Squibs in Burnham Week 1 Sep 2012
Winds throughout the week were predominately from the south and east at strengths of force 4 to 5 increasing at times to force 6 and 7 as weather fronts moved through. The wind direction invariably meant the traditional Burnham Week running and reaching starts from Pilehouse.
This year there was only one race on each day so making the weekend trophy just a three race series with no discards. The Saturday race was won by Malcolm Hutchings and Andy Ramsey in Lady Penelope with Mickey Wright and Chris Dunn second in Spoof and Robert and Tracy Coyle third in Humphrey. The Sunday race was won by Robert and Tracy, with Malcolm and Andy second and Phil Aspinal with Howie Enkle in Guy Fawkes coming in third. Monday’s race was won by Malcolm and Andy with Surprise sailed by Duncan Grindley and Gina Porteous coming second with Robert and Tracey in third.
The David Eagling Memorial Trophy for the weekend was won by Malcolm and Andy in Lady Penelope and the Brian Waples Memorial Tray for the weekend runner up was won by Robert and Tracy in Humphrey.
The Mid-Week series saw a number of crew changes and the fleet numbers reduce to 15 entries, but this was still a good number for everyone to have excellent racing throughout the fleet over the next four days.
Tuesday’s race was won by Phil and Marion Aspinal in Guy Fawkes, with Robert and Tracey Coyle second in Humphrey and What’s the Story sailed by Simon Sanders and Tim Rigler in third place.
Wednesday’s race saw the strongest winds of the week and proved to be a testing race with Malcolm, sailing with Jackie Tracey, in Lady Penelope finishing first to take the Fairway trophy. Robert and Tracy were second and Ian Simmons and Ian Knights sailing Cheque Mate came third.
Thursday’s race started from the Burnham Sailing Club line providing the only windward start of the week going east on a town course. In testing conditions when a heavy rain storm and strong winds come through in the middle of the race, Malcolm and Jackie, Lady Penelope, came first, followed by Robert and Tracy, Humphrey and Phil and Marion, Guy Fawkes.
Friday’s race was in easier conditions but with variable winds making playing the wind shifts vital to getting a good result. Robert and Malcolm were having a close fought tacking match until a sheared pin on Lady Penelope meant Malcolm had to bale out to save his rig. Robert and Tracy went on to win and take the Duerr Trophy, with Spoof sailed by Piers and Naomi Stanbury making their first top three appearance in second place and Simon and Tim in What’s the Story coming third.
The Sonny Cole Salver for the midweek winner went to Robert and Tracy in Humphrey and the Founders Trophy for the midweek runner up went to Malcolm and Jackie in Lady Penelope.
Special mention goes to the youngest sailors of the week, Scarlet Anderson and Sam Barr, from the Otters sailing Magic Roundabout, who despite their lack of weight, still managed to give the heavier crews a ‘run for their money’ in the strong winds.
The final race of the week was a long race going out to Outer Crouch 3 mark in light winds. The Burnham Week Bowl was won by Malcolm and Jackie in Lady Penelope with Robert and Tracy coming second and Phil and Marion third.
Off the water the Squibbers had an enjoyable week socialising around Burnham, with special mention to Cathy and Bill Jones for their Cocktail party and Jackie Tracey and Malcolm Hutchings for their drinks evening.
All in all a most excellent week.