Supernova action

Open meeting reports from Bolton SC and Cotswold SC

Cotswold Sailing Club, 7th May

Testing conditions in bright sunshine challenged the 25 Supernova sailors at the Open Meeting at Cotswold Sailing Club on 7 May. Blustery force 3 norwestly winds gusting 5-6 and shifting up to 60 degrees took their toll, with just 11 boats finishing the final race.

Flitcroft and Boneham led the first race, with Flitcroft winning by several minutes. Behind them Steve Hawley, Giles, Hollier and Chris Hawley jockeyed before crossing the line in that order. An excellent 3-course lunch restored energy.

The second and third races were run back-to back in strengthening wind over a course designed to challenge and exhilarate. Flitcroft was again 1st, just in front of S. Hawley who’d pressured him throughout. Climbing from 9th at the first lap Boneham stole 3rd from Mountain. C. Hawley and Giles took 5th and 6th, the latter having clawed his way remarkably from 14th. Only 15 sailors could muster the energy for the third (shortened) race; just 11 finished. Hollier led throughout, pursued by Mountain who was pipped into third place by Flitcroft. S. Hawley, Boneham, and C. Hawley followed and then Giles, Robinson and Tucker within six seconds of each other.

Torn sails, multiple capsizes and aching limbs evidenced an exciting day’s sailing.

Overall result and prizes (last year’s position in brackets):-
1st Andy Flitcroft (Bolton Sailing Club) (1st)
2nd Steve Hawley (Severn Sailing Club) (5th)
3rd Neil Boneham (Bartley Sailing Club) (3rd)
4th Adrian Hollier (West Oxfordshire Sailing Club) (-)
5th Jeff Mountain (Cotswold Sailing Club) (-)
6th Mark Giles (West Oxfordshire Sailing Club) (7th)


Bolton SC Open 30th April

24 Supernovas travelled from as far afield as Oxford and Cardiff to compete in the Supernova Open at Bolton SC.

Throughout the day, the light shifty conditions (somewhat different to the long range forecast) made it difficult for the OOD to set a square line, but by using the full length of the water, the long beats, short reaches and long runs helped to separate the fleet. The first half lap of race 1 saw some changing of position at the front of the fleet, with T.Wild, C.Hawley, A.Flitcroft and I.Moodie all fighting for the lead. But the light conditions were just what T.Wild had been praying for. Once in front of the pack, he was able to pull away and win by a comfortable margin. Second was C.Hawley, A.Flitcroft 3rd, T.Critchley 4th, and Boneham 5th.

The wind again shifted before race 2 got underway, resulting in a bunched fleet at the pin end of the line. Those that tacked off for clear air were treated to a minute of so of breeze which created an overtaking lane to windward of the lead boats, lifting them up to the first mark ahead of the rest of the fleet. T.Wild and T.Critchley were among those who were in the right place at the right time, and consolidated a good lead which they held onto for the rest of the race. Third was taken by A.Flitcroft after passing M.Critchley and N.Boneham just before the last mark. Boneham held on to finish 4th, and M.Critchley 5th,... a great result considering he's just joined the fleet, and was sailing the boat for the first time !

The last race followed a similar pattern, with T.Wild again leading the fleet from start to finish. Second was N.Boneham, followed by I.Moodie who did a good job of covering A.Flitcroft in 4th. Dave Everett was next, finishing 5th.

The final results demonstrated the close competition, with 15 out of the 24 boats involved in ties. Overall winner was T.Wild (Bolton SC), N.Boneham (Bartley SC) 2nd, T.Critchley 3rd (Bolton SC), A.Flitcroft 4th (Bolton SC), C.Hawley (Severn SC) 5th, and I.Moodie (Bolton SC) 6th.

First lady was H.Brittan (Bolton SC) in 15th overall, and C.Bower (Cardiff SC) won the "Furthest Towing Distance" award. I hope all those Pringles kept the hunger away on your return journey Chris !

Thanks to everyone who supported the event, and don't miss it next year, because the forecast looks perfect