Supernova Norfolk weekend

Event: Supernova Norfolk Weekend Date: 19th /20th June Last year at the same meeting it was all about avoiding the sun and finding the wind. This year it was the completely the opposite! This part of North Norfolk always seems to have its own micro climate defying the National forecast and this year the forecast seemed to be twinned with the Outer Hebrides.

Ouse Amateur Sailing Club’s Saddlebow venue always provides true winds and lots of boat handling. This year there was plenty of cold Northerly wind straight down the cut. This means long beats with lots of tacks and buttock clenching downwind legs. Everyone was over at least once during the day.

Race 1 started after a general recall in a comparative lull but as soon as the short beat to the 1st mark was reached the wind cranked up and it was a hairy near run. As boats went turtle or took involuntarily visits to the reed beds – it was clear this was a going to be a tough day. Not so for current Travellers champ, Richard Pakes, sporting his brand new MK2 who revelled in the conditions and took the 1st of his 3 races. Special mention to Keith Rix of Chipstead who while others were tucking into lunch was still battling out of the reeds to eventually finish. Now that was persistence!

For Race 2 when the number of people required to rig a boat is in multiples of the number required to sail it, that is normally a sign that the breeze is well and truly up. Class Chairman Paul Earnshaw ventured out and had the inevitable swim, but still managed 2nd in a thankfully shorter race.

Only six boats stayed out for race 3 which was once again dominated by Richard Pakes, With Paul Earnshaw second and the ever consistent Jeff Tucker in 3rd. And the last race saw the 1-2-3 for the meeting as a whole.

Hard work but satisfying sailing at one of the most welcoming of clubs. Prizes for all thanks once again to sponsorship from Elgoods Brewery and a great night out in the historic Kings Lynn OASC clubhouse.

The wind had abated somewhat overnight and many sore heads dragged themselves off to Hunstanton for day 2 of this meeting. But it was not to be. Big northerly winds for the last few days had meant big surf on the beach, a steady F5 and the Nationals only two weeks away meant that there wasn’t much argument when the meeting was cancelled.

Now the class moves on to the Nationals at Llandudno over the weekend of 2nd-4th July with already 40 boats entered, it is going to be a cracker.

Overall Results: