Nick's Knots Trophy for One Metre yachts at Frensham Pond Sailing Club

by Paul Brooks 19 Sep 17:28 BST 15 September 2021

Nick's Knots Trophy from One Metres at Frensham © Paul Brooks

The last running of this RC Open event was in 2019 so the 2021 version was much anticipated and, although the day was dry, the wind direction was a bit of a trial - it was largely Northerly.

For those who know Frensham, a Northerly breeze means generally good steady winds but with the need to set a course well out into the lake and with a start line requiring eagle eyes to spot any OCS - and this is what was done.

Nick's Knots Trophy from One Metres at Frensham - photo © Paul Brooks

All 22 entrants from a varied selection of ten different clubs accepted the challenge and the first start (in a two heat format) was at 10am. The early leader was Dorian Crease from Two Islands near Milton Keynes with his Chienze, who won his first three races.

However, Nigel Barrow (BritPop) from the home club was biding his time (so he says!) and reeled off a similarly impressive string of first and seconds, so that, by the lunch break, it was neck and neck - with Hugh Watson (Emsworth) with his BritPop following closely behind in third.

Nick's Knots Trophy from One Metres at Frensham - photo © Paul Brooks

After the break for refreshments, the wind became lighter and, on occasions, vanished. This was another challenge with some of the action/interaction around the farthest marks from the bank being hard to follow with certainty both for skippers and observers.

This however proved a blessing in disguise for the eventual winner as he produced two firsts - one being in the final race - to take the overall win with 10 points versus the second place's 12 points - with third on 18 points.

So it was close run things with all skippers struggling with the conditions from time to time but approaching it all in a good spirit and enjoying the day.

The next event will be same time next year - assuming all remains well.

Overall Results:

Pos	Skipper	Sail No	Club/City	Hull	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	Pts
1	Nigel Barrow	29	Frensham	BritPop	2	3	2	1	1	5	3	1	10
2	Dorian Crease	79	Two Islands	Cheinze	1	1	1	5	6	4	1	4	12
3	Hugh Watson	107	Emsworth	BritPop	2	4	3	2	2	8	5	5	18
4	Dave Cockerill	187	Emsworth	BritPop	4	6	8	8	4	2	2	3	21
5	Darren Ellman‑Baker	16	Hove	BritPop	3	2	10	6	8	10	10	2	31
6	Peter Copsey	51	Emsworth	Kantwo	6	5	7	4	3	7	6	9	31
7	Chris Hague	19	Poole	Alternative	10	16	5	11	5	3	7	8	38
8	John Cleave	00	Ryde	K2	8	14	20	18	7	1	4	10	44
9	Dave Green	27	Two Islands	Ellipsis	4	8	9	15	12	6	11	12	50
10	Chris Treagust	06	Emsworth	BritPop	7	15	6	3	9	20	12	19	52
11	Roger Carter	69	Frensham	Gadget	5	13	14	9	22	9	8	11	55
12	Richard Calas	169	Emsworth	Kantun SMX	1	23	12	17	10	13	15	6	57
13	Matheson Hankey	14	Poole	Vickers V9	5	10	15	21	15	11	9	17	65
14	Nick Royse	70	Frensham	Capitulation	3	9	13	13	13	14	19	15	65
15	Alan Bishenden	151	Hove	Chisan	13	22	23	7	11	12	17	18	78
16	Laurence Naylor	153	Phoenix	Vickers V9	9	7	11	19	19	22	16	16	78
17	Roger Pearce	38	Woking	BritPop	7	19	21	14	20	17	14	7	78
18	Paul Tickner	07	Guildford	Italiko	8	13	4	13	23	23	23	23	84
19	Geoff Dean	191	Hove	Kracer	6	20	18	10	17	15	23	23	86
20	John Haine	118	Frensham	Speculation	12	17	16	16	18	18	13	13	87
21	Chris Pearce	53	Frensham	??	9	18	17	20	16	16	18	14	90
22	Peter Hankey	144	Emsworth	Vickers V9	11	21	19	23	14	19	23	23	107