The fourth Volvo RS Feva Grand Prix of the 2014/2015 season took place at Burnham on Crouch at the weekend and was hosted by the Burnham Sailing Club. Saturday saw 24 boats entered, and strong winds predominantly from the South West becoming more Southerly through the afternoon.
With the second biggest spring tides of the year, and this wind direction, the only beat was from the North Shore into the mouth of the Roach, so the fleet sailed down river past the Roach to race.
With fair tide for the first races at the start, PRO Digger Harden, Commodore of the Burnham Sailing Club put good pin end bias on the long start line. The first start saw the fleet hang back off the line a little, but many started right under the committee boat, beating over to near Branklet. Fin and Dan Armstrong got a clear lead and kept in on all three laps, places 2 to 6 were split over just 23 seconds, with Jack Miller and Lauren Bentley second and Daniel Lewis and Tristan Payne third. Jack Lewis and Lucas Marshall were fourth, with Charlotte Ormerod and Maddie Wylie fifth.
Race two saw a very messy first start, with several boats forgetting the spring flood tide would sweep them onto the committee boat. A general recall was inevitable, and boats were freed from the anchor chain before a new sequence was started. The second attempt was clean, and by the end of the two lap race, only eight minutes separated first and last. Youngsters Henry and Rupert Jameson won, with Fin and Dan Armstrong 22 seconds behind in second. Local Burnham Sailing Club sailors Chay Taylor and Niamh Davis were third with Daniel Lewis and Tristan Payne fourth.
The third race was towards the end of the flood tide, but the beat was still good. The start was good, with just an individual recall called. Michael and Samuel Dyer from Herne bay won, with Charlotte and Maddie taking second place. The Jameson brothers were third with Chay and Niamh taking fourth. Daniel Lewis and Tristan Payne took fifth with Will Caiger crewed by Catie Atkin scoring 6th, their best result of the day.
The last race was a start against a very strong spring ebb, and the beat was a fetch on the second leg. The positions on the water changed greatly, with many of the leaders overstanding the windward mark on the first lap, giving the chasing pack the chance to catch up. This was also true coming through the line after the leeward gate. The race was won by Fin and Dan Armstrong, giving them their second bullet of the day. Charlotte and Maddie took second again, with Chay and Niamh third.
Overnight with a discard taken, Fin and Dan Armstrong were leading, with Charlotte Ormerod and Maddie Wylie second. Chay Taylor and Niamh Davis were third and Henry and Rupert Jameson fourth level on points but ahead on countback from Daniel Lewis and Tristan Payne. The forecast for Sunday was for very little wind and plenty of rain, and sadly it was accurate. Racing was postponed and later abandoned, but not before the sailors had great fun just messing about in the river, with paddle races and plenty of swimming.
Prize giving followed in the Burnham Sailing Club with Commodore Digger Harden welcoming everyone to Burnham and thanking all those who helped to make it such a great event. The Grand Prix prizes were given out first, with the overall Grand Prix Series prizes awarded afterwards.
Overall for the series, in third were Fin and Dan Armstrong, second was Jack Lewis and Lucas Marshall, with Rory Odell and Josh Bonsey winning the trophy.
With thanks to to Volvo Car UK and Magic Marine for their support. With the support from these 2 fantastic sponsors we awarded the use of a Volvo with full tank of fuel to 3 families for the weekend, this all goes a long way in helping to keep our lovely young sailors attend events and get on the water and the wonderful prizes and vouchers from Magic Marine which keep the competitors kitted out in some fantastic kit!
Race report by Sally Harbott
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