The Bussell Cup came home to Weymouth Sailing Club after remaining uncontested at Parkstone Yacht Club for 24 years. Our team of Merlin sailors beat the visitors by three races to none. The picture shows Sam Pasco and Sam Mottershead, Robin Clifton-Day (whose crew is not shown) and Mike and Penny Fenwick. Kathy Claydon is holds the cup.
The silver cup was presented by Mr WL Bussell on 1st June 1926 for inter-port races. The rules say: "The holder of the cup shall defend it by invitation in the waters and boats of each challenger in turn. The club, if any, which beats the holder by the greatest number of points shall be adjudged the holder for the ensuing year."
Although no club has challenged for it recently, many clubs from Lyme Regis to Poole have done so in the past. Weymouth decided to resurrect the tradition this year, as part of our Centenary celebrations, by challenging Parkstone.
Parkstone's Commodore, Dick Linford, is seen here presenting the cup to Kathy Claydon. He vowed to continue the tradition of the cup by challenging for it next year. Maybe some other clubs will do so as well, so our team will need to travel to several places to defend it.
Submitted on 28th July 2013