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Burnham Week Team Interview - with Phil Collard of Cobra

This week the Burnham Week Team interviewed Phil Collard of Cobra after he won the Stuart Paul Trophy at Burnham Sailing Club on Wednesday Night as follows:

Taken from:- Burnham Week - Official Website - www.burnhamweek.com

06/06/2024 Meet the Sailors Series

As we gear up for the thrilling Burnham Week Regatta 2024, we've caught up with Phil Collard the day after Cobra secured the Stuart Paul Trophy at Burnham Sailing Club. With a lifetime of experience and a passion for competitive sailing Phil kindly shared his insights into his journey, prep and expectations for Burnham Week 2024.

Phil's sailing journey began at 11 when he joined Benfleet's Sea Scouts, progressing to represent his school in national championships, guided by his teacher Ken Layzell.

He has been Involved with Burnham Week and EAORA since the late '70s, helming his own yacht, Rogue Robber, by 1982. This marked the start of his long relationship with Burnham Week, continuing until 1998 and resuming recently with Cobra, a Beneteau 34.7.

"As we gear up for our second year racing with Cobra, I'm lucky to have a seasoned crew, albeit a bit old and hard of hearing," Phil jests. "Last year, we sailed together in 44 races, refining our skills and strengthening our teamwork."

Looking forward to Burnham Week 2024, Phil eagerly anticipates the challenges ahead. "I can't wait to navigate the tide courses and cross the finish line with just enough water under the keel! And, of course, those scorching days on deck, discussing a 2 hour race over a 5 hour chat," he says with a grin!

We're excited to catch up with Phil and all the other participants when the excitement kicks off #BurnhamWeek2024

On the last weekend in September 2024, two trophies were up for grabs!

In addition to the Cruiser Fleet, we have the Cruiser Racer Fleet who have been busy this autumn too.
On the last weekend in September, two trophies were up for grabs in the Cruiser/Racer Fleet. Tucker Brown Cup (28th September) Saturday saw the Tucker Brown cup, which is an historic Cup, first presented in 1969. The race is always traditionally sailed with white Sails only, allowing no Spinnakers to be used. The weather was dry and sunny day with 10-15 knots of Breeze. It was Santa Evita that got away at the start and there was nothing that could catch her. She won on corrected time, by a massive 17 minutes.

Wizard Trophy (29th September) Sunday was the RCYC Wizard Trophy with six boats came to the line with a pleasant force 4 breeze from the SSE. Each boat had an individual start time with Trinco leading off at 10.30 followed by Voyager at 10.39, Layla and Coco at 10.43, Santa Evita at 10.44 and finally Ningaloo at 10.46. The race duration was 90 minutes with an upriver course as far as Canewdon, then back to Fairway 13 then Cliff Creek as a continuous loop until the 90 minutes had expired. Trinco maintained the lead until she was caught by Voyager after an hour of sailing. Santa Evita was close behind and with the use of their spinnaker got through Voyager on the first run up to Cliff Creek. On the next beat to Fairway 13 Ningaloo overtook Voyager at the mark to move into 2nd place. The 90 minutes expired, and Santa Evita was declared the winner with Ningaloo second, Voyager third then Trinco, Coco and Layla. All reported to have enjoyed a cracking good sail.
Santa Evita, has had much success this season and it was a glorious way to finish her 2024 season, with a double whammy.

EAORA REPORT
by Cobra - May 2024

The Patterson Cup on Saturday 25th May started with light to no wind with kedging and very little progress for the first three hours. The course was shortened Whitaker to port then back through the Swin Spitway to West Mersea. Cobra took line honours after 10 hours of racing.
Cobra was 1st in Class 2 and 5th overall.

The Ralph Herring Trophy on Sunday 26th May started wet and breezy for the 49 mile race back to Burnham. The foredeck crews were busy with numerous headsail, spinnaker and asymmetric changes as the wind increased to 25 knots on the beat back.
Cobra was 2nd in Class 2 and 2nd overall. 1st RBYC boat winning the Cecil Gatti Challenge Cup.