Nick’s Knots Trophy 2023 Report and Results

Frensham Pond Radio Sailing Group – Nick’s Knots trophy 2023

The Frensham IOM Open 2023 was held on 13 September 2023 and resulted in a masterclass from Nigel Barrow (MYA Racing Officer) who, from a 16 race series, discarded two seconds and a third – and ended up with 13 points!

The day was blessed generally with decent winds which did fade towards the end of the afternoon. It was also generally (until lunchtime) from the North with a bit of East. Those who know Frensham will recognise that this makes course setting a bit of a challenge but also produces less fickle winds. A course was set which just about allowed the start line to be viewed from the shore and, with two laps and a gate, produced good racing.
The number of entrants was scheduled to be 18 – but two were unavoidably and quite understandably detained by trying to watch England play Rugby in the South of France – and one failed to get his boat to obey his commands at all. A single fleet of 15 then battled it out.

The top three of Messrs Barrow, Tickner and Treagust were established as front runners quite early on and with lunch arriving after race 11 and the wind moving quite significantly further to the East, a revised course was set.
The afternoon racing resumed the same pattern of results as that of the morning in terms of the scores and with lighter winds, it was agreed to end the day after race 16 just before the scheduled time of 3pm. This allowed the presentations to be made to the top three and a hearty tea to be taken – all told a most enjoyable and competitive day.

Thank you to all participants for making the day so pleasant and enjoyable.