Lightning368 Open at Cotswold Sailing Club
by Andrew Young 10 May 2011 07:27 BST
7 May 2011
Lightnings at Cotswold © Andrew Young
Having been soaked by heavy rain while rigging, 16 Lightnings lined up at the first start in bright sunshine with a moderate breeze and strong gusts.
For three laps there were only minor changes between the front eight boats. Simon Hopkins led Paul White and Penny Yarwood until her mainsheet came adrift, then Matt Hopkins, Ellen Clancy and Adam Styles followed. At the finish, White pipped S.Hopkins to the line, son M.Hopkins 3rd , Clancy 4th. Chris Potts worked up to 5th from the rear and Caroline Key 6th. Three retired.
In slightly less testing conditions, 13 started race 2. White led to the line. S.Hopkins, Yarwood and M.Hopkins had a close race with M.Hopkins finishing 2nd, S.Hopkins 3rd, Yarwood 4th. Clancy worked through the fleet to 5th and Styles 6th.
Yarwood led off the third race with White following to the finish. There were mostly only minor changes throughout the whole fleet. M.Hopkins made most progress to 4th by lap 4, but dropped back to 5th, with Key 3rd and S.Hopkins 4th, Clancy 6th.
Overall Results:
1st Paul White
2nd Penny Yarwood
3rd Simon Hopkins
4th Matt Hopkins
5th Ellen Clancy
6th Caroline Key