Burnett Challenge at Tamesis Club
by John Dunkley 31 May 2010 22:14 BST
30 May 2010
Ocatillo wins the Burnett Challenge at Tamesis Club © John Dunkley
The 16 boats that competed in the individual handicap pursuit race for the Burnett Challenge Trophy at Tamesis Club on Sunday 30 May had to cope with occasional gusts of over 30 mph, rapidly spilling wind as a fresh to stong north westerly made the long beat down the river Thames to Lensbury and the upstream run an exercise in survival. There were several spectacular capsizes in water that was disturbingly cold despite the sunshine, two boats retired and one lost its mainsheet but continued after repairs. Several helms wisely decided to sit this one out.
The one and a half hour race was won by Charles Fox and Steve Katz in Ocatillo (National 18 316) with Richard Mourant and Joe Woods a hard fought second in Total Eclipse (Merlin Rocket 3233). Tamesis Commodore John Adams and Johnnes Wagner were third in Precious (Merlin Rocket 3333).
The worst gusts were those which sped across the Teddington Recreation ground and the Tamesis dinghy park, hitting competitors as they attempted to cross the east-west dogleg opposite the clubhouse, and the open ground near Lensbury and Teddington Lock. The race was organised by Ian Burnett, the Race Officer and donor of the trophy, also who presented the prizes.
Overall Results:
1st Ocatillo (National 18 316) Charles Fox & Steve Katz
2nd Total Eclipse (Merlin Rocket 3233) Richard Mourant & Joe Woods
3rd Precious (Merlin Rocket 3333) John Adams & Johannes Wagner
4th Wild Wood (Solo 5041) Rob Wilder
5th Multi flip (Laser 171688) Stewart Colley