Burnham Snipe Open

After a break of 29 years, a fleet of Snipes returned to
Burnham-on-Crouch to compete for the MacInlay Cup - first presented
in 1952 and last presented in 1968.  The event was something of an
experiment to see if future Opens could be staged during Burnham
Week, a high profile East coast of England regatta sometimes
referred to as the "Cowes of the East Coast".  The weather was
glorious both days.

At one stage 15 Snipes were promising to come but this was
disappointingly reduced to eight on race day.  We were given our
own start by the race committee and used the dinghy start line
overshadowed by the imposing Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.

Tim and Kay Tavinor were away first in their Devoti and led for the
first leg of a 13.5 mile course.  Nation Champions Peter
Wolstenholme and Alan Williams took over on the reach in their
evergreen McLaughlin and Brian and Ian Gregory pursued next in a
Persson.  Third place was in doubt until the final fetching leg as
the Tavinors and Richard and Nicky Lambert made a Devoti sandwich
out of Jonathan Simpson in his ITSA Marine.  The Lamberts
eventually got through on the run and covered from then on.

On Sunday Wolstenholme got away first but dropped four places when
he went to the wrong mark.  Tavinor took over persued by Gregory
and the Marshall brothers in their beautifully restored Skipper.
Wolstenholme's class told once again however as he regained the
lead after the short windward leg.  Tavinor and Simpson then missed
out a mark and were forced to retire.  This left Wolstenholme
first, Gregory again second, Marshall third and Lambert fourth.

The Royal Corinthian graciously offered us their first floor for
the prize giving which was attended by the Broughtons and 86 year
old Les Lancaster, both of whom had raced Snipes at Burnham in the
50s and 60s.  Everyone agreed Burnham was a fine venue and it is
now to be an established event on the UK Snipe circuit.

Final results:
				R1	R2	Pts
1st  	26671	P Wolstenholme	BVSC	.75	.75	1.5
		A Williams
	
2nd	28451	B Gregory	EYC	2	2	4
		I Gregory	
	
3rd	29164	R Lambert	BCSC	3	4	7
		N Lambert	
		
4th	20558	I Marshall	MYC	6	3	9
		R Marshall		
	
5th	29163	T Tavinor	MYC	4	7rtd	11
		K Tavinor
		
6th	27329	J White		MYC	7	5	12
		Young Lad		
		
7th	27871	J Simpson	MYC	5	7rtd	12
		Young Lad
		
8th	10070	G Campbell	EYC	DNC	DNC	16
		J Desmond					
	
Reporter:  Richard Lambert