Blowing the cobwebs off the K6 fleet after the winter was taken a bit too literality for the hardy boats that turned out for the Queen Mary event for the first event of the season on 18-19 March.

Starting a month earlier than last year, day one conditions could only be described as cold and blustery, a sturdy 24kt breeze along with 28kt gusts was going to make for an interesting day.

In race one everyone got off to a clean start with the fleet spread across the entire line. By the first mark it was looking like it was going to be a battle royal for old sailing partners Ian Schenkel and Gareth Watkins swapping the lead several times throughout the race.

Schenkel in 145 with helmsman Dave Cummins ended up taking the win whilst Watkins with Felicity Barnet and Rob Chaplin in 102 took second.

Race two saw several retirements due to the punishing conditions that affected both boats and crew. However, this did not stop Jonathan Calascione and Miles Mence who teamed up in 156 from getting a cracking start and leading the fleet to the first mark. An unkind shift meant they ended up conceding several places, but in grand style they battled their way back through the fleet to finish in second.

By race three all of the crews were definitely feeling the strain and the collective sigh of relief when the race officer again shortened the course could almost be heard above the howling wind!

All of the praying (or swearing) to the weather gods must have paid off as day two bought a pleasant and welcome change to London’s weather and gave plenty of sunshine and fortunately not as much breeze. With aching muscles from day one the fleet again hit the water to battle it out.

Race one provided another few nail biting rounds with the familiar pairing of Nicolson and Hitchcock in 155 finally having a trouble free race and finishing in a solid third place (although this time it was Jamie Hitchcock in the boat for the weekend instead of dad Dave).

With the breeze in race two dropping off it was a matter of playing the sometimes frustrating Queen Mary shifts. The local pairing of Cummins and Schenkel in 145 managed to secure their fifth straight bullet to win the event.

Race three then became the decider for second place, and even though Watkins and crew in 102 put in a great race it was eventually Calascione and Mence in 156 who took the win.

Overall Results

1st 145 (Mildly Moist) – Dave Cummins, Ian Schenkel – Queen Mary
2nd 156 (Take Two) – Jonathan Calascione, Miles Mence – Queen Mary
3rd 102 (Rule 2) – Gareth Watkins, Felicity Barnet, Rob Chaplin – Queen Mary
4th 162 – Ian Robson, Sandi Johnson – Aldeburgh
5th 155 – Ian Nicholson, Jamie Hitchcock – Hayling Island
6th 119 (Red McGregor) – Terry Wilkinson, J Mencher – Queen Mary