History of the David G Burns Memorial Cup
In
August 1988 the Monaro District Model Yacht Club was formed by
Bruce Kennewell, Iain Kirley, Paul Cohen, Jeff Jones and David
Burns (who at that time was based in the US) The club only
raced ‘A’ Class yachts and depending on the day the worst one
could do was come fourth place in the race. Although in fact it
was a NSW Club, we raced our boats at the Lower Stranger Pond
that is situated in Tuggeranong (a Canberra suburb) in the ACT.
We
did very few regattas racing in our club as we all preferred to
travel interstate (Either NSW or VIC). This was great as there
were only four of us in the club we all fitted into two cars
giving a 100% turn out of all club members at these interstate
events.
We
travelled to quite a few events throughout Australia, however
South Australia seemed to be our favourite venue. Later as we
got established our club ran a few ‘A’ Class State titles and it
was later decided that we would host our own event called the
Monaro ‘A’ Class Challenge Cup.
The
Internet was not around in those days so many phone calls had to
be made to sailors that we thought would be interested in racing
in this event. To our surprise we had a great response with
challenges coming from Riverland RYC, Albert Park and one other
club (I think) the Bi-Centennary club in Homebush, Sydney, my
memory fails me here. (Ed. I think it could beWayne Swinnerton
from NSW.)
In
the first Round Robin Challenge Series it commenced with Rob
Guyatt and Paul Littledyke being the successful Challengers from
South Australia. I was the successful defender of the Cup for
our club, the Monaro District, I think it was done on, I have
the fastest boat?
The
challengers were sailing Rob Guyatt’s boat which was a very
quick a Adrian Brewer design called a Vapour Trail. I was
sailing another of his designs a Wizzle Wozzle. Both were fast
boats however my only excuse was that the Wizzle Wozzle needed
more than 3 knots to sail really well.
The Racing
The
short story was that I went down 4 to nothing to Rob and Paul
(Riverland RMYC), although I was leading one race all I could
say at the end of it I knew what it was like when Dennis Connor
lost the Americas Cup!!
The next year,
Ian Kirley and Bruce Kennewell challenged for the
trophy, which was by then with the Riverland RMYC. They were
unsuccessful in winning the Cup back (some weak excuse to do
with 40 degree heat and no wind). From this the cup became
something of great importance to win and many challenges were
made for it.
The Trophy has been competed for a number of times in Canberra,
Barmera (SA) and Sydney. The results have appeared in the ARYA
Newsletter after the events giving the results.
When
David Burns died I received a phone call from Iain and we all
attended his funeral, Bruce Kennewell gave the eulogy and it
touched us all.
Sometime later it was decided by Iain or Bruce that the “Monaro
Cup” be renamed the David G Burns Memorial Cup in memory of
David, the great ambassador for the sport that he was.
For
those that did not know David or ever had the opportunity to
sail against him I can assure you not only was he a good
sportsman and sailor but a gentleman. David would turn up
every Sunday at the Bowen Park, site for the Canberra Model
Yacht Club. David was helped by his wife Sandy to get the boat
on the water and that was about the only help he required
because on the water he was one tough customer to try and beat.
David was a respected competitor at all events and travelled
thousands of kilometres every year to compete and win. David
may have been disabled (after contracting Polio) but he was one
of the most able Model Yachters that this country had seen.(ED)
I saw sail the Marblehead Event at the 1984 Nats in Botany Bay
in Sydney,David walking with the aid of two walking sticks,
negotiating the sandy beaches, while racing.
So
that is the brief early history of the David G Burns Memorial
Cup, and for all those who have won and those who have
challenged you have done so for the memory of David.
Paul
Cohen and Iain Kirley.
POST
SCRIPT: I think we need to revisit this HISTORY of The David G
Burns Memorial Cup. There are some really worthwhile stories to
tell about it. The commeradery between all who raced it. I
believe it is still going today….. More at a later date.
Photos No1 Shows preparation before the races in Riverland SA
Far left G Pascoe,. Far right Les Swinnerton (NSW). Right of
boat in black hat Wayne Swinnerton (NSW).
Photo 2 David G Burns
Historian Stephen Crewes. 2008