Commodore Rum and Mince Pies
Published 22:29 on 10 Nov 2025
Shotwick Lake Sailing Commodore Jeremy Cooper is a frequent visitor to the podium at Shotwick. He is also frequently on his travels with his trusty boat trailer come overnight accommodation! His most recent outing was to Oxford for the last in the Lightening Traveller Series, in an aptly named Rum and Mince Pies event at West Oxford Sailing Club. This report, by Simon Hopkins, tells the story of the event, featuring Jeremy… enjoy.
Oh and yes Jeremy won the Rum and Mince Pies event, and came third in the overall series - which is possibly why he didnt make it back on time for the racing last Sunday!
There were 12 Lightings for the end of season Rum and Mince Pies Open at West Oxfordshire SC. They were greeted to a sunny day but little wind which was coming across the lake so it was going to be a challenging day of light winds and big wind shifts.
Race 1 stated with a biased line, the majority starting on Starboard and it was Ian Ransom who went hard left rounded the windward mark first, closely followed by Jeremy Cooper. Ian led until a coming together with Jeremy letting Caroline through to take lead. As the race continued, Jeremy recovered from doing his turns to take the lead and John Claridge sneaked passed Caroline taking advantage of a shift. Simon recovered from a failed Port end start to fourth.
After a fantastic lunch provided by the Galley the sailors took to the water for two back to back races in slightly more breeze.
Jeremy won the start on the committee boat but Andrew McLiesh starting lower down the line came in from the left to round first ahead of Jeremy and Simon and John. As the lap progressed Jeremy took the lead and John passed Simon and then Andrew to try to chase down Jeremy. It was not to be and they finished in this order. In a late charge Jason Gallagher passed Simon and nearly took Andrew on the line.
In the final race Simon sailed Jeremy out of the committee boat end to get the perfect start, but as previous races this did not guarantee the lead it was Jason who led at the first mark, closely followed by Caroline. Caroline passed Jason when he went too low down the reach, and then to make his pain worse Simon also passed Jason on the same leg. Caroline and Simon extended the gap to the rest of the fleet and were never headed, Caroline winning by several legs. Jason was leading the chasing pack, but with many wind shifts and wind holes it was Jeremy who came home third ahead of John.
The final results saw Jeremey Cooper win the Rum and Mince pies with 2 wins. John Claridge and Caroline Hollier tied on four points but her win in the last race secured her second place overall.
The Rum and Mince Pies at West Oxfordshire SC is the traditional season closing event and Prize giving. The 2025 Travelers series went to Simon Hopkins, ahead of Andrew Yuille and Jeremy Cooper.
Jason Gallageher won the Silver fleet ahead of Andrew McLeish and Allison Hopkins.
The trophy for first Mark 1 Giles boat also went to Andrew McLeish ahead of Clayton Parker and Georgie Parker, who was also first junior.
The photo shows Jeremy earlier this year in lively Shotwick conditions!
Last updated 22:29 on 10 November 2025
