What a great week it was for the Burnham Squibs! Not only socially, but on the water, too, despite two non-sailing days. A total of 29 Squibs braved the week, including just one visitor – (the Rusty boys), this included sailors of all ages and was by far the biggest one-design fleet on the river.
The Bank Holiday weekend was hotly contested. In Race 1 Dan and Charlie, 192 took line honours racing Firework for the first time. Race 2, Jack and Alison sailing 221 Budgies Tongue ruled the roost and Race 3 was won by Malcy and Andy in the ubiquitous Lady Penelope, Squib 819 . Micky and Alex sailing 811 Spoof put in yet another top 3 result and then took race 4. …………..and finally, Stuart Mears, in Dave Hyde’s 846 Sophie, buiLt up a commanding lead to win the final race of the weekend. With one discard of a 4th place, it was Micky and Alex who won the weekend by 5 points from Malcy and Andy.
The first Squib Social was the Sunday Rum Punch Party at the rear of the Squash Courts. (Sounds like being back at School). 70 Litres of Rum Punch – it had to be drunk. People turned up in loud shirts and the conversation got even louder! A fitting celebration of Nigel Grogan and Micky Wright’s birthdays, after which everybody strolled unsteadily to the Corinthian, to dance the night away.
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Not, we are told, solely due to the Rum Punch, the mid-week Squib Fleet was diminished to 20 Boats, however we were still the biggest fleet on the river!
Tuesday Race 1, saw Micky and Alex taking line hours, closely followed by Robert and Tracy in 823 Humphrey.
Wednesday, and Race 2 saw Malcy and Jackie take line honours with Robert and Tracey taking second spot. Humphrey and Spoof were on level points, it Micky and Alex, took the Mid-Week Trophy on countback.
Unfortunately, Thursday’s race 3 and Friday race 4 were abandoned due to poor conditions. Maybe this was a blessing in disguise, as we had kind invitations from Malcy and Jacks Tuesday evening of Chilli and Paella and then Ray and Debbie Mexican night on Thursday evening. As always both nights catered with fabulous food, washed down by copious quantities of alcohol.
Super-strong tides and a lack of wind unfortunately meant no Thursday’s race 3 or Friday race 4. Maybe this was a blessing in disguise, as the flett had serious social business to address, first at Malcy and Jacks on Tuesday evening for Chili and Paella and then Ray and Debbie’s Mexican night on Thursday evening. Two memorable evenings, so many thanks to our brilliant hosts.
On Friday evening, we were joined by the Sandhoppers for our Class Dinner. Many thanks go to Simon and his team for a fabulous meal. During dinner, Gavin presented the Dick of the week award with a very funny performance. It was a close call between between Dan for his Granny Knots (and excruciating karaoke efforts) but it was deservedly awarded to Jonny Beale for the brilliant if misguided tactics of going inside a parked Squib that he thought, was not aground. True class!
After dinner, ( yet another evening that some will barely remember) – more dancing and distractions in the bar c/o DJ Wasto and Hall.
The Saturday trophy day was also the Dueer Cup, so coming second was not the place to be – as we all know a speech lasting the amount of time between first and second place must be written and performed by the unfortunate runner-up.
Micky and Alex won , condemning Robert and Marc to second place. We’re all looking forward to Robert’s oration the end of year prizegiving.
Huge congratulations to Micky and Alex for a brilliant clean sweep through the week. A great performance by any measure.
Roll on next year!