RS400 Northern Tour 2025, sponsored by Trident UK

RS400 Trident UK Northern Tour 2025 © Megan Kelly

Ollie Groves and Esther Parkhurst during the Noble Marine RS400 Nationals at Torquay © Tania Hutchings / www.50northphotography.co.uk

Hamish Gledhill with Ross Southwell during the RS400 Open at Notts County © Kathryn Ryan

Congratulations to Ollie Groves and Esther Parkhurst (Beaver SC) for winning the 2025 Trident UK Northern Tour. To be fair with four event wins and a second place they had the title wrapped up in June after the event at Carsington, but for good measure they won the last event at Bassenthwaite SC.

We shouldn't forget the small matter of them claiming the RS400 National Championship held in Northern Ireland in August to add to their growing list of titles. Congratulations guys. Sadly, their RS400 is up for sale, but hopefully we will see them back in a RS400 in the future.

Hamish Gledhill with Ross Southwell (West Riding SC) fought it out for second place with Dave Exley and Nigel Hall (Leigh and Lowton SC). Behind them in fourth place Alastair Rimmer (Bassenthwaite SC) with a long list of crews continued his rise in the RS400 fleet to finish fourth. Sam Waller and Martin Penty (Beaver SC) were fifth.

Whilst the numbers on the tour have been slightly disappointing, as usual the events have thrown up some great memories. There was the breezy but chilly second day at Yorkshire Dales, in contrast to the baking hot and fickle conditions at Bala. The fleet sailed round with dolphins at Tynemouth, and who can forget the excellent race management to complete 12 races in two days at Carsington. As always there were great evenings in the bar after the sailing with friendly faces to relive the best and worst moments of the day with. We must say a big thank you to all the clubs that have hosted an event this year and made us feel welcome, as well as to our sponsor Trident UK.

RS400s at Bala - photo © John Hunter

The boats competing on the tour came from 18 different clubs, with Yorkshire Dales having 7 competing boats, Notts County and Tynemouth each had 6 competing boats, with 5 coming from both Bassenthwaite and Leigh and Lowton.

In an attempt to increase numbers at events next year, the RS400 committee is looking to reduce the number of events on the National and Regional Tours. Hopefully a reduction in diary clashes and less overall travelling will encourage bigger turnouts at events. The RS400 committee is keen to listen to views on how to encourage more people into the fleet and attending events, so if you have any thoughts or ideas, please let us know or post your thoughts on the RS400 Northern Tour or RS400 Class Association Facebook pages.

RS400 Northern Tour 2025 winners at Leigh and Lowton - photo © Dave Heaton

We look forward to seeing you on the water in 2026.

Footnote: The RS Class Association thanks Hamish for organising the tour once again in 2025, an excellent job done.

RS400 Northern Tour 2025 Overall Results: