Burnham Week 2015 Overall
by Sue Pelling 6 Sep 2015 16:17 BST
29 August - 5 September 2015
Team Snatch celebrates Town Cup win on closing day of east coast premier regatta
Adrian Lower (Royal Burnham YC Commodore) and David Smith with an all-star team aboard a Swan 48 Snatch have won the Town Cup – Burnham Week's most celebrated award. Yesterday was also the concluding day of the 707 national championship, won by Team Sea Word from Royal Northern & Clyde YC.
For the first time ever, entry to the Town Cup was opened up to all yachts rated under IRC/SER (0.890 and above) this year, instead of the traditional IRC Class 1 yachts only. Not surprisingly, this resulted in a surge of interest and some exceptional competition.
A moderate west-north-westerly, close reach start made for a lively sail particularly for those who battled with spinnakers during the opening stage of the 38-nautical mile Town Cup course. As the wind swung round to the north there was a bit of an autumnal chill in the air and, as it built to 26kts in the gusts exciting times were had by all.
One of the race favourites was defending Town Cup champion Amazon (Jeanneau Sunfast 3200) sailed by Tony and Chuffy Merewether and team but it was clear right from the start that Snatch (Swan 48) – co-owned by Royal Burnham YC members Adrian Lower and David Smith – was not going to make her life easy.
Having returned to Burnham fresh from her win at the Swan European championship and completion of the Fastnet Race, Snatch was on top form and reveled in the tight fetching course. Smith on the helm, commenting on the win said: "It was our conditions – a waterline length fetching day – and she's fast as you like. We were slightly over-canvassed at 26kts with the No. 1 [genoa] up but we made the decision to stick to it, and thankfully it paid off."
Lower, on navigation added: "We are absolutely delighted to have finally won the Town Cup. It is our first season in the boat but because all 12 of us, including five nippers under 25s from the club, have sailed together for most of the season the boat handling was superb, which was key to our win. We had 20-30 degree wind shifts, so it was a case of constantly trimming and changing gear the whole time rather than trying to tack on the shifts."
As they sailed back up river, Team Snatch were welcomed home in true Town Cup spirit by well wishers keen to steal a glimpse of the winners as they crossed the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club finish line. Although Team Amazon were unable to defend the Cup, they were delighted to have retained second place overall in the Town Cup, and secure an overall win of the IRC Midweek Series for Gaydon Cup.
Following a highly successful event five years ago, the 707 class returned to Burnham Week to contest its national championship. The 12-strong fleet, made up of teams from across the UK, enjoyed an interesting 12-race series in testing conditions on the River Crouch.
Racing was close throughout with results going right down to the wire. Andrew Marshall and team from Royal Northern and Clyde YC sailing Sea Word sailed an impressive series that included four straight wins, and won the event from Royal Corinthian YC, Burnham members Paul Gray and team (Beaver Hunter) in second, and Richard Bavin and team (Racehorse) third.
Commenting on his 707 national championship win, just before hitching up and driving 450-miles home to Scotland, Marshall – winning helmsman said: "We've come second a few times but never quite won it. It was great that it all came together this time. We thought there would be a real tidal/local knowledge advantage here but it has turned out to be a really fair event, with lots of place changing. One race we went from last round the windward mark to second round the leeward mark. You could win and lose really quickly because it was really competitive all week.
"We generally sail in the tidal Clyde so we are fairly familiar with the tides but we really like it here in Burnham and we'll definitely be back."
Racing within the rest of the fleets produced equally close racing. In Class 5 Roger Noble, Stephen Gosling, Andrew Courts aboard Grace and Danger took the Midweek Series for the Harry Crocker Bowl, with a one-point margin over Frank Curtis' Pickpocket. However, Saturday's Penrose Fitzgerald Cup was won by Paul Drew and team on Harvest Moon.
In Class 6 – Midweek Series (Claxton Jug) – Richard Moore and team on Spring Chicken enjoyed a tough battle throughout and managed to beat Len Cole's Amanda Louise 11, by two points. It was all change on the last day however, with Amanda Louise 11 finishing with an overall win of the Roach Trophy.
With a consistent top result scoreline running throughout the week it was no great surprise to see multiple Cowes Week winner Malcolm Hutchings, crewed by Jackie Tracey on Lady Penelope take a clean sweep in the Squib class. They won the Sonny Cole Salver, Paul Tucker Tiller, and the final Saturday's Burnham Week Bowl.
The Dragon class never fails to produce top class racing and this year was no exception. The Midweek Series for the Valhalla Cup went to Hands Off sailed by Michael Holmes, while the Week Points Series for the Sidney Sabin Cup went to Rob Campbell sailing Beauty and the Beast. The Daily Telegraph Cup was won by David and Lynn Brown on Storm.
Local one-designs (Royal Burnham and Royal Corinthian One Designs) continue to offer exceptional close racing. The RBOD class, which celebrated its 80th anniversary three years ago, had 13 boats racing this week. Although Nick Geeves and Mike Shields on RB11 Onyx won the Mid Week Points Series for the Wilson Sanderson Memorial Cup, and Chip Cole on White Rose won the Lards Cup, the champion of the week was Team Mandarin sailed by the Dallimore family.
Will and Barty, sailing with family members James, Clare and Sarah, won the Weeks Points Series for the Ralph Herring Cup for the first time in 20 years of trying. Will Dallimore commented: "We are absolutely delighted. It was particularly pleasing to have won with our children on board because they are the grandchildren of the designer of the RBOD. The racing was really close and competitive and it was all down to one point but it was consistency that paid at the end of the day."
The RCOD in its 80th anniversary year produced the best turnout seen for many years and the racing remained exciting all week. Although John Waples on RC16 Corpo Santo won the RCOD Mid Week Series, the Weeks Points Series and the Bar YC Trophy on the final Saturday, he was pressed all the way mainly by Sue Law in Coralie.
The Burnham Week prize giving ceremony took place at Crouch Yacht Club with Ron Pratt, the Mayor, presenting the Town Cup, David McNeill, Town Clerk, was also present. Team Snatch celebrated in style and in true traditional spirit filled the cup with bubbles, and paraded it around the Town visiting most clubs and pubs on the way.
The remaining trophies were presented by Duncan Haley (Commodore Crouch YC), and Jo Barker (Chairman Joint Clubs Committee). In her closing speech, Barker reported that over £1,800 had been raised for the Essex Air Ambulance through the sale of Burnham Week polo shirts kindly donated by Dave Smith at Dewhirst Group.
Activities around town culminated with a grand fireworks display to mark the end of the 2015 Burnham Week festival.
For results, and further event information, go to: www.burnhamweek.com.
About Burnham Week
Burnham Week has been running for over 100 years, which makes it one of the oldest regattas of its type. It is organised by the Joint Clubs Committee known as JCC, which incorporates Burnham's four clubs – Royal Burnham YC, Royal Corinthian YC, Crouch YC, and Burnham SC.
Because the event has always taken place at the end of August, historically it marked the closure of the racing season and, in its heyday years between the late 50s and 70, Burnham Week attracted some of the largest racing boats on the circuit. Many of these ocean racers headed to Burnham for the final regatta of the season after completing the Fastnet Race.
The Town Cup contested by the largest yachts at the regatta on the final Saturday, is one of sailing's most prestigious trophies. It was first presented in 1927 and is awarded on an annual basis by the Town Mayor at the prize giving ceremony at the Crouch Yacht Club. The winners are obliged to fill the cup, and parade it around the Town. One of the most popular winners, in 1972, was the then Prime Minister, Right Hon. Edward Heath MP and his team aboard Morning Cloud.
Key Burnham Week sponsors; Mickey Gooch (personal supporter), Craftinsure, Premium Liferaft Services, Burnham Yacht Harbour, Fambridge Yacht Haven, Dewhirst Group & Broadgate Paper.
www.burnhamweek.com