Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club

Lightning Mini Fleet

Description

The Lightning is similar to a Laser 1 but with a less powerful rig and a shorter waterline length. The cockpit is more like a cockpit than a dent in a deck.

Thanks to a 7.06m sail goes really well in light winds but the whippy mast means it’s not too much of a handful (or mouthful) on breezier days for light weight sailors.

Lightnings are built with a foam construction which makes them very durable over the longer term. Sail #44 won a race in last year’s nationals.

Fleet Activity and main contenders

The fleet varys between 4 and 5 boats per year. In 2010 Rob Beaton and Guy Mitchelmore have joined the fleet and hoped to get fleet status with 6 boats. However Steph Newcombe and Derri Bowman moved on to double handers and will miss all the fun.

230 – Hugh Spencer

Hugh’s a very competitive and enthusiastic Lightning sailor and has won the Plymouth Regatta Champion of Champion races on more than one occasion. This means he might be quite good and makes the rare experience of beating him all the more satisfying.

309 – Steve Oliver

Steve has been sailing Lightnings for many years and has owned many of the Lightnings in the fleet today. I keep hearing “Steve used to own that boat”. I just hope he’s finally found one in the right colour. Whether it’s this seasons colour or not Steve will be sailing his boat fast and is as sharp as any round the corners.

144 – Guy Mitchelmore

Guy has done the Winter series which means he’s seriously committed. In the first outing this summer he has been up with the long term contenders.

151 – Rob Beaton

Rob is new to the Lightning fleet this year. He’s more windsurfer than sailor and often seems confused by the purpose of the mainsheet. He has shown some maverick tactics, half of which actually work. However he can’t really tell which half so is unlikey to repeat anything successful.