Squibs at Easter

Rice and Cole Cheeseboard : 19^th April 2019

Nine squibs came out to play on Good Friday for the first main event of the Burnham Squib Fleet Calendar – The Rice & Cole Cheeseboard. A series of four short races in front of the club house before returning to the club for lunch and, of course, the all important cheese and port cheese and port very kindly donated by Rice & Cole Boatyard. With fairly light winds but the sun shining brightly the boats set off on time to shake off the cobwebs left over from the off season. Race 1 saw Spoof (Micky Wright and Alex Porteous) control the start and lead till the end with Guy Fawkes (Phil Aspinall and Karen Aylen) and Electra (David Mellard and Julia Batchelor) taking second and third. The second race was more eventful as Guy Fawkes parked themselves on the start buoy a good minute before the start and remained there as the rest of the fleet set off. This time it looked like would be Lady Penelope (Malcom & Portia Hutchings) challenging for the top spot but an unfortunate final mark rounding saw both Electra and Magic Roundabout (Jason Phelps and Carl Anderson) slip ahead to take 2nd and 3rd behind Spoof. 2 races in and with the cobwebs definitely disappearing, the question on many people’s lips was what side of the river to go to keep out of the tide. The fleet were split in their decision and to be honest it didn’t make much difference as the first and second boats (Lady P & Guy Fawkes) went on opposite sides. The final race saw the top order change once more as Guy Fawkes, continuing with their strategy to hit the south shore and avoiding any tangles with starting marks, took a convincing win. Lady P again showed good speed to take second spot whist Outlaw (Ian Scott and Iona Martin) took a well-deserved third place. Coming off the water and into the club for lunch, it was agreed that the format of racing was a great way to remind us how everything worked and get the skills honed for what looks like a busy season ahead. Overall, Spoof took the much coveted (and rediscovered) Cheeseboard just ahead of Lady Penelope and Guy Fawkes. Congratulations to all who took part and many thanks to Rice & Cole for their continued support of the Squib Fleet.

Mike Flint Trophy :  20^th-22^nd April 2019

The Squibs went on to compete for the Mike Flint Trophy over the remainder of the Easter Weekend.  Sun, breeze, five great races, great food, great company, lots of laughs, and lots of Torres the Bull entrants.

There were five races with one discard and winners included Humphrey (Robert Coyle), Lady Penelope (Malcolm Hutchings),  and Spoof (Micky Wright).  With two wins and two second places to count Robert Coyle and Marc Rawinsky won the Trophy with Malcolm and Jackie a close second.

Many thanks to Derek Corless and his team for a fantastic weekends racing.

Alex Porteous

Alex Porteous