The eagerly awaited Burnham Week returned on August 28, and got off to a great start.

The opening weekend was challenging for the competing sailors with strong winds and east coast tides.

However, that didn't stop the 115-strong entry from enjoying the races.

It had one of the largest entries the regatta has seen for some years.

The MOCRA multihulls were first out on Saturday morning and raced a 15-mile course.

Read more: Burnham Week returns after last year's postponement

Julian and Adrian Linton, Lloyd Turner, and Ian Cuthberton from Island Yacht Club Canvey Island took four race wins to secure the national championship title.

In Cruiser Class 1 and 2, Phillip Harbott and his team on Mantra (Aphrodite OOD 101) secured the Watson Cup.

John Saunders and team Jeannie (Elan 31) took the top spot on the Sunday and won the Thalassa Trophy, and won the overall series on the final day.

In Class 5, the team on Grace and Danger (Hustler SJ27) scored two firsts on the opening two days and won the series overall.

And the MGC27 Ophelia sailed by Burnham Sailing Club members Richard Moore and Roger Tolhurst won Class 6, finishing one point ahead with four points.

With 10 boats the RS Elite class enjoyed close racing and visitors Paul Fisk from Emsworth Sailing Club and crewman Richard Tucker won overall.

The Royal Burnham One-Design, which turns 90 next year, mustered the largest local one-design fleet with eight boats which also enjoyed close racing.

The Bank Holiday Weekend Silver Tankard is the main competitive attraction in the Royal Corinthian One-Design fleet.

Justin Waples and his team of Steve and Lizzie Rands aboard Cormorant won overall with an impressive three win scoreline. 

The East Coast One-Designs made an appearance this year and Widgeon (Ian Wilson/Dan Hally) finished with two first places.

Peter Marchant, Katie Cole, Noddy Norden, and Harriet Butler aboard Beauty and the Beast took the overall win in the Dragon fleet.

In the Hunter 707 class, BQ (Billie Quinlan/Clare Dallimore) won the series by two points.

The Squib fleet was the largest class on the water, and one of the most competitive for the weekend’s David Eagling Memorial Trophy and Brian Waples Memorial Trophy.

Spoof (Micky Wright and Alex Porteous) took the overall win.

A total of 25 dinghies took part with fleet racing for the Osprey, Phantom and a Dinghy Handicap class.

The Phantoms turned out with 10 boats on the startline.

Bob Portway from Royal Harwich Yacht Club won with four first places.

Graham Dale-Jones, with one win in the opening race and 14 overall points, took second place.

Robert Shaw from Kielder Water triumphed in the Osprey fleet, finishing three points ahead of Alex Mamwell from Coniston Water Sailing Club.

In the Fast Handicap fleet, Eamonn Browne in his Sprint 15 from Creeksea Sailing Club took the trophy with a last race win. 

For the first time organisers expanded the event to include divisions for stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and river swimmers.

Spectators enjoyed all the action just off the town quay after yacht racing finished.

The Bank Holiday prizegiving took place after racing on Monday with awards presented by Olympic 49er gold medallist, fresh from Tokyo Olympics, Stu Bithell.

The official event charity is Essex Air Ambulance.

The annual Duck Race in aid of the Essex Air Ambulance takes place this Saturday.

Tickets cost £1 and are available to purchase at all clubs and the White Hart pub.

The event is set for 11am from the pontoon at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.

For results and more information go to www.burnhamweek.com.