Burnham Week 2026 - Trophy Day
by Petru Balau 7 Sep 06:29 PDT
23-30 August 2025
Hullabaloo XV, helmed by David Evans, with Nicholas Evans, Andrew Oliver, William Chetwynd-Staypylton, Lizzie Brown, Robbie Hoooper and Tim Galloway wins the Town Cup at Burnham Week 2026.
Trophy Day started with what can be described as perfect sailing conditions, yet, as the day progressed, the wind became confused, with large shifts and almost dying completely at the end of the Town Cup race.
Despite the wind situation, most of the 70 boats, over eight classes, that took the start, finished, with only three not completing their race.
The Commodores Cup & Penrose Fitzgerald Trophy was won by Phil Aspinall, helming the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club 707 with the bow number 4 and was crewed by Dave Sheppard, Brett Hague and Bill Wright.
The Roach Trophy, awarded to boats in class 6, was won by Richard Moore and Katy Firmin, sailing on Ophelia.
The Dinghy Town Cup was won by James Hutton Penman, sailing an ILCA 6.
The Inner Crouch trophy, winner of the East Coast One Design Trophy Day race, was won by Nicholas Cottrell's Nancy.
Lards Cup, winner of the Trophy Day Royal Burnham One Design race, was won by Stephen Herring, Mel Lewis, David Harris and Ralph Herring, sailing on Red Jacket.
Royal Corinthian One Design's Bar Yacht Club Trophy was won by Justin Waples, with Steve and Lizzie Rands.
Burnham Week Bowl, awarded to the winner of the Trophy Day Squib race, was won by Nic Tolhurst and Ross Corbett, sailing on What's the Story.
JCC Duck Race Trophy, awarded for the most ducks sold, to raise money for the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, went to Sheena Cosens.
Jean Fisk Jug, the Burnham Week Special Trophy, was awarded to the youngsters Sam Buckley and Seb Warren, not only good sailors, but also creators of the Burnham Week App, launched at this year's event.
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Burnham based sailmaker Lonton & Gray, provider of quality sails for dinghies, one design boats and all cruisers up to 50ft, can boast more than a century of sailing experience between the two founders and the working relationship dating since 1970 is testament to their dedication to the craft.
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Despite business opportunities taking him away from the area, Mickey Gooch never forgot the wonderful times spent sailing on the river and his contributions to the organisation of Burnham Week were very well received by the committee and competitors alike.
Burnham Yacht Harbour has been a constant feature of the town' s sailing life since its opening in 1989.
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The special ones
Every Burnham Week edition has its moments that will be remembered over the years and the 2026 edition is no different.
Ant Law, soon to cross the 80 years mark, one of the most vocal supporters of the dinghy sailing on the Crouch and the main driving force behind the highly successful ILCA/Laser cross clubs fleet from the river, won the top spot for the Dinghies Fast Handicap over the Bank Holiday Weekend.
Despite retiring from the fleet, Simon Griffin made a return this year and still caused mayhem in the Squib fleet, even though he was sailing on a RBOD.
With a total crew age of over 160, Bill Jones and Brian Tucker, sailing on Magic Roundabout, did not give up in the last race and completed the race.
Alex Porteous, legend of the Squib class in her own right and virtual caretaker of Squib trophies, since she keeps winning them, showed a more combative side this edition of Burnham Week, when she engaged in a fierce water pistol battle with the youngest sailor in the regatta, Toby Hall.
Chef Gavin Kemp, well known for his five star Squib Racing Lunches, suspects some voodoo foul play, the only explanation for the amount of breakages he and his helm Nick Milton suffered aboard their Squib, Atalanta.
As the end of Burnham Week fireworks echo into the night, there is not a lot of time for melancholy, as The St. Mathew Cup, raced annually between the clubs on the river, is scheduled for Sunday, this time organised by Creeksea Sailing Club and plenty more to sail for, with more sailing events scheduled well into winter.