St Mathew Cup 2022 Report
Wow what a way to finish Burnham Week 2022 – competing for the prestigious St. Mathew Cup!
This year it was hosted by the Burnham Sailing Club, we couldn’t have asked for more, perfect wind a great team and the sun was shining. The event started with all the teams congregating at the BSC for well needed delicious bacon sandwiches and refreshments.
The course was then set at the briefing Rubber ball (S), Jubilee (P), Redward (P), Crow (P), Branklet (P).
Everyone departed to rig up their various boats, the allocated boats were Blaze, Laser Radial, RCOD, Elite, 707, RBOD and Squib.
All teams were very eager to have a great start – maybe a little too eager as this resulted in a general recall! Second time lucky the gun went and everyone got off to a flying start with only one boat being over (thankfully not part of the RCYC team).
It was a fast fetch with the tide to the first mark, with all competitors being pretty well behaved and going for speed. The fleet hardened up or tacked off around Rubber Ball – some gained on the beat up to Jubliee – it was all very close racing.
On rounding Jubilee kites were hoisted frantically for the leg to Redward – at this point the RCYC team already looked like they were in a good position, on the rounding of Redward boats hardened up or tacked off for the beat up the Roach to Crow.
At this point the Blazes were well ahead of all the other boats with the RCYC’s Olly Mears (u25) in 2nd place, followed by the Elites with Stuart Mears, Andrew Norden & Harriet in 1st place.

Then came the 707’s with Ray Apthorp, Amelia Hague (u25), Nathan Flynn (u25), Petru Balau, Phil Aspinall in 2nd place.

Next came the Squibs which had Micky Wright & Alex Porteous holding 2nd place.
Keith Gilmore in the Laser Radial was busy buzzing around at this point trying to steal wind from the other team’s Squib and 707 – well done Keith!

The RCOD’s were next with Justin Waples, Steve Rands & Lizzie Rands (u25) in 1st, closely followed by the RBOD’s with Dan Wastnage (Me), Dave Hyde, Lucy Tang and Scarlett Anderson holding 2nd place.

It was a fantastic day to be on the water and everyone that took part or watched seemed to be enjoying the event. I really enjoyed being the captain and bringing the team together which I am pleased to say included some of our young Otters!
After a close finish for many of the boats it was back to the moorings to pack up and then we all headed to the Burnham Sailing Club to find out the results. All the competitors gathered for a well-earned drink at the BSC and to watch the presentation of the St. Mathew’s Cup trophy.
I am pleased to announce the Royal Corinthian Team were the Winners by 9 points!
How exciting to win the St. Mathew Cup in the RCYC’s 150th year!!

Well done everyone that took part or was kind enough to lend their boats out to others and a big thank you to the Burnham Sailing Club for hosting such a great event!
The Royal Corinthian will be the hosts of the event next year and I can’t wait!

Dan Wastnage