John Torrance Memorial Trophy at Burnham Sailing Club
by Sally Harbott 31 Aug 2023 10:48 PDT
30 August 2023
Wednesday evening saw the annual dinghy race from the Burnham Sailing Club in memory of John Torrance who contributed so much to sailing at Burnham and beyond.
34 dinghies came to race and started well in a fair breeze, but as the race unfolded the wind dropped off more and more. The fleet sailed laps outside the front of the club and with wind from the North, a windward leg was tricky as the tide was still ebbing.
Twenty four boats made up the fast handicap fleet with Blazes, Phantoms and a range of Lasers, RS200s and a Solo. As the race unfolded, the Blazes were going well and keeping themselves in contention alongside Ben Harden in his RS200 and the Phantoms. On corrected time Charlie Matthews won in his Blaze, with Bill Taylor in his Phantom second and Ben Harden in the 200 3rd.
In slow handicap, there were 5 Laser 4.7s and an RS Feva. On corrected time the Feva sailed by Harry Courts won with Ethan Hague second and Amelia Kilgour third.
The Optimist trophy was raced for by an Oppi and a Tera sport. Noah Mathers in his optimist taking the win.
Prizegiving followed at the Club with Julie Torrance presenting the trophies to the winners before a great evening of dancing to a live band on the decking!
Sadly today saw the AP over A fly for Day 6 of Burnham Week as there was not enough breeze to race. The squib fleet promptly set up a game of rounders on the mill fields for all those who wanted to join. And festivities continue ashore with the ECOD and Dragon class dinners.
Full results and photos at www.burnhamweek.com/results-2023 with photos being in the gallery.