Squib Gold Cup 2021 at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Burnham

Squibs celebrate arrival of summer at the Gold Cup © Roger Mant Photography

Wow was it really two years since the last Gold Cup? Much has happened since the last event and as boats started to turn up on Friday, it was clear that some had made the most of the time to fettle their boats and get the smoothest finish possible.

However for others, cobwebs were dusted off and discussions as to how exactly to sail the boats were heard. 6 visitors travelled to Burnham and the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club and it was great to see boats such as Squiblet (Abersoch) and Buccaneer (Isle of Wight) making the journey.

A short delay on Saturday as the wind took its time to arrive however the 25-strong fleet were soon on their way to the race course. Some were a bit delayed as they treated themselves to a visit to the mud but thanks to one of the Club's RIB were shortly on their way without getting their feet wet.

As ever Edwin Buckley and Team Phoebe provided four fantastic windward-leeward races on the Saturday. The fleet were seen to dive down to the line to manage the impact of the tide and hit the north shore for multiple short tacks up to the windward mark. In the first race it was Malcolm and Jackie Hutchings in Lady Penelope who showed us how it was done and took first place. The windward mark took a few scalps and there were turns aplenty before the spreader mark.

Races 2 and 3 saw Nigel and Jack Grogan (Helmut Sho'ing) get back into the swing of things and find that higher gear with wins in both races, however behind them a real battle was starting to emerge with a number fighting it out for the other top spots - Dan and Hattie Henderson (Maverick) in their first Squib open event, David Pinner and Jono Baker (Discord) back for more after their sinking in the 2019 Cup, and local team Micky Wright and Alex Porteous (Spoof) consistently nipping at the heels of the leaders.

In race 4, and with a start where two battling trimarans weaved their way through the fleet, it looked like Simon Griffin in Brutus would take the win as he hit the shore first and led the fleet round the first lap. However he was reeled in by the last lap and it was Ian Gray and Ian Simons in Chequemate who took the win.

Sailing completed for the day, beers were drunk on the balcony in glorious sunshine and the results tallied up. With discards yet to kick in, the Grogans and Micky and Alex were on equal points at the top, however with another four races on Sunday and two discards this could all change.

Squibs celebrate arrival of summer at the Gold Cup - photo © Roger Mant Photography

The good weather continued into Sunday and the fleet were soon up and racing. The Grogans continued their winning ways into race 5 however were pushed all the way and it was the Hendersons who took the win for race 6.

Races 7 and 8 switched to triangle-sausage courses and this tripped up a few who missed mark 3 on their way to the finish. Race 8 finished with a general recall and the U flag making an appearance.

Malcolm Hutchings (with new crew, Andy Carley) made the bold move to seek a spot right at the pin end but with no space and finding themselves on port were spat out the back. A little while later, a parking on the mud helped them in their decision to head back home and win the race to the bar.

Meanwhile the Hendersons and Grogans were going head to head along with Phil Rust and James Venner (Artemis II) who had found their usual turn of speed and were back up at the front. For those of us who may not have started as well as we would have liked it was a game of catch up, and the few boats who hit the south shore were richly rewarded making up many places.

Ultimately it was another win for the Grogans who had already got the Cup in the bag before the last race with Artemis II taking second ahead of Maverick.

Spinnakers were up all the way back to the moorings, and our many thanks go to Rice & Cole for lifting out the visitors, before a socially distanced prize-giving by the club crane.

In third place and also taking the Silver fleet cup were Dan and Hattie Henderson in Maverick. Second placed were the consistent team of Micky Wright and Alex Porteous in Spoof, whilst it was the Grogans in Helmut Sho'ing who were the recipients of a rather dusty Gold Cup.

Overall a great weekend had by all, fantastic racing in glorious sunshine. Many thanks to Edwin and Team Phoebe as well as everyone at RCYC for making it a great return to squib racing at its best!

Squibs celebrate arrival of summer at the Gold Cup - the leeward mark - photo © Roger Mant Photography

Overall Results: