Racing - What races are organised at Burghfield?

What are the different races at the club?

The list of the different races shown here is in approximate ascending order of difficulty for a new person to racing. It doesn't mean you have to follow the progression, as often there is more support for you from other fleet members at some of the other events, but it should give you an idea of how serious the racing might be taken by your fellow competitors.

Admiral's Club

This is a new facility for Burghfield for 2007, and the exact plans will be known soon. However, a quick summary is:

Designed for people relatively new to sailing, and very new to racing.
It is not a "teach you to sail from scratch" club, but it is aimed at those who have learnt to sail and are now wanting to progress further.
Ideally, you will be able to sail competently around a triangular course, and want to learn more.
It will certainly help you to improve your boat handling – which is the main limiting factor for most people!
Run on Saturdays through-out the summer.

For more details, Click here

Fleet Training Days

Each fleet within the club normally manages to organise 2 or 3 different training days during the year. Some of these might be straight boat handling improvements, while others will involve lots of short races for practise.

Run by the Fleets for the individual fleet members.
Designed for those who want to improve their sailing skills within their particular class of boat.
Typically consists of some theory and a lot of practical exercises.
For more details, choose your fleet by Clicking here

Wednesday Evenings

These events, held for 18 weeks in the summer, are very popular - both with complete beginners to the racing scene, and to those who are a lot more experienced.

The time when the lake is most crowded!
Wednesday evening races are a good time for beginners – the winds are generally lighter and the racing is less serious.
Because of the Personal Handicap, you can get good racing against other boats, however skilled or un-skilled you might be.
Start times range from 18:45 through to about 19:30 with the slower boats starting first. A mass finish is timed for 20:00 followed by a meal and drink in the Club at about 20:30.
For more details, Click here

Bank Holiday races

Each Bank Holiday from Easter Monday to the end of August there are a couple of races held.
These tend to have fewer people racing than on a Sunday or Wednesday, so the water is not crowded.
This can be a good opportunity to swap helms or crews, to try new ideas, or to gain more experience.
Normally these are Pursuit Races. With a "100 minute" in the morning (start at 11:00 = finish at 12:40); and a "70 minute" (start at 13:50 = finish at 15:00) in the afternoon.
The 8 races held count towards the Bank Holiday series results.

Special Events on Sundays

Between each of the main Club Series, there is often a special event held.
These may be all-in handicaps, or pursuit races, or fleet races.
For more details, check the club calendar for: Commodores Cup, Cock of Burghfield, Fleet Trophy, KGFS Pennant Race, Ladies Race.

Normal Sunday Racing

Sunday's are when the main racing at Burghfield takes place. The racing is organised into fleets and handicap racing, and the numbers on the water can vary between about 20 or 25 boats (when its cold and raining) to well over 100 (when its sunny and there is a good breeze blowing).

The main racing that takes place at the Club. Organised into fleets and handicap races:
- Fast Asymmetric - 11:00 and 13:30.
- Fast Handicap - 11:03 and 13:33
- Laser - 11:06 and 13:36
- Slow Handicap - 11:09 and 13:39
Normally there are 10 or 11 races in each series, and to qualify you need to have entered 5 or more races.
For more details, click here.

Open Meetings

Each of the fleets that are sailed regularly at Burghfield normally has an Open Meeting at the club at some stage during the year.
Visitors travel, often up to 150 miles, to attend these events.
Visitors from other clubs find the Burghfield Open Meetings very popular - because of the good competition, the way the events are run, the location of the club and the friendliness of the people here at Burghfield.
For more details, look at the Club Calendar for your class.

National Championships

Burghfield also run National Championships and National Inland Championships for a number of different classes each year.
The actual boats and classes involved change every year, as the classes like to visit different venues.
Burghfield has held National events for Moths, Larks, Optimists, Fevas, RS classes, Laser classes, Enterprises, Comets and many others in recent years.