Murphy & Nye 1720 Nationals at the Royal Southern Yacht Club

26 boats contest the 1720 nationals in the Solent © Ingrid Abery / www.hotcapers.com

26 boats contest the 1720 nationals in the Solent © Ingrid Abery / www.hotcapers.com

26 boats contest the 1720 nationals in the Solent © Ingrid Abery / www.hotcapers.com

‘King Quick’, sailed by Ruairidh and Graham Scott really lived up to it's name at the Murphy and Nye sponsored 1720 UK National Championships hosted by the Royal Southern Y.C. in the Solent on July 1st, 2nd, 3rd. With 9 races, all sailed in remarkably consistent 12 - 20 knot South Westerlies the 26 strong fleet enjoyed excellent courses provided by Tony Lovell and his race team and some extremely tight racing - particularly in the fight for the podium place behind the flying Scotts.

Going into the last 3 race day, only 4 points separated 2nd place from 6th and the last race turned into something of a nail biter as the breeze dropped and started to fluctuate. King Quick scoring only 12 points and winning the regatta with a race to spare left the arena, leaving Ian Atkins and Boats.com to record their first race win and secure 2nd overall from the other Scottish raiders - Charlie Frize Jnr and his team on Buddy L. Mike Budd took fourth in ‘Gul’, Geoff Carveth and Paul Heys were 5th in ‘tacktick micronet’, while last year's champions David Greenhalgh and Paul Lovejoy on ‘G&T rounded out the prize-winners in 6th.

Another excellent 1720 event at the Southern - great racing, dedicated socialising and first class hangovers. In his prize giving speech the Commodore Barry Peddley explained that the Royal Southern had ‘adopted' the 1720 class and dedicated the William Sparshatt Memorial Trophy to the class. This trophy which was gifted to the club in memory of one of it's most popular young members, recognises the spirit of sportsmanship, competitiveness and friendliness for which William himself was renowned. The biggest cheer of the day greeted the announcement of the winner - an owner that turns up to every 1720 event is rarely first across the line and always amongst the last to leave the bar - Mark Greenaway and La Licorne.

Huge thanks to sponsors Murphy and Nye together with Katie and the team at the Southern. Now for Lake Garda and the Europeans. Bring it on!

Overall Results: