25 years of Lightnings

Anniversary nationals held at Grafham

2003 is the 25th year of Lightnings and saw 23 boats at Grafham for the national championships. The first race, in light and shifty conditions, saw Ian Gore lead around the first mark followed by Hugh Spencer, with the rest of the fleet not far behind. Ian held onto the lead until the final beat when Hugh slipped past to take the gun with Ian second. Ben Harris took third place with Caroline Key being first lady in fourth.

After a break for lunch, the second race was held in similar conditions. This time it was Hugh who led round the first mark followed by Ian. As before, it proved difficult for the leader to hold on and Ian managed to get past to take the winners gun, with Ben fighting through to take second with Hugh third. Last years champion, Mal Hartland had a better race finishing fourth.

The final race of the day was held in completely different conditions, with a force 5 appearing from nowhere to give some fantastic sailing. First at the windward mark was once again Ian, but slot gasket problems meant he had trouble keeping the boat afloat (and he was OCS anyway!) Mal took the lead and pulled away for a clear win. Second place was a very close battle between Hugh and Ben, with Ben being in the front at the end. In fourth place was Jack Norton. Mention must also be made of Penny Yarwood who was the only lady to finish this race, despite being 5 months pregnant!

Saturday evening saw the AGM, an excellent meal and a disco enjoyed by all. There was also the Grand Prize Draw, with prizes ranging from a new Lightning sail donated by Banks, a Lightning cover donated by Giles Reinforced Plastics and various bags, a watch and caps donated by Musto.

Sundays Race 4 was a trapezoid course held in very little breeze. Initially the right hand side looked good with Mat Pickett going well. However in the end left proved the way to go with Ian leading around the first mark followed by Mal and Patsy Harris. Mal crept past on the run, but on the second lap as the reaches turned into beats and the fleet got well mixed with the Supernovas, Ian managed to retake the lead, Mal finishing second. Hugh, showing great consistency took third with Sean Carter taking fourth.

After postponing for a while, the decision was made to abandon any further racing. This left Ian as the clear winner, but second was a three way tie between Mal, Hugh and Ben, with countback putting them in that order.

Overall Results:

1st Ian Gore, Up River YC
2nd Mal Hartland, Bolton SC
3rd (and first veteran) Hugh Spencer, Royal Plymouth CYC
4th Ben Harris, Up River YC
5th Sean Carter, Bristol Avon SC

1st Lady - Sue Gilmore, Oxford SC
1st Junior - Jack Norton, West Oxfordshire SC