Page updated: 28 June, 2008

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Burwain Open Regatta Report

Reporter: Andrew Davey

With a six race format planned for the Silver Salver Open meeting over the 21,22nd of June, Club and competitors were all set for a clash of the titans between last years winner Chris Pickles and Laura Westell from Delph sailing Club, and Burwain's hot favorites

All were aware of an impending weather system moving up from the South, but Saturdays first race at 13:30 was kept on schedule by a very well organised (and modest! ..ed) race committee

Race 1 start was a hotly contested, so much so that a dozen boats were over the start, prompting the black flag to be used for the re-start.
Not to be outdone Stephen Graham then decided the only way to start was with a port end flier, as the seconds ticked down things looked good until the fleet closed down on him causing a few 360`s to be done and a few words said. A well planned route up the first beat saw Chris and Laura in the RS200 and the RS 300 of Stephen Cronshaw lead the fleet followed on by Stephen and Daniel in the other 200, who recovered well from their earlier mistake and Innes and Daniel in the first of the GP14`s
This stayed much the same until the finish but on corrected time it was the Gp14's of Innes followed by Peter Dewhurst who had the 1, 2 finish with third going to Chris Pickles in the RS200

Race 2 got under way first time with the black flag in evidence from the off.
Places changed constantly in the dying breeze and with rain falling heavily at the finish Stephen Graham took line honours and the win on corrected time. With a lot of moaning after the races nobody was to know of the impending wind and carnage that Sunday would bring

On Saturday night the club hosted a hog Roast and the live Jazz band ensured the evening was enjoyed by all who attended

As Sunday dawned the wind had changed from the force 2 to 3 breeze of the Saturday to what you could say was quite windy. As the officers and sailors admired the wind readings rise from 10 Knots to 25, a course was set and the first of the four races planned was started.
Everything seemed well enough for the 14 starters but at the start gun all hell let loose with boats upside down and the black GP14 of Peter Dewhurst on the Bank.
Giving credit to all those continued, the off wind legs were spectacular with numerous wipe outs and capsizes.
As boats started the second lap the wind really built up with winds of force 6, leading to what can only be described as carnage at number two mark as Innes Armstrong and Stephen Graham and the RS 200 of Chris Pickles all upside down, all victim of the building gusts which unfortunately ended the day for Innes with gear failure.
At the end Patrick Hamilton got the deserved win with Gary Dewhurst in runner up spot, but with another third for Chris and Laura in the 200 things where looking good for the overall title with a series of third places

Race 4 got under way with depleted competitors, again a very windy race and with spectacular off wind legs for the spectators. Chris in the 200 doing enough this time to get the win with Gary and Charles in the GP in second place and Third place going to Patrick in the Laser.

Taking safety into consideration, the last two races were abandoned giving Chris Pickles and Laura Westall from Delph SC a well deserved win overall.
Second place went to Gary, Charles and Nicola in the GP14, with third place going to Patrick Hamilton in the Laser

A big thanks to the ladies in the galley for the spaghetti bolognese for Sunday lunch, and Walter and Eric doing the results. Also thanks to Andrew Foulds helping me run a well organised meeting

I suppose I have to give the best capsize overall to the father and son team of Oliver and Peter Dewhurst. Peter just because he liked swimming more than sailing, and Oliver for doing a back flip out of the boat whilst going flat out

The Captain

Results and and pics to follow

Single Handed Championship Rescheduled

The Burwain annual Single Handed Championship should have been held on on Saturday 7th June, but due to lack of wind the event has been rescheduled to Saturday 6th September. The rescheduled event willl comprise two races, first race starting at 13:00 hrs with both races to count

So to all single handers - you haven’t missed this fantastic one day event, so please add this to your diaries accordingly

For further information on this event contact the captain 01282 606884

Laser Open meeting

Another Bright and extremely windy day greeted the 18 lasers for the Burwain Laser Open. With winds gusting regularly force 5 and above it certainly was a spectator day with fantastic wipe outs on the off winds legs

A big thank you must go to all the travelers who made the event a great success, and to the home members who dully gave us a big laugh with the numerous wipe outs

Winners on the day were:

1st Ian Lees Dovestone Sailing Club
2nd Adrian Sandilands Dovestone Sailing Club
3rd Andy Brown Budworth Sailing Club

>> Full Results

Sailfish Party May 5th 2008

View photos of the Sailfish party here

Action from the Sailfish Club 2008

Burwain Solo Open 19 April 2008

Report by Malcolm Waddington

Winds gusting to 40 mph were forecast for the Solo Open at Burwain on Saturday 19 April. This did not deter 10 travelers joining 4 home club members to take part in what turned out to be an event that, kept spectators entertained and rescue crews very busy in the testing conditions. Of the home crews, Stephen Graham and Alan Hargreaves made guest appearances in borrowed boats.

The officer of the day did not have any problems with setting course’s for any of the three races scheduled as the wind maintained a steady direction.

Race1
Pre start, crews were understandably, a little wary of gybeing. The first to try was Oliver Dumbleton, Nantwich & Borders (4553) who completed the gybe, successfully.
During pre start one helm decided the conditions were too much and returned to the bank.
This left 11 boats to cross the start line on schedule at 11-00 hrs.
First to succumb to the conditions was Jonathan Gledhill (4576) who after capsizing, had to be taken to the clubhouse to recover after inhaling half the lake.
Oliver Dumbleton (4553) led the fleet round the course until two marks from home he was overtaken but regained the lead for the last down wind leg. Oliver seemed to be handling the conditions comfortably until he was within sight of the line, when he was hit with an almighty gust, which buried the bows and forced the boat to capsize spectacularly. On righting the boat, it was soon apparent that the top section of the mast was broken and for Oliver, last year’s winner, the race was over.
Andy Fox (4748), who had a ringside seat to Oliver’s demise was the winner followed by Mark Weston (4725) and Stephen Graham (3828)

Race 2
After lunch, a depleted fleet started in condition’s, which, had eased but with quite strong gusts. Soon after the start Mark Weston (4725) tacked on to port to be followed shortly by the rest of the fleet. However he was not first to the first mark, Andy Fox (4748) followed by Mark and John Gledhill (4751). At the finish Andy took line honours with Mark, second and Richard Whittle (4715) taking third

Race3
After a short break, with the wind easing further, tempting those who had sat out the second race, the final race started with Andy Fox, the last of ten boats to cross the line. However, he powered his way to the front by the first mark, but close to the end of the race capsized and joined the rest of the fleet, bar two, to retire. This left Richard Whittle (4751) and fellow Burwain sailor Ewan Rowland (3660) to battle it out for the win, which went to Ewan

The event was won by Andy Fox with Mark Weston and Richard Whittle in second and third

>>View Photos of the event

>>View Results