Lightning368 Open at Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre
by Danny Williams 2 Apr 2012 16:26 BST
1 April 2012
Lightnings at Hillingdon © Claire Tomlin
Eleven boats including 6 visitors attended the first Lightning event of the season. It was feeling decidedly cool at first, but things soon warmed up in the brilliant spring sunshine. The wind was light and variable which made for some tricky sailing conditions. In the first race Matt Hopkins of Up River took an early lead which he maintained throughout to win from Eric Janering of Hillingdon closely followed by David Tiney also of Hillingdon.
In the second race Caroline Key of West Oxford established a commanding lead by the first windward mark followed by Wayne Jenner of Abbey SC with David Tiney third. Caroline extended her lead during the race to win from David Tiney with Matt Hopkins third and Wayne Jenner fourth.
It was all to sail for in the final race with Matt, Caroline and David all still in contention. Matt established an early lead from Simon Hopkins of Up River followed by David with Caroline fourth. By the end of the first lap Simon had taken the lead from Matt. By the end of the second lap Matt had regained the lead from Simon with Caroline moving up to third. On the final lap Caroline managed to overtake Simon to challenge Matt for the lead. In an exiting finish Matt held on to win by inches from Caroline with Simon third and David fourth.
Overall Results:
1st Matt Hopkins (Up River SC)
2nd Caroline Key (West Oxford SC)
3rd David Tiney (Hillingdon LF)
4th Simon Hopkins (Up River SC)
5th Eric Janering (Hillingdon LF)
6th Wayne Jenner (Abbey SC)