Lightning368 Southern Championship at Cookham Reach Sailing Club

Lightning368 Southern Championship 2014 at Cookham © Ben Singleton

Lightning368 Southern Championship 2014 at Cookham © Ben Singleton

Lightning368 Southern Championship 2014 at Cookham © Ben Singleton

Seventeen turned out for an upstream start which was to take the fleet round a boomerang three mark course setting off from the clubhouse, then upstream an upwind around two buoys to starboard and back down to the club. Four boats vied for front row on the line at the start having fended off a port tacker playing bumper cars. The light northwesterly wind and slight stream split the fleet of seventeen almost from the off, and the tail-ender took 10 minutes to cross the line.

During the earlier briefing the fleet were warned that the first race would coincide with 75 paddleboarders coming down the Thames competing in a long distance event, and to treat them as an obstruction. There is always something to add a bit of extra excitement (or some say frustration) to river sailing.

As it turned out they passed by without incident taking the Bucks bank line with the Lightnings preferring the Berkshire side. More of a problem was the cruiser that bulldozed through the fleet despite calls from the safety boat and sailors to slow down and keep clear. Richard Palmer led from the first lap and unperturbed by the 45 degree wind shift continued to the finish; 50 lengths ahead of Martin Evans with Jack Barratt coming in third.

Breaking for a lunch, everyone greatly enjoyed the salmon or chicken en croûte, sitting outside and taking in the warmth of the midsummer day's sun.

For the second race, The breeze had picked up to force 3 but then dropped off at the one minute signal. At the gun, Caroline Key was over and had to wait until the fleet had passed before doing her penalty. She systematically moved back through the pack into third by the end of the first lap, and finished second with Richard ahead and Martin third.

Race three quickly followed. Richard and Jack, feeling bold, pushed to the line where they both stalled with ten seconds to go but couldn't't hold and were judged to be OCS, but Caroline and Martin timed it perfectly and took an early lead. In the light winds, roll tacking and gybing were key to gaining an advantage, a few boats at a time. Richard caught up and led to the finish for his third win of the day, followed by John Claridge and Alex Baxter.

A lovely day's sailing, frustrating at times - with the many other water craft to contend with, but that's all part of river sailing, and adds to the enjoyment.

Grateful thanks to Cookham and the many non-sailing duty teams who made the event possible. Thanks also to the visitors and their supporters, especially Alan Saunders who travelled from the South Coast for his first Lightning Open.

Overall Results: