707 National Championships at Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Burnham

707 National Championships during Burnham Week © Alice Tavinor

707 National Championships during Burnham Week © Alice Tavinor

707 National Championships during Burnham Week © Alice Tavinor

Seventeen 707s entered the National Championship at Burnham on Crouch on 1st to 4th September, the best turnout in recent years. Conditions were perfect, with Easterly winds of between 5 and 15 knots complimented by sunshine throughout.

Race Officer Kim Allen made best use of his knowledge of the 707 class and the local conditions to set excellent courses for each of the 12 windward/leeward races held over the four days, ensuring that racing was never processional.

It was local boat Lineout UK that showed best consistency in the lightish airs of day 1, recording a 3-2-1 set of results. Next came the two Scarborough boats - Humdinger, who showed blistering pace in race 1 with 1-5-5, and Stormchaser with 6-3-2. Feeling Touchy recorded their best result (2nd), as did Blowfish (3rd), Joe Blob (9th), and Riotous (10th).

By day 2 a pattern was being established, with south coast boat Betty and Lineout UK winning alternate races, which would see them pull ahead of the chasing pack. Racehorse recorded a couple of second places, and both Beaver Hunter and Feeling Touchy recorded good consistent results. Baby Beluga also deserves a mention, recording a 4th and a 3rd.

On day 3, the above pattern was ended by Stormchaser winning race 8, and then by Beaver Hunter who found the speed button to convincingly win races 9 and 10. Betty and Lineout UK were never far behind, and by the end of the day were really only racing each other. Best positions of the week were also recorded by Swordfish (5th), Braveheart (4th), Black Sheep (3rd).

Two races were scheduled for day 4, which saw the strongest winds of the championship at around 12-15 knots. With two discards, Betty led Lineout UK by a single point, but would lose the lead if they had to count an 8th place from day 1. This encouraged some aggressive tactics from Lineout UK, which caused both boats to be black flagged in race 11. Beaver Hunter continued their late run of form and won their 3rd consecutive race. Racehorse was 2nd and Marlin recorded their best result in 3rd place. Swallow also recorded their best result with 13th – beating two boats on the water in addition to the two black flags.

So for the last race, Lineout UK needed to beat Betty by more than one place, or for Betty to finish worse than 6th. Race Office Kim Allen avoided the prospect of the championship being won by another set of black flags, but Betty beat Lineout UK at the start, and then demonstrated their excellence by overtaking the whole fleet to win the race. Beaver Hunter was 2nd, Baby Beluga was 3rd, and Miss Moneypenny recorded their best race of the series in 10th place.

So congratulations to Jon Powell and the crew of Betty in winning the 707 National Championship for the third consecutive year. Lineout UK owners Stewart Mears and Phil Bennett must try again next year, and Paul Gray is wondering why he couldn’t find his speed earlier in the week.

Thanks to all those involved in organising the Championship, including sponsors Lineout UK, Hempel Paints, ProBoat, The Brand Academy, and Allen Brothers; and also the four Burnham Clubs each of which organised excellent social events.

Overall Results: