Lightning 368 Class Association Review of the Year
by Caroline Hollier, Class Secretary 6 Dec 2025 15:26 UTC
2025 Noble Marine Travellers' Trophy Lightning 368 Southern Championship at Up River Yacht Club © Terry Bagely
Our first event of the year started a little later than usual. The Southerns at Up River Y.C. were held over the weekend of 26/27 April. Those who arrived on the Friday evening attended Penny's 29th anniversary of her 21st surprise birthday party, with Jason having arrived with an empty road trailer as he was about to take delivery of his new boat.
Day one was a training day, a time to dust off the cobwebs on our boats, some boat bimbling and 4 hours intensive training on the water, courtesy of Simon and Penny. There was also wind. Day two for the open was a totally different story. It was flat calm, but after a brief postponement, the race office decided that there would be enough wind to sail and 15 of the 18 boats entered took to the water. Because of the light winds and strong tide, only two of the three races were held, Simon beating Penny on countback and Ian Gore third.
Our next event took us for the first time this year to Chase on Saturday 17 May, day one of a double header with Bartley on the Sunday. The weather was great, 16 boats took to the water. Simon came first, Tony second and Jeremy third. It was then Eurovision night and a party took place. Clayton got especially dressed up for the occasion with his bargain outfit.
After camping at Chase overnight, Sunday morning saw a cavalcade of Lightnings head down the M6 and M5 to Bartley. The sun was shining again and 14 Lightnings took part. Robbie had joined us for day 2 and had a clean sweep of 3 1sts, with Jeremy 2nd and Tony Jacks 3rd.
Our Inlands this year were hosted by our first of two new venues this year at Burghfield S.C on 7 June. A few members arrived on the Friday for some familiarisation of the club and impromptu coaching from Simon. As it was a windy day, most of us who had them, opted to put up our small rigs. The aim was to sail up and down wind, as close to the wind as possible, so that multiple tacks and gybes were required. Jason decided to do his own thing and bomb off round the lake, taking advantage of the small rig in his new boat. Day two, the wind was still strong, with the predicted storms never showing up, with only 11 of the 13 boats entered taking to the water. After 4 races, Penny came first overall, beating Simon on countback and John Claridge coming in 3rd.
11 Lightning sailors were made very welcome at our second new event, Upper Thames Sailing Club on 28 June, with camping facilities in a field the other side of the railway track. Here there were very interesting shifty and gusty moderate conditions on a beat/run set of courses up and down the river, with plenty of tacking practice. Home boat Andrew Yuille came in first, with John Claridge second and Andrew McLeish 3rd.
The Lord Birkett Memorial race was added to the calendar this year over the weekend of 5 and 6 July. We managed a fleet of 7 boats, qualifying for our own fleet prize. Day one was windy, about 18 knots. With 5 general recalls, it took an hour to get the start under way. Simon was first boat home on day 1 relishing the strong wind conditions. Day two, the wind was much lighter. We ended up doing a reaching start, with the first mark at Pooley bridge. Whilst others, held back, or went round the crowded 1st mark, Caroline decided to try her luck and go for the inside, asking for water on 40/50 boats. It worked out well, and managed to gain a substantial lead over the other lightings. Simon did manage to catch and overtake Caroline before rounding the Island, the other end, but on the quieter downwind leg to home, Caroline retook the lead. Simon had done enough though to be first Lightning overall.
The Northern Championships were held, again at West Kirby Sailing Club on 19/20 July. Some very close racing was held over the two days, with a different winner in each race. One race the race officer abandoned, when he had put up the course wrong, even though most of the fleet sailed it correctly, but 5 races were held in total. Penny took home the Northern Championship shield with Jeremy second and Simon third.
Oxford Sailing Club hosted our next event on Saturday 18 August. 14 boats entered. A day of great sailing, with a different winner in each race, not necessarily who was in the lead at the beginning, with many place changes throughout the fleet. Andrew Yuille taking his second event win of the travellers, with John Claridge second and Simon third.
The travellers series continued with its second visit to the River Thames, down river at Cookham Reach on 30 August. For a change there was some wind this year and 12 boats took to the river, although it was very gusty and shifty at times. It was a battle between Simon and Andrew Yuille all day, with a strong performance from Andrew McLeish. Simon won the event, with Andrew Yuille second and Andrew McLeish third.
Our second visit to Chase, the host of our National Championships over the weekend of 20/21 September. With 22 boats entered, the most this season, with the weather forecast looking good, it was going to be a great weekend. Day one, with lighter winds, Robbie lead the way with 3 wins, but Penny and Caroline were tied on points. Day two, the winds strengthened. Robbie still lead the way with 6 bullets, becoming National Champion for 2025, Penny 2nd, first lady and first masters, Andrew Yuille third, first veteran, 1st in the Silver fleet was Allison Hopkins in 8th place overall and 1st Junior, 19th overall, Georgie Parker. John Claridge was awarded the Spirit of the Class award, for all that he has done for the class over the last 12 months.
Unfortunately the open at Shotwick on 4 October had to be cancelled, due to Storm Amy.
Our final event of the season was the Rum and Mince Pie at West Oxfordshire Sailing Club on Saturday 8 November, which saw an unusual low turnout of 12 boats take to the water. They were greeted to a sunny day and light winds which proved challenging throughout the day. With some close racing it was Jeremy Cooper who won the event with 2 wins, John Claridge and Caroline Hollier were tied on points, but her win in the last race, promoted her to 2nd overall and John 3rd.
Being the season finale, the final results were in for the travellers series and awarded accordingly. The winner of the first Giles boat was Andrew McLeish, 2nd Clayton Parker and 3rd Georgie Parker. The winner of the Silver Fleet was awarded to Jason Gallagher, 2nd Andrew McLeish and 3rd Allison Hopkins. Overall, 1st Simon Hopkins, 2nd Andrew Yuille and 3rd Jeremy Cooper.
Another successful year for our fleet. We look forward to see you all again next year. Our first event scheduled for 2026 is on Saturday 18 April at Burghfield Sailing Club.