Sanders Sails Lightning 368 Travellers Series at Upper Thames Sailing Club

Two new Lightnings launched - Sanders Sails Lightning 368 Travellers Series at Upper Thames © Adrain Hollier

Nine visitors joined three local boats as the Lightning Fleet decamped south for a double header on the Thames for the next leg of the Lightning 368 Sanders Sails Travellers Series.

Day one was hosted by Upper Thames SC, and they put on a great breakfast of bacon butties for the campers who had arrived Friday night and the early starters. The day then got more exciting with a couple of newly built boats arriving with John Claridge. Andrew McLeish taking delivery of 451 and Allison Hopkins getting an early birthday present with the bright Ginger 452. This may have delayed some entries onto the water as the 5 min gun went with a number of boats still to launch.

Spencer Hopkins - Sanders Sails Lightning 368 Travellers Series at Upper Thames - photo © Adrain Hollier

The wind was light and changeable and on the gun was dropping and shifting which ironically found those who had launched late with an advantage on the first beat. Particularly as Simon & Caroline got a little too close and the former found the resulting 720 ruined his start. Whilst local favourite Andrew Yuille returned to restart, mistakenly thinking he was over the line.

Alison Hopkins (new ginger boat seeking a name) stormed ahead chased by the rest of the fleet, who struggled to find any rhythm as the wind continued to shift, fill and die unpredictably.

John Claridge - Sanders Sails Lightning 368 Travellers Series at Upper Thames - photo © Adrain Hollier

Of the chasing pack Caroline emerged as the leading chaser and as Alison inexplicitly decided the windward mark on lap 2 was the short coarse mark, took the lead and sailed away into the distance never to be caught as the expected rising breeze never materialised. Martin Evans also took advantage and was clear away in second and was never caught before the line.

Meanwhile those in midfleet continued to trade places as they found holes when they didn't want them and occasionally lifts when they did. Of those battling out for the minor places Simon was on a charge after his penalty and battled through the fleet to claim third place.

Following an excellent lunch, and I mean excellent sitting on the balcony with beautiful views of the River Thames, glistening in the afternoon sun. Sorry back to the sailing where conditions had picked up a little and Race 2 started in a healthy wind which saw Jason Gallagher get away, and this time it was Simon who mistakenly went back for the premature start. Predictably Caroline was hot on his heals and was soon through and proceeded to show the fleet a clean pair of heals.

Meanwhile Jason and Andrew Y. were locked in a personal battle all the way round the course, which went the way of Jason who was finally getting used to river sailing.

Sanders Sails Lightning 368 Travellers Series at Upper Thames - photo © UTSC

Others continued to find the conditions difficult and Andy McLieish in his new MK3 probably though the Thames and an unpredictable day not the best place for a first sail in the more open cockpit - never a good look when you sit where you think the deck should be! However, the promise was showing as he came home fourth.

The last race of the day and once again it was Jason who mastered the conditions and led up the first beat ahead of Simon and Andrew Y. However, he inexplicably capsized by the windward mark allowing Simon to round first. The surprisingly the shackle on Simon's control line gave way and he was forced to retire with gear failure. This left Andrew Y to come to the fore and take the lead followed by Jason, who had made a masterful recover from his capsize to retain second place and the pair started to distance themselves from the rest of the fleet with clearer air.

Andrew continued to lead but didn't break completely away until the final lap when Jason almost repeated his earlier capsize a couple of times as the gusts became stronger and the shifts more dramatic.

Caroline Hollier, overall winner - Sanders Sails Lightning 368 Travellers Series at Upper Thames - photo © Adrain Hollier

Rounding the windward mark for the last time Andrew got a great gust and lifted up on to the plane and was away. Meanwhile Jason was being hunted down by Caroline as the wind dropped at the start of the final run down the river thought he might be toast to the light wind demon, but fortunately old father Thames was kind and the wind filled in and he held on for 2nd with Caroline in 3rd.

The fleet camped overnight at the club, and Upper Thames kindly kept the bar open and provided a cook what you bring BBQ that required a quick trip to the Co-op, before we settled down by the river and had a little celebration of Caroline's win by touring the red wine varieties of Europe.

Andrew Yuille, second overall - Sanders Sails Lightning 368 Travellers Series at Upper Thames - photo © Adrain Hollier

Overall Results:

Jason Gallagher, third overall - Sanders Sails Lightning 368 Travellers Series at Upper Thames - photo © Adrain Hollier