Steve Nicholson Memorial Trophy 26th January 2008

Five Musto Skiff turned up Saturday morning to compete in the Steve Nicholson Trophy at Northampton Sailing Club, with a South East, 18knot breeze blowing from the club house. The non asymmetric fleets launch for an 11' o clock start with the asymmetric fleet scheduled for mid day.

With close examination of the single and double handed fleets, the skiff sailors were getting prepared, determined that they were going to demonstrate high-class sailing! Blasting downwind towards the starting area, dodging the single/double handed boats heading in for their lunch.

The first beet towards the windward mark was tough as the wind was gusting followed by a lull. This separated the Men from the boys. The first hoists were slow as all the arm and back muscles had been killed from playing the main sail (apart from Sten, high wiring, in cruising mode as his weight took advantage). Round the top mark, Richard Stenhouse, Tom Wright and Gareth Davies one after another. The race continues, identical positions until Tom unfortunately performs a sketchy gybe on the last run plunging himself into the water, Gareth thieved second place. The skiff sailor headed toward the club for their lunch.

The second race brought light conditions between 12 and 14knots. Once again the race was underway as the musto fleet much more split up as they went round the windward mark. The wind was up and down, side to side. Towards the end of the race, Tom was pressurising Dan as he was slowly but surely catching him up. Around the last windward mark, Tom making a brave decision to gybe off, as it previously paid to carry on! Blasting down the lake towards the finish Dan unluckily got protested by a hobbie 405 and had to complete a 360. This gave Tom just enough time to hock inside round the leeward mark and across the finish.

The day created brilliant sailing conditions, in the morning for the fatties and the afternoon for the lightweights. Unfortunately there was a technical error as the final results went miserably wide of the mark!

Musto Skiff positions:

1st Richard Stenhouse
2nd Gareth Davies
3rd Tom Wright
4th Tim Chapman
5th Dan Henderson

Incorrect results can be viewed on the Northampton Website!

A brilliant event hosted by Northampton sailing club with approximately 140 entries.

Tom Wright

Results here >>>

Ed's note: I believe Barnsie gave Sten the trophy in the bar once he realised they had made an error; a fine & fair gesture by Mark. Seems they miss counded the laps for the faster boats in race 1.