Congratulations to Steve and Sarah Cockerill

With the forecast looking dire for most of the week and barely an isobar anywhere in the UK, things weren't looking promising for Burghfield's annual RS400 open meeting. But as the weekend drew closer, things started to look a little better. On the day, warm, bright sunshine and a very gentle breeze ranging between calm and F2-3 was enough for 11 teams to contest the event, four home boats joined by seven visitors.

The weather gods had dealt us what is probably the most tricky wind direction at Burghfield - a southerly across the width of the lake. So, almost everyone sampled a moment of glory at some point during the day, often quickly followed by utter calamity. But Steve and Sarah Cockerill signalled their intent by taking the first race convincingly and sealed victory in a gradually building breeze in the final race winning by a considerable distance.

Pushing the Cockerills all the way were Steve Restall and Chris Stubbs from Downs SC. A second in Race 1 and a first in Race 3, left them well positioned with one race to go, but a third place wasn't enough to trouble the Cockerill's.

Sean Cleary and Annalise Nixon from Oxford SC finished third overall with a consistent 3,5,2 scoreline. Other notable performances were Dave Hereward and Claire Shepherd from Datchet Water SC who nailed a first in Race 2, Howard Farbrother and Lou Hosken from Queen Mary SC posting a good second place in Race 3, and best Burghfield team James Cutler and Alan Glanville in sixth recording two very creditable fourth places.

So, a successful event for the Club on a hot, very light wind day, ably marshalled by Peter Blackman and his race team. Thanks also go to Virginia Leigh for her usual faultless results service.

Next stop is Lee on the solent on the 13/14 of july

Steve Middleton

Photos Peter Blackman