Moble Marine Lightning 368 open meeting at Hunts Sailing Club
by Ian Ranson 22 Sep 2022 17:00 BST
10 September 2022
Moble Marine Lightning 368 open meeting at Hunts © HSC
Five visitors and one home boat took part in the Lightning open at Hunts sailing club on Saturday 2022. The wind was light F2 gusting 3 generally Northerly but shifting North-Westerly making it important to pick up the shifts.
In the first race Bryan Wesley (Chase S.C.) was first at the windward mark followed by Tony Jacks (Bartley S.C.) and Caroline Hollier (West Oxford S.C.) Caroline and Tony both passed Bryan and had a close contest until on the beat when Tony went up the port side and lost out to Caroline who took the starboard side of the beat and gained a clear lead. Bryan and Garry Tompkins (Hunts S.C.) had a close race with Ian Ranson (Bolton S.C.) Ian managed to pass them both to finish third.
After lunch at the beginning of the second race there was a short shower of rain and the wind dropped. The course was changed to include an extra beat. Tony took an early lead chased by Gary. Caroline passed Gary but despite her best endeavours was unable to catch Tony who held his clear lead to the finish. Gary was challenged by both Bryan and Ian but sailed clear of them to take third place.
The third race began in the light winds that were characteristic of the second race. At the start Bryan, Stephen Hodgkinson (Denholme S.C.) and Tony sailed in line abreast down the start line but became tangled up with each other when the start was sounded. Penalty turns were done but Tony later retired. Meanwhile Caroline started at the starboard committee boat end of the line and fetched the windward mark giving her a lead which she held to the end.
Gary also stared at the starboard end and was second at the windward mark being chased by Ian. Gary held his lead over Ian and Bryan who was also catching up until the second lap when the wind picked up and Ian began to gain on him and passed him on the third lap. Bryan also caught up in the stronger winds but at the finish after Caroline, it was Ian, Gary and Bryan.
All the competitors enjoyed the day and thank Hunts S. C. for their hospitality and a very good day's sailing.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Caroline Hollier | West Oxford S.C. | 1 | ‑2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2nd | Tony Jacks | Bartley S.C. | 2 | 1 | (Ret) | 3 |
| 3rd | Ian Ranson | Bolton S.C. | 3 | ‑4 | 2 | 5 |
| 4th | Gary Tompkins | Hunts S.C. | ‑5 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 5th | Bryan Westley | Chase S.C. | 4 | ‑5 | 4 | 8 |
| 6th | Stephen Hodgkinson | Denholme S.C. | ‑6 | 6 | 5 | 11 |