The late Tommy Sopwith’s historic 1963 Bertram 31, Thunderstreak, has won the 2022 UKOPRA National Championship for the Historic Class. As runners-up last year, a new crew line-up saw Adrian de Ferranti (throttles) and Richard Jessel (navigator) join owner/driver Hugo Peel, racing as ‘Team Royal Yacht Squadron’.

Hugo commented: ‘We aimed to repeat last year’s Class 4 wins. Reliability proved the key, as Thunderstreak has achieved first place in every race she has entered over the past three years. At 60, she’s the oldest current raceboat.

This year’s Cowes–Poole–Cowes saw a boat-breaking, neck-and-neck race with the 90mph Mr Noisy – boasting some 40% more horsepower in its Velocity 28ft hull and being several decades younger. 

‘Thunderstreak’s set-up proved perfect for the rough conditions around Poole Bay and the Solent, and she romped home by over five minutes,’ said Hugo. ‘Roll on 2023.’