17th and 18th September

7 Burnham Squibs took the Journey to Portsmouth for this event.

There was a total entry of 29 Squibs with 4 Races organised for Saturday and three for Sunday.

All competitors gathered for the briefing at 9.30am Saturday morning. It was a day blessed with Sunshine, 10-14 knots of Breeze. Windward, Lee wards courses.

The wind was extremely shifty, places could, be won and gained in one tack. Race one, saw sailing legend, Steve Cockerill and Sarah Cockerill have line honours, followed by Duncan Gridley and Richard Jordan in second place. Well done Duncan!

Malcolm and Andy Carley had a very good win in race two, hotly followed by Steve Cockerill and Sarah Cockerill in second place.

Race three, there was a little delay, due to wind change. Line honours went to Shaun Hopkins and Janet Dee, followed by Malcolm and Andy in Lady P.

The next race scheduled for Saturday was cancelled, so we all headed back to Portsmouth for our well earnt beverage.

Saturday evening, the Portsmouth Sailing Club laid on a curry and free beer. Music was played in the bar and many Burnham Squibbers were strutting their moves, until the early hours.

Sunday, three races were scheduled. The forecast was for lighter winds than Saturday. Fortunately, when ventured out on the race track it was more wind than Saturday and the course was set and we started on time.

Race four, saw the Holden’s in Chilli claim line honours, with the Cockerill’s closely followed in second.

With two races remaining, it was very tight at the top. Three Boats had to put in good results to claim the South Coast Championships. Steve and Sarah Cockerill, Micky Wright and Alex Porteous and Malcolm Hutchings and Andy Carley, all very close on points.

Micky and Alex showed the way in Race 5 with a great win, and race 6 saw Malcy and Andy get the win.

With all three Boats ending up on the same points, who was it going to be?

It finally went to Steve and Sarah Cockerill after a protest gave him a slender win, by a point.

Many thanks go to all the Portsmouth Sailing Club, for organising a great Regatta and looking after us.

We very much look forward to seeing them soon at Rutland.

The Portsmouth Squibbers mentioned that they will be coming over for Burnham Week next year, so the numbers are looking like 40 plus boats – the Squib fleet is going from strength to strength!