Another Successful Steve Nicholson Memorial Event

Steve Nicholson Memorial at Northampton © Robert MacIntyre

It was another successful open event in memory of Steve Nicholson at Northampton Sailing Club on January 25th. All competitors and volunteers were met with a beautiful sunny day and a light south-westerly wind.

Forty-six boats took part, evenly spread between the single- and double-handed fleets. There were two races for each fleet with the double-handers setting off first on a reverse-P course. They were followed five minutes later by the single-handed fleet. All enjoyed some close competitive racing then came in for lunch before another race for each fleet in the afternoon.

The Steve Nicholson Trophy event is raced in aid of Asthma and Lung UK in Steve's memory, who died 25 years ago this year. The trophy alternates between the single- and double-handed fleets, and this year it was the turn of the double-handers. This meant that Tom Gillard and Rachel Gray won the trophy again in their Merlin Rocket.

Dave Turtle and Zara Frankton finished second in a Miracle, also taking the Grand Master prize. In third place were Peter Gray and Richard Pepperdine in a Fireball.

Ed Croxton and Finn Neal from Hollowell Sailing Club won the junior title in their RS Feva XL, closely followed by Olivia York and William Munn from Northampton Sailing Club, also in an RS Feva XL. And congratulations to Everlyn Parkinson, the youngest helm in a double-hander, from Northampton Sailing Club, who took part in a Laser 2000 with her dad.

The single-handed event was very close with both Andrew Wilde and Chris Brown taking a second and third place each in their Solos. Andrew took the title as he finished higher in the last race. Oliver Davenport was third in his OK with fifth and first place finishes.

Luke Fisher finished in fourth in an RS Vareo, also taking the Grand Master title. Oliver Gover from Northampton Sailing Club took the junior title in his ILCA 6.

Andrew Wilde had to rush off after the event and he didn't realise he'd won the trophy, but he sent an apology and a note to Northampton Sailing Club on hearing the good news, saying: "I wanted to take a moment to thank you and your team for hosting such a fantastic event this past weekend. The organisation, race management, and support from your members were absolutely first-class, and it's clear how much effort went into making it such a success.

"Please extend my thanks to all the members who contributed to making it such an excellent event. It's undoubtedly one of the highlights of the winter season, and I will always do my best to support it in the future."

Thank you to all the volunteers and competitors who enabled the event to take place and made it such a success.

Overall Results: