Please select your home edition
Edition
Switch One Design

Surprise 80th Birthday Party for the Jardine twins in Lymington

by Mark Jardine & RLymYC 23 Aug 2013 22:24 BST 21 August 2013
Ado & Stuart Jardine at their surprise 80th Birthday Party © Doug Rogerson

Lymington sailing twins Stuart and Ado Jardine received a shock when they stepped ashore after Wednesday afternoon XOD racing in Lymington this week when they found a surprise 80th birthday party had been organised for them at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.

The legendary pair, who have both sailed at Olympic level with Ado winning bronze in the Mexico 1968 games, are still winning races as they enter their ninth decade.

Fellow sailors presented the pair each with a bucket and line to use as a sea-anchor to slow them down! Two huge cakes were then cut and served to all and the twins thanked everyone for organising the party which genuinely came as a complete surprise to the pair.

In the last 15 years, Stuart and Ado have increasingly focussed on repaying what they see as their debt to the sport and to the Club, be it as Race Officers, week in week out for our Monday night dinghy racing series, running Open events, organising and captaining Club team entries for team and other racing events, and organising an array of children's sailing events, whether in Optimists, Lymington River Scows or model yachts. They know what it takes to make the best sailors and don't flinch from encouraging their charges.

Having now sailed at Lymington for nearing 70 years, Ado said the both plan to continue "As long as they're still in one piece". One XOD sailor said, "When Stuart is not at the front of the XOD fleet, Ado is."

Chris Neve, RLymYC Rear Commodore Sailing said, "The Royal Lymington Yacht Club is honoured to have the Jardine brothers as Members. Both Stuart and Ado have been at the top of this wonderful sport for 60 years through their illustrious Olympic and international racing careers. They are both also still giving so much to the Club day in and day out, whether it be the XOD Class, the juniors or in fact any Member who asks for help in improving his or her sailing. We are very grateful to Stuart and Ado for all that they do for us and also to Mary-Ann and Wendy, who have helped them every inch of the way. Long may they continue to be an inspiration to us all!"

Related Articles

Folkboat Racing in the Solent
Looking at the 2025 calendar and build-up to 60th Folkboat Week Since its introduction to British waters, the Nordic Folkboat has become a staple of Solent sailing. With the Folkboat Association nurturing this tradition, the fleet continues to grow, offering a packed calendar of racing. Posted on 23 May
X 195 'Turtle' Launch
The first new X One Design in 18 years! I attended a rare event in the X One Design class: the launch of a new boat. It has been 18 years since the last new X was launched, and X195 has been a project that long in the making. Posted on 17 May
RS21 UK & Ireland Cup round 2 at Lymington
Tactical racing, sparkling sailing conditions, and vibrant shoreside camaraderie Round two of the RS21 UK & Ireland Cup delivered a thrilling weekend of tactical racing, sparkling sailing conditions, and vibrant shoreside camaraderie. With a strong fleet in attendance, the event showcased the best of one-design keelboat racing. Posted on 16 May
The Allure of Timber
The longevity, and sheer beauty, of boats made of wood In these days of exotic materials, high modulus carbon and ultra lightweight construction, it's possible to overlook the longevity, and sheer beauty, of boats made of wood. Posted on 29 Apr
Setley Cup 2024
Another great success, despite the near-absent wind The Setley Cup is an annual competition for children sailing model boats (mostly home-made), held on Boxing Day at Setley Pond near Lymington. Posted on 27 Dec 2024
Craftinsure K6 Nationals at Lymington
Three days of racing in the western Solent The western Solent and Royal Lymington YC were the fine venues for this year's K6 Nationals, sponsored by Craftinsure. Nine races were held over three days in what was forecast to be light wind. Posted on 21 Sep 2024
Lymington XOD Saturday Series Week 16
Lone Star takes the win on Jardine Trophy day With several boats missing on their way to compete at Poole week, perhaps a few deciding that the weather was a bit filthy, ten X boats appeared on the start line by mark H. Posted on 24 Aug 2024
UK 29er Typhoon Nationals 2024 Runners and Riders
Less than a week to go until the hotly anticipated event in Lymington With less than a week to go until the most hotly anticipated 29er event the Typhoon 29er UK National Championships hosted by the Royal Lymington Yacht Club, several teams are lining up hoping to take the title. Posted on 19 Aug 2024
XOD Lymington Fleet Long Race East
Astralita, visiting from Itchenor, joins in the racing The combination of Cowes Week and cancelled races had led to an atypically quiet start to August for the fleet. The long race east was suitable motivation then, for the fleet to return to start line for what would be their longest race of the season. Posted on 15 Aug 2024
HYS Cape 31 Nationals at Lymington
Nine close races in the stunning waters of Christchurch Bay The Royal Lymington Yacht Club played host to the highly anticipated Hamble Yacht Services Cape 31 Nationals. The championship took place over three days, with the Cape 31 fleet racing across nine close races in the stunning waters of Christchurch Bay. Posted on 3 Jul 2024