Burghfield put on one of the best Blaze opens this season despite an unpromising start due to light winds. The first day was billed as an association training day with a single 'open' race to start the meeting. Trainer Steve Townsend struggled to set consistent practice start lines as the fitful 2 mph wind swung around, with the breeze disappearing altogether at times. Late afternoon and the formal race was re-designated as a 'practice' one given the conditions. It was notable for the performances at the front of first timers Chris Willis of Wimbleball SC and 15 year old Peter Lyons of the home club. All were relieved when a second practice was abandoned. With many of the visitors camping at the club an evening social was held locally.

The 19 competitors faced much better conditions on Sunday with winds of F2-3 most of the day and plenty of sun. The first race saw Paul Hemsley gain an early lead from Mike Lyons which he maintained for most of the race before the latter, holding to the right hand side of the beat finally pulled ahead. Roger Williams and Pete Barlow followed them. The second race was held in a gently increasing breeze. Lyons got an early lead before being overtaken by Will Hemsley. These two fought and covered each other for much of the remaining two laps with Lyons eventually regaining the lead. However the dual between them allowed Williams to clear both on the final beat to take the gun. This time in fourth was Dave Evans of Calshot followed by David Angwin of Burghfield.

The final race was critical for several of the leaders with Williams, Lyons and Paul Hemsley all capable of winning the event. Lyons led at the windward mark but the slightly superior speed offwind of Williams and Hemsley made the downwind reaches set by race officer Richard Goss a tense tactical battle. As the final beat started Lyons still maintained a tenuous lead with Williams electing to go low and fast to the left and Hemsley higher and to the right. With one of Burghfields islands fast approaching Lyons elected to cover Hemsley on the right allowing Williams to pursue his 'fast and low' tactic further. In the event when they converged again 100 metres from the finish it was Lyons who crossed in front to win the event.

While the home club dominated the event this belies the visible improvement across the fleet as the event progressed. The closeness of individual battles and the improvements in handling and boat set-up were testimony to the success of the weekend. The Burghfield training meeting looks to become a regular feature of the Blaze calendar.

1st 654 Mike Lyons - 2 points
2nd 665 Roger Williams - 3 points
3rd 656 Paul Hemsley - 5 points
4th 613 David Angwin - 9 points
5th 675 David Evans - 9 points
6th 607 Peter Barlow - 13 points