Battle of the Classes

Over the last few years, the "Battle of the Classes" Dinghy pursuit race has run alongside the BMF London International Boat Show at the Excel center and has now become a major event in the dinghy racing calendar. This year, with Yachts & Yachting as headline sponsor and 55 widely differing entries, the weather co-operated to provide near perfect champagne (chilled) sailing conditions !

From our windy vantage point on the central spectator bridge the 100 minute race gradually unfolded below, with the 2 brave Cadets holding on near the front while 2 Rooster Streakers quickly moved into first and second place. By the halfway point the Burghfield "fleet" were steadily moving through the pack, with Amber & Jamie hanging in at 8th place, Mike Lyons on his Blaze gaining 5 places a lap, Christopher Robinson (Comet) holding 13th place and Simon Beddows (Blaze) locked into 35th !

Gusty conditions combined with large and sudden windshifts from the tall adjacent buildings required constant vigilance, along with avoiding the 3 catamarans that were now hurtling around the course. Some competitors were not so fortunate, with one asymmetric capsizing under the bridge then righting and sailing into a nearby moored steel canal boat.. (Apparently with some prospective customers on board!)

With temperatures in the 5-6'C range it all seemed positively tropical compared with the Bloody Mary race last weekend however after an hour it was evident that some competitors were tiring and the youngsters particularly seemed to slow down a little. Retirements also became more frequent, with 8 boats out and a few rescues under way. At the finish, the "Classes" trophy was deservedly claimed by the Streakers, (2,3)represented by Stephen Cockerill and Ian Jones while first place overall in the race was earned by an extremely well sailed Phantom, sailed by Andrew Couch (a previous winner I understand).

The Burghfield boats finished with a 13th/Blaze/Lyons, 24th/Feva/Browns, 29th/Comet/Robinson and 34th/Blaze/Beddows making Burghfield SC (I believe) the best represented Club among the finishers. With a fleet including 17 National Champions and 3 European Champions this was no small feat !

The Excel location is nowhere near as awkward to reach by car as one may expect (around an hour and a half from junction 7/M3) and once there, facilities for competitors (launching, parking, changing) are really rather convenient. We recommend the event, particularly if you also intend to visit the show !