a big thanks to the club and the race team.

1st Dave Hall, Alice Masterman & Bella Fellows

2nd Steve & Ross Birbeck

3rd Mike Trueman, James Bennett & Richard Payne

Report by Dave Hall Pics by © Phil Jackson / www.digitalsailing.co.uk