The first day of Burnham Week – and the penultimate EAORA race of the season brought 19 boats in three Classes to the start line. Three starts got away in light airs on the shorter (42 mile) course. In Class 1, the enthusiasm of Inn Spirit and Heartbeat III helms resulted in pushing the line a little too early. With a high tide at 1030h at Burnham the earliest call for judgement was spotting the initial tide turn for the longish legs out, eventually to Barrow 3 and 5 via the Swin Spitway. As the breeze filled in Class 1 broke through Class 2 and 3 and with Richard Matthews’ new Tom Humphrey’s designed 42 ‘ Oystercatcher XXVI doing its first EAORA race, and developing a substantial lead over the fleet. At this points the day seemed set for a fairly processional routine return, back via Whitaker 6 and zig-zagging down the Crouch. En route tight fetching towards Whitaker 6, Heartbeat III, with Skipjack and Oystercatcher XXVI well ahead, observed that about ½ h behind, all the rest of the fleet were breaking out spinnakers on the same leg, which was remarked upon as being unusual. As we came round Sunken Buxey we noted about ¾ of a mile ahead in the distance, Oystercatcher dead in the water, with Skipjack closing, and Heartbeat III (us) closing on them. Excellent we thought, until we looked behind. To cut a story (which seemed long at the time and even longer now) the entire Class 2 and 3 fleet with Class 1 boats Ding Dong and Inn Spirit steamed up at what seemed like about 10 knots and sailed straight through us. Breezes were hard to find but the Class 2s and 3s maintained their advantage by choosing the right options. The Race Officer had made the decision to shorten the race near the Crouch buoy and all boats finished. Congratulations to Harvest Moon continuing a fantastic season, Wam Bam and Ace of Hearts III who took the first three places – all from Class 3, X-Factor – first Class 2 boat – 5th overall and Inn Spirit first Class 1 boat (despite a 1% time penalty), 11th overall. A frustrating race for some, but reinforces that it ain’t over till the fat duck quacks.
