Supernova Sea Championships

Flictcroft wins in Pwllheli

The lads from Bolton SC dominated the Supernova Sea Championships at Pwllheli on 30 & 31 July. With force 2-3 winds, square start lines, and a good beat to the windward mark of the Olympic (triangle-sausage) course, conditions were ideal.

Critchley and Wild led the fleet at the widward mark in race one, having found the left-hand side of the course to be favoured. Close behind was Flitcroft who had gone to the right. Critchley held on to the lead for the first two laps, but aimed for the wing mark on the run, allowing Flitcroft and Wild to close-up the gap. Flitcroft sneaked into the lead on the last beat, holding on to win, with Critchley and Wild close behind in 2nd and 3rd, Blackwell 4th and Bower 5th.

Flitcroft led race two from start to finish. Wild and Critchley again enjoyed a good battle for 2nd and 3rd, with Blackwell 4th, and Hawley 5th.

Demonstrating amazing consistency, nine out of the top ten boats in race two finished in the same position in race three! After a close race, Flitcroft continued his winning streak to win race three, only a few boat lengths in front of Wild and Critchley, with Blackwell 4th, and Hawley 5th.

After the racing and a couple of pints at the bar, everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and excellent cuisine at Pwllheli SC. There were reports of damp and strenuous ascents of Snowdon from the two Sues, beach huts and sand castles from Olivia and Sally, and relaxing retail therapy from other members of the support team.

Sunday dawned with a little less wind. Flitcroft and Wild rounded the windward mark together in race four. Wild just got an overlap at the wing mark, then powered off on the second reach and went on to win. Flitcroft couldn't quite close the gap again, finishing 2nd, with Hawley 3rd, Bowler 4th and Boneham 5th.

Cithley led race five, after picking the right shifts up the first beat. Flitcroft edged ahead by doing the same on the second beat, and held on to win, with Critchley 2nd, Wild 3rd, Bower 4th and Hawley 5th. Fleet lightweight Lockyer put some tips on how to depower the powerful rig into good practice, and notched up his second 6th place of the day.

After five races with four to count, Andy Flitcroft is this year's Sea Champion with four first places.

Hartley Laminates sponsored the event by kindly donating the prizes.

Overall results:
1st, 4 points, Andy Flitcroft (Bolton SC)
2nd, 8 points, Tony Wild (Bolton SC)
3rd, 10 points, Tony Critchley (Bolton SC)
4th, 18 points, Steve Hawley (Severn SC)
5th, 19 points, Graham Blackwell (Bartley Green SC)
6th , 19 points, Chris Bower (Cardiff SC)

Endeavour prize (most improved), Mike Lockyer (Bolton SC)
Furthest traveller prizes, Simon Robins (Fowey SC), Simon & Peter Jones (Wimbleball SC)