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HMS St. Mathew Cup 2024 at the Royal Burnham Yacht Club
1 September 2024
In a thrilling finale, the Burnham Sailing Club team emerged as champions of the 2024 HMS St. Mathew Cup, held on a sunny Sunday after Burnham Week. The upper Crouch River provided a stunning backdrop for this competitive race.
The historical significance of the Royal Burnham Yacht Club dates back to 1940 when the Admiralty requisitioned part of its premises to accommodate administrative staff for crews of the Coastal Force boats under Captain Dane RN. The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club similarly housed boys from the Training Ship Exmouth during this period.
Subsequently, the Royal Maritime Training Centre was relocated from Dartmouth to Burnham and commissioned as HMS St. Mathew, under Captain Dane’s command. During this time, Navy personnel and landing craft crews were housed throughout the town, with additional accommodations provided at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.
In recognition of the collaboration between the town, yacht clubs, and HMS St. Mathew personnel, Captain Dane and his officers established the HMS St. Mathew Cup. This trophy has been awarded annually, with clubs providing one-design boats to ensure fair competition among all participating clubs.
Since 2019, the HMS St. Mathew Cup has been held on the Sunday following the Burnham Week Trophy Day, featuring teams from the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Royal Burnham Sailing Club, and Burnham Sailing Club. Creeksea Sailing Club joined this prestigious event in 2023.
Each team fields 8 boats, including RS Elites, 707s, Squibs, Royal Corinthian One Design, Royal Burnham One Design, Laser/ILCA 6, Phantom, and Blaze. The race commenced from the Royal Burnham Yacht Club and involved a course that went eastward to Fairway 3, followed by two laps around Cliff and Canewdon, ultimately returning to the RBYC finish line. Nick Tolhurst, sailing the RCYC Blaze, led the race almost entirely before being overtaken by an RS Elite on the second downwind leg to Canewdon.
Ultimately, the youthful Burnham Sailing Club team demonstrated superior energy and skill, winning the 2024 HMS St. Mathew Cup, with the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club team finishing a close second. The competitive spirit of the event was evident from the start, with participants taking great pride in representing their respective clubs. Charlie Matthews, captain of the winning team and Blaze East Coast champion, noted, “This is the one I want to win the most.”
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Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.
