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For the first time in recent history the National Twelve Owners Association decided to change the format of Burton Week this year from its normal 6 day to a 4 day event. In addition the event was moved from its more traditional August date to the May bank holiday. The two changes combined to give the dramatic increase in attendance over recent years with 80 boats heading for the start line.

The big question on everybody's mind before the event got underway was how Jo Richards new and radical design would fair against others. With a limited number of outings since he finished building, it was very much an unknown quantity. Race one showed the boat to be fast and though Graham and Zoe took the bullet Jo was not far behind. After this it very clearly became Jo’s week as throughout the very varied conditions (from F1 to F7) Dead Cat Bounce had an edge and took the remaining 6 race wins in a row.

This is not to say that there was not fierce competition throughout the fleet and with a high attendance of AC boats and a great showing of Vintage boats there was all to play for. The event was a huge success and with the full breadth of wind strengths (the Burton Cup race on Monday started as a force 7 and ended as a force 1!) there were challenges for all. The NTOA would like to thank all the sponsors of the event for their generosity including: Aardvark Technologies for the Pimms; Fullers for the Beer; P&B for the Jib and ancillary prizes; Alverbanks for a Jib token; Gill for the main Gill series prizes; Chaucer's for the printing and Designs 42 for the website.

But the biggest thanks goes to all those who attended and made the event the huge success that it was and we hope to see you and others again next year. Full results will be posted here as soon as they become available.