The final countdown is on to the start of Burnham Week 2021
by Sally Harbott 25 Aug 06:35 PDT
28 August - 4 September 2021
Burnham Week Day 3 © Alan Hanna
The final countdown is on to the start of Burnham Week 2021. There is the usual traditional feel and classes along with vibrant new events to keep the week up to date.
In the cruisers, there is a choice between IRC racing, local handicap and white sails racing. Classes 1 and 2 are IRC and have a plethora of trophies for which to race. The final Saturday is, as always, the Town Cup, which this year has the EAORA Houghton Cup running within it. Two of the oldest and most prestigious trophies on the East Coast up for grabs.
Entry details on www.burnhamweek.com
Classes 5 and 6 are local handicap with Class 5 racing with spinnakers, Class 6 without and again have many trophies to compete for. They have a fantastic race on the final Saturday where they all race for the Commodore's Cup as well as their own class trophy for the day.
The Squib fleet have a great class and the event is a really good warm up for the forthcoming Squib Nationals. As always, the fleet are preparing to sail hard, enjoy competitive close racing, and then come ashore and party!
The Dragon class also has a good number of entrants, with all the top local sailors competing. The Elites have their racing over the first Bank Holiday weekend and race for the Princess Caroline Bowl. The other one design classes, 707, RCOD and RBOD are all running for the eight days; with the 707s having the majority just doing the Bank Holiday weekend.
The Ospreys race from Pile House for the Bank Holiday weekend, and as a class are long term supporters of Burnham Week. The Phantom and dinghy handicap have their racing up river over the Bank Holiday weekend and go from the Burnham Sailing Club, racing in the town.
SUPs and kayaks are new this year and the SUPs first race in Burnham Week is on the Saturday at the start of the week. After the race, they have many more events planned, all in the town, providing some great entertainment for onlookers. The gigs are rowing again and they race hard, rowing through the town; this event on Monday will be best viewed from the Quay from the Royal Burnham up to Priors.
The week concludes with the traditional fireworks at 9pm on Saturday 4th September, this year from a pontoon on the river, with great views from the Burnham Sailing Club, The Royal Burnham and the Royal Corinthian and anywhere along the seawall in between. Firing as it gets dark, it is a fantastic way to finish a great eight days of competitive sailing, and on shore socialising.
Burnham Week details are all available on www.burnhamweek.com and it is not too late to enter.
All action during the week will be on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/burnham_week and Facebook www.facebook.com/BurnhamWeek so keep up to date on social if you cannot join us.