Richard Smallwood trophy 2025 at Frensham Sailability
by David Innes 21 Sep 06:50 AEST
17-18 September 2025
The Richard Smallwood Trophy is a two-day event set up in tribute to Richard Smallwood who was one of the leading lights in the creation and subsequent growth of disabled sailing at Frensham Pond in Surrey.
With over forty specialist boats, a hundred sailors and eighty-five volunteers Frensham Sailability is one of the largest in the country and is fully integrated with the main club on a large lake at Churt in Surrey.
After the first part of the trophy in June Judith Riggs was leading in her 2.4mR with 4 points but there was a large chasing pack on 10 points with Moya Summers and Matt Eplett in a Hansa 303, Kristian Davies in a Hansa 2.3 and Paul Phillips in a Liberty all just ahead of Simon Meehan in a Laser Stratos Keel.
With a somewhat intimidating 14 to 33 knots south-westerly forecast 18 boats came to the line on Sunday 18th September the entrants representing almost all of the classes sailed at Frensham Sailability. Race Officer John Townsley set a figure of eight course with two long beats and got the fleet away crisply for the first race.
The 2.3's were first away slightly handicapped by reefed mains but they led through most of the first lap with Kristian Davies first as the 303's came through on the second beat. Ringer Clive Eplett was first through closely followed by son Matt and Moya Summers in the bright orange "Neil Kymatic" with the first Liberty of Mike Everitt closing rapidly. The faster Stratos and 2.4mR were now pushing hard and started closing the fleet down in an increasing wind with gusts of 25knots.
The race was shortened after two laps with Clive Eplett mysteriously missing the finish line in his borrowed bright blue Hansa leaving Mike Everitt in his Danish badged Liberty to take the gun with Matt and Moya in a close finish for 2nd from James Woosnam in third and Judith Riggs taking fourth.
To the relief of the monitoring safety team the wind moderated allowing the Hansa 2.3's to shake out reefs and as they sailed left off the line in a tight bunch, the improvement in performance was obvious.
Andrew Lebec led away coming up the middle of a shifty beat followed by Lara Sturgis and Kris Davies. As they approached the windward mark the leaders were hit by large shifts benefitting Lyndsay Anderson who had overstood the mark. With the 2.3's doing their best to power away on the run Sarah Parker got stuck in irons as the 303's began to come through. Colin Freeman first then Matt and Moya and then Jolyon Ellwood-Russell having a great first ever race ably assisted by Ann Brand. After a small gap Joe and Phil rounded with Katie Apse and James Woosnam following.
On the following lap the leaders were Matt and Moya with, inches behind, the hard chasing Katie. They split tacks with Katie taking the lead briefly before Danish Mike came through at the mark. As the fleet bore away for a second run the second Liberty of Peter Etherton and Judith sailed over a large fleet of 303's despite valiant efforts from Andy Robson, Joe Shaw and Kim Davies to protect their wind.
The Stratos was struggling and we all watched to see if the gennaker would be deployed but Brian and Sean were not feeling that brave. Brian had previously noted that the SI's banned spinnakers but failed to mention gennakers but it was not to be!
At the finish Mike was first over the line with Judith second doing just enough to proudly take the Richard Smallwood trophy for the first time. Mike had done everything possible on the last day with two firsts but ended up second with Moya and Matt very pleased with a well sailed third overall.
The usual tea and speeches followed with thanks to all who helped and there should be a special mention for Kris Davies who sacrificed Race 4 to coach the 2.3's to a better set of results.
Frensham Pond Sailability welcomes new sailors and volunteers, both sailing and non-sailing. See www.sailfrensham.org.uk/sailability-info
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Judith Riggs (2.4) | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 2 | Mike Everitt (Liberty) | 12 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 3 | Moya Summers/ Matt Eplett | 9 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 |
| 4 | James Woosnam (303 1 Person) | 7 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 14 |
| 5 | Katie Apse (303 1 Person) | 5 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 15 |
| 6 | Brian Stallybrass (Stratos) | 6 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 20 |
| 7 | Kristian Davies (2.3) | 3 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 21 |
| 8 | Peter Etherton (Liberty) | 11 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 23 |
| 9 | Kim Davies (303 1 Person) | 14 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 24 |
| 10 | Bill Trower (303 1 Person) | 18 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 29 |
| 11 | Paul Phillips (Liberty) | 2 | 8 | ‑ | ‑ | 34 |
| 12 | Simon Meehan (Stratos) | 10 | 4 | ‑ | ‑ | 38 |
| 13 | Ann Brand (303 2 Person) | 13 | 2 | ‑ | ‑ | 39 |
| 14 | Joe Shaw (303 1 Person) | 19 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 39 |
| 15 | Andy Robson (303 1 Person) | | | 10 | 6 | 40 |
| 16 | Andrew Lebec (2.3) | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 45 |
| 17 | Lindsey Anderson (2.3) | 20 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 47 |
| 18 | Jolyon Ellwood‑Russell / Ann Brand | | | 13 | 11 | 48 |
| 19 | Lara Sturgis (2.3) | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 48 |
| 20 | Ian Campbell (Stratos) | 4 | SQ) | | | 49 |
| 21 | Colin Freeman (303 2 Person) | | | 14 | 12 | 50 |
| 22 | Sarah Parker (2.3) | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 51 |
| 23 | Helen Dickman (2.3) | 8 | NS) | ‑ | ‑ | 53 |