All change in the Endeavour Trophy

The 64th Endeavour Trophy, the Champion of Champions event at Burnham-on-Crouch, has seen a dramatic twist in the results after a request for redress was reopened by the Protest Committee when they realised that a significant error may have been made at the initial hearing.

At the time, Mike Sims and Rob Gullan were awarded redress in Race 3 after their outhaul failed at the final rounding of the leeward gate, which result propelled them to first overall, but when RRS 61 was consulted again after the hearing it was realised that this may have been incorrect.

At the initial hearing, it was decided that 'On the evidence provided and that the boats had been provided for all competitors, in a spirit of fairness, it was considered by the protest committee that RRS 61 and Appendix D5 from the Team Racing Rules would be reasonable to apply, as it was considered that the 4th placed boat was some distance behind. It would be fair to give redress for the third position held at that time.'.

For the reopened hearing Mike Butterfield, IJ, IU, IRO was added as Chair.

For Redress to be granted under RRS 61, there had to be "an improper act or improper omission of the Race Committee or Organising Authority. The Organising Authority had contracted with Melges 15 to supply identical boats and effectively maintain them. The reopened hearing decided 'There was neither an improper action nor improper omission of the race committee or organising authority. Therefore, the requirements for redress in RRS 61.4(b)(1) are not met.'. The Protest Committee believed the Organising Authority had acted reasonably in contracting the boat supply to Melges, and was not responsible for the defect. Mike Sims is appealing this decision.

Full details can be found on the Official Notice Board here.

With the event being restricted to one day, due to the 53 knot gusts on Saturday as Storm Amy rampaged across the UK, there were no discards in the four race series. This will inevitably have significant implications for the overall outcome.

Edwin Buckley, Race Officer and organiser of the event since 1997, commented:

"Having the results change like this after the event is far from ideal, but for such a prestigious regatta we need to make sure we get things right. I have huge sympathies for Mike and Rob in the circumstances, but everything at the time was done in good faith by the Protest Committee. It was an unfortunate error.

"We will learn from this as an event, to try and ensure a situation like this doesn't happen again, but overall can reflect on what was a superb event, with the Melges 15 proving to be an excellent boat in extremely windy conditions. We look forward to welcoming the champions again next year."

The 65th Endeavour Trophy will be held between Friday 2nd and Sunday 4th October 2026, again in the Melges 15 class at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club at Burnham.