2000 class Millennium Series Round 1 at Burghfield Sailing Club

2000 class Millennium Series Round 1 at Burghfield © Phil Harland

2000 class Millennium Series Round 1 at Burghfield © Phil Harland

The 2000 class association kick started their millennium series at Burghfield Sailing Club near Reading on the 6th April. This was the first of the 'One Day' events to be included in the national millennium series rankings. A direction taken by the association to encourage more sailors onto the water, and not have to give up a whole weekend. The 'One Day' proved very popular last year but weren't included in the series rankings.

18 boats attended and the forecast was favourable with 15 knots from the NE which allowed the Race Officer Roger Philips to utilise the full length of the lake. Burghfield SC delivered an outstanding regatta balancing at the same time a Solution class event, Blaze training event and RYA 'Try Foiling' taster day. Virginia Leigh provided first class support and administration for the regatta.

Amongst the fleet were current national champions and Sail Juice Series champions Simon Horsfield and Katie Burridge, past RYA squad sailor Mike Wood, sailing with Tristan Cook. Rob Burridge past national's winner sailing with his daughter Sarah. The Burridge's had a full family affair on the water with Gemma sailing with long standing class member Racheal Sheridan from Wilsonian SC. We had a couple of newcomers Dan Cruse and Robin Naisby who travelled only 30 mins down the road from Dorchester SC. Jon Nuttall with daughter Amelia travelling from Tenby Sailing club, the host club for the 20th Anniversary 'Festival of Sailing' 2000 UK Nationals 2019. Great to see and welcome new members.

Four races took place with two raced in the morning with a lunch break, to allow the sailors to sample the delights of the galley. 1400 hrs or 2 pm allowed the sailors to race another two races. The slick on the water management was first class and there were very few delays, apart a cheeky 'General Recall' due to the fleet all getting a little bit confident in race 3.

2000 class Millennium Series Round 1 at Burghfield - photo © Phil Harland

Usual suspects were in the top pack namely Simon and Katie, battling hard against Mike and Tristan. Rob and Sarah would take advantage of this securing 2nd place in the first two races. Further down the fleet Kev and Jonny, Chris and Gillian Jordan, Tim and Linda Hulley had a fantastic event which saw positions changing practically every leg of the race track, very close racing in deed.

The prize giving took place at 1730 hrs and this year the class association have decided to award medals, taking a step away from the usual glass tumbler, mug or trophy. The results were very close and 1st place was decided by 'Count Back' and this came down to the last race. Winner of the first millennium series event was Mike Wood and Tristan Cook from the RAF Sailing Association. Second was Simon Horsfield and Katie Burridge from the Army Sailing Association. 3rd place was Rob and Sarah Burridge from Weir Wood SC.

2000 class Millennium Series Round 1 at Burghfield - photo © Phil Harland

The 2000 Class Association would like to thank Burghfield Sailing club for delivering a great event. Special thanks to Virginia Leigh for all her hard work on the admin before and during the event. Race Officer Roger Philips and his team for first class on the water management to allow 4 superb races.

If after reading this has wetted your appetite to give sailing a 2000 a go then please do look us up on FaceBook, Twitter or Instagram, our website or Festival of Sailing Nationals website for more details. The class welcomes all ages and abilities. You can be part of a fantastic group of people sailing 'Probably the best entry level family asymmetric performance dinghy in the world!

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