Steve Nicholson Memorial Trophy 2023 raises £1,500 at Northampton Sailing Club
by Steve Hopkins & Iain Carpenter 2 Mar 2023 16:45 GMT
11 February 2023
The Steve Nicholson Trophy is a key open meeting in the UK winter sailing calendar, held annually at Northampton Sailing Club this year's event took place on 11th February. It raised over £1,500 for Asthma & Lung UK in memory of Steve Nicholson, a young, popular and talented sailor at Northampton who tragically died after an asthma attack in 2000.
With 64 entries this year split across both the single and double handed fleets, it was all set for a great day on the water.
Despite the difficult conditions and a testing day with a shifting breeze of between 5-10 knots, PRO Martyn Emberson managed to successfully get all four races in to the delight of the sailors, before the wind completely disappeared as the last boat came across the line in the final race.
The programme for the day was four handicap races running back to back, with races 1 and 3 for the single-handed fleet and races 2 and 4 for the double-handed fleet.
The overall trophy switches between the fleets each year so congratulations to Tom Gillard, who successfully defended his title by winning in his Solo 6021. It was quite an achievement as he also competed in the double-handed races with crew Rachael Gray. They finished fourth in Merlin Rocket 3759. Change-overs were challenging due to the tight racing schedule and light winds.
Our thanks go to all our sponsors for their continued support of this event: Pinnell & Bax, Harken and Selden.
Well done to all the winners and thank you to all competitors and club members for making this another great event. Have a great season and see you all next year!
Double-hander results:
1st Robert Gullan & Jack Holden, RS400, Chichester YC
2nd Pete Gray & Amy Clay Scorpion, Staunton Harold SC
3rd Sam Knight & Chris Bownes, RS400, Bartley SC
Youth Prize - Dan Seaton & Libby Hodgson, RS200, Thrapston Sea Cadets
Overall results:
1st Lady - Veronica Falat, Streaker 1972, Waveney & Oulton Broad YC
Veteran - Matt Biggs, Albacore 8192, Bartley SC
Grand Master - Nigel Bird, Enterprise 22456, RYA
Septimus - Chris Swallow, K1 92, Burton SC
Single-handers Race Report
The forecast for the day of a reducing, unstable wind proved to be accurate and made the job of the PRO, Martin Emberson, difficult but he did manage to fit in four races, the "U" flag flying from the start and replaced by the Black after the first general recall.
Race 1 for the single handers benefited from the best wind of the day. The Solos of Tom Gillard and Mark Maskell were among those getting a good start at the pin end but the Phantoms of Rich Nurse and Jim Hopton rounded the first mark with the Aero 7 of Arran Holman at the head of the fleet. The Streaker of Veronica Falat was with the gaggle of Solos behind the better-starting faster boats.
The faster boats did well on the reaches of the reverse "P" course and up the second beat, Rich and Jim began to establish a good lead ahead of Arran. Tom Gillard also got away from the bunch of Solos who were having quite a battle with the Streaker for company. By the finish Rich Nurse claimed line honours with Jim Hopton second. Third to finish was the Phantom of Andy Couch but just behind him was the Aero 7 of Arran Holman who gained second on handicap.
Tom Gillard brought his Solo home in an excellent time to claim first place on handicap. Veronica Falat managed to clear the Solo gang to gain fourth place on handicap, splitting the leading two Phantoms. Mark Maskell was not having a good race, a 720 at the final windward mark saw him drop out of contention then he found that his start had been a bit too good as he was judged OCS!
The second race for the single-handers saw the fleet recalled after a pile up at the pin end. The second start saw the left side favoured again for the first beat. The early leaders were the Phantoms of Andy Couch and the consistent Jim Hopton, with Arran Holman close behind. Tom Gillard and Mark Maskell broke away early from the Solo/Streaker bun fight.
The wind had become much less predictable and spotting/guessing direction of the next area of greater pressure became key to success on the beats. Andy Couch proved very adept and opened up a large lead to take both line and handicap honours. Arran found a few holes and dropped back to finish 6th on handicap, finishing just ahead of the Solo of Tom Gillard who took second on handicap.
With the wind dropping away more, the last lap was frustrating for many of the slower boats but Mark Maskell made up for the first race by bringing his Solo in for third on handicap. Jim Hopton was fourth on handicap, ahead of the RS Vario of Luke Fisher.
With both races to count, Tom Gillard was the overall winner in his Solo, quite an achievement as he also completed the two-handed races to take fourth overall in that event with his Merlin Rocket. Arran Holman was second and the consistent Jim Hopton third. Andy Couch was fourth and Veronica Falat fifth. Chris Brown was sixth in his Solo, followed by the Finn of Simon Cowood and the RS Vario of Luke Fisher.
Lots of people worked very hard to make the event happen and go well in trying conditions. Considering the forecast, it was great to see so many visitors making up two good sized fleets filled with many very talented sailors.
Single Hander results:
1st Tom Gillard, Solo 6021, Staunton Harold SC (Overall Winner of the Trophy)
2nd Arran Holman, RS Aero, Hollowell SC
3rd Jim Hopton, Phantom 1492, Shutstoke SC
Youth Prize - Kealie Rhodes, Topper 48907, Northampton SC