Supernovas in the Cotswolds

Sam hood reports from last weekend's action

19 Supernovas attended the Cotswold Sailing Club Open Meeting on 10 May under grey skies with a gusty sou'westerly.

In the first race Mark Giles quickly established a lead and won all four laps of a well-set course to triumph by a significant margin. Dominic Fastnedge held onto second but succumbed to Flitcroft and Gibson in the dying moments. Brown lapped consistently at 4th or 5th only to have Boneham snatch 5th, pushing him into 6th.

After an excellent 3-course lunch, sailors took to the water in a strengthening wind and passing shower. A new course added further interest. Gibson was first to the windward mark, coming in on port with great cheek and getting away with it. A battle in the shifts and gusts ensued for the first 6 places between Gibson, Flitcroft, Boneham, Giles, Everett and Halstead who eventually crossed the finishing line in that order.

The final race, run back-to-back in shifting winds speeding from 2 to 17 knots saw fierce contests throughout the fleet. The rescue boat was busy at the rear, Hawley, Duncan, Watton, Hood and Casewell battled in the middle and Everett, Fastnedge, Flitcroft (who clawed his way from 10th), Giles, Gibson and Halstead were in contention at the front. Giles and Halstead effectively exploited a shift and resulting funnel between two islands. Ist Halstead, 2nd Gibson, 3rd Giles, 4th Flitcroft, 5th Everett, 6th Fastnedge.

Overall results

1st Mike Gibson (Bartley SC)
2nd Mark Giles (West Oxfordshire SC)
3rd Andy Flitcroft (Bolton SC)
4th Norman Halstead (South Cerney SC)
5th Neil Boneham (Bartley SC)
6th Dominic Fastnedge (Cotswold SC)