A hat-trick of big wins for Palmer in the Lightning368 class

It was a hat-trick of big wins for Richard Palmer this season when he sealed the Nationals, the Grand Prix Series and the Inland Championship... as well as the knot when he also got married!

Richard, of Cookham Reach SC, showed his intention during a closely-fought battle with Paul White at season opener Whitefriars. Second place behind last year's series champ Paul didn't really reflect the battle at this windy event and, already, it was obvious that Richard was eager to win this year after coming so close last season.

Oxford SC was the scene of the first 2014 win for Richard on a supremely light-wind day and another close battle, this time with youngster Alexander Baxter - who would become a genuine title contender during the year.

In fact, Broxbourne was to show just what a challenger Alex would become when he and Richard fought out a close battle on another light airs day - Alex taking this one by just one point.

With Richard absent at Manor Park, it was Paul White and Alex that started to set shape to the early season table as Caroline Key also began to make her move up the leaderboard.

Already, it was looking set to be another close year in the Lightning fleet with discards surely going to be instrumental once again as we progress over the next few months.

A dominating hatrick of race wins at home club Cookham Reach saw Richard return to the fray in style, showing the assembled Lightning regulars how it's done on the river!

Taking a break for the next couple of events, all of the usual suspects - including a stealthily rising Bryan Westley - were looking hopefully to the top of the table as the fleet arrived at Up River YC for another light day, a theme that would become a familiar one for the Lightnings overall this year. Paul nailed his colours to the mast by taking the event win and, with both Alex and Richard missing for this one, really began to close the gap, looking ominously well placed.

The Sea Championships at Weston SC lent the chasing pack every possibility to catch or put distance on Richard - although the arrival of Hurricane Bertha that weekend saw only one day of racing possible as Lymington's Robbie Claridge popped up to take the event and that particular title.

Next, it was off to Northampton SC for the fleet National Championships. The biggest fleet of the year so far (26) took to the water for a superb two days of closely fought racing that saw Richard, Paul, Alex and Caroline all in the mix and in touch of the title at some point over the weekend. It was Richard's ability to find speed and momentum in the light stuff on day one that really proved decisive and he claimed the Nationals trophy from Caroline and Paul.

A trip to the river at Bristol Avon started the home-run to the season close and with Richard skipping this one for the small matter of a wedding, Alex Baxter grabbed the bull by the horns to take a great victory to keep him at the sharp end of the series so far.

Haversham saw a day of building breeze - building from very light to almost planing - for the Inland Championships, with all of this season's established protagonists out on the water for a closely fought event at this popular venue. Richard vanquished all, with Caroline and Paul filling the podium here.

The final event of the year, at West Oxford SC, always has something of an end-of-term feel to it but, whilst Richard headed the table, it was still mathematically possible for Paul to snatch the series win - all he'd have to do was win all three scheduled races, hoping that Richard finished third or lower in every one... yes, it was that easy!

In the end, with both Paul and Richard absent on this mega-light-wind floatathon (Won by Matt Hopkins from Alex Baxter and Clive Evans), Richard took the 2014 Lightning368 Grand Prix series title.

A very popular win for this likeable bloke and a great way to cap off a superb year of trophy victories.

Yet again, then, the Lightning368 series went down to the wire but, more importantly, passed off amidst the usual smiles, friendly-rivalry and a fleet that sees close racing all the way from front to 'not-front'

So, as plans are finalised for 2015, we'll raise a glass to a more than worthy victor in Richard and three cheers to everyone in the Lightning fleet that have made this year another superb series.

All that's left to do now is to wish all sailors, of all classes, a very happy Christmas, fair winds and we'll see you again in the New Year.