Steve Nicholson Memorial Trophy results

by Mike Shaw on 1 Feb 2006 The Steve Nicholson Memorial Trophy hosted by Northampton SC attracted a total of 89 competitors, the event was very kindly sponsored by Pinnell & Bax who provided a huge amount of prizes kit bags of all sizes, shirts, hats and many other sailing items.

Steve Nicholson was a former employee of Pinnell & Bax and the prizes were exceptional. The event was blessed with excellent sailing conditions with sun throughout the day and a steady wind force 3 to 4 which increased as the day progressed, the ever increasing wind provided plenty of thrills and spills especially for the many high performance boats that took part from the well established Fireball class to the 29ers.

The race officer Chris Wright set excellent courses and some of the reaches across the reservoir culminating in the gybe saw some dramatic sailing and on many occasions the rescue boats were kept very busy, the event was split into single handed, Double handed, and asymmetric fleets, the single handed fleet was dominated by the 'Big Boys who ate all the pie's' (Phantom Class) 13 Phantoms took part and secured the first 5 positions with 1st Nick Beloe, 2nd Brett Cokayne & 3rd Allen Burrell.

The double handed non-asymmetric fleet was a blistering demonstration of fast sailing and certainly no room for errors the dominating attendees were the Fireballs with a fleet of nine boats and in the first six positions saw four fireballs placed, however the first position was secured by the 420 Class and two youth sailors from Derbyshire (Staunton Harold SC) Tom Gillard (Helm) & James Foskett (Crew) both of these youth sailors are a force to be reckoned with and are very talented sailors indeed and well known sailors on the youth circuit. 2nd place was taken by Kevin Hope (Helm) & Russ Thorne (Crew) sailing a Fireball closely followed by fireballers Vince Horey (Helm) & Richard Wagstaff (Crew).

The 3rd fleet was the asymmetric`s 'there's fast and there's too fast' all sailors received speeding fines from the local water authority however the activities of the asymmetric fleet never allowed the spark plugs to oil up on the rescue ribs and kept everyone alert, 1st position went to the youth sailing 29er`s Matt Hollis (Helm) & Nick Hollis (Crew) 2nd sailing an RS 700 Anthony York and 3rd position another 29er sailed by Andy Wood (Helm) & Ali McInnes (Crew).

The host club Commodore (Carol Travers) requested everybody to raise a glass in memory of Steve Nicholson and presented the prizes, the event organised by Ian Castle and supported by everyone at Northampton SC raised nearly £2000 which will be donated towards Asthma UK Please bookmark your diaries for next year, this is a winter event not to be missed and will take place again on Sat 27 Jan 2007.

STEVE NICHOLSON MEMORIAL TROPHY 2006
Doublehanders
1 420 51177 Tom Gillard James Foskett SHSC
2 FB 14839 Kevin Hope Russ Thorne
3 FB 14919 Vince Horey Richard Wagstaff
4 420 52209 Tom Taylor Ben Muskett
5 FB 14857 Becky Priest Tom Saunders SHSC

Singlehanders
1 Phantom 1170 Nick Beloe
2 Phantom 1123 Brett Cockayne SHSC
3 Phantom 1184 Allen Burrell
4 Phantom 1100 John Wayling
5 Phantom 11 Andy Couch

Asymmetrics
1 29er 1113 Matt Holis Nick Hollis
2 RS700 923 Anthony York
3 29er 693 Andy Wood Ali McInnes
4 Comet Trio 465 Peter Scott Phil Scott
5 RS400 1169 Norman Byrd Richard Pye

Event website: http://www.northamptonsailingclub.org

Photo website: http://www.fotoboat.com