Supernova Nationals at Brixham Yacht Club

Supernova nationals to Brixham © www.boatographic.co.uk

Supernova nationals to Brixham © www.boatographic.co.uk

For the first time, 2013 saw the Supernova fleet travel to Brixham Yacht Club in South Devon for their National Championships from 28th – 30th June. The Class Association had set itself an adventurous target of attracting 50 entries to this year's event and was rewarded with 55 boats on the start line - an incredible 70% increase on last year's entry. It was so encouraging to see so many new faces out on the water clearly enjoying themselves.

There were 10 races scheduled over 3 days and included the following categories; Gold and Silver Fleet, Juniors, (under 21), Masters (over 50's) and Veterans (over 60's). The event was generously sponsored by Hartley Boats, Neil Pryde and Parkers of Bolton. Every competitor went away with a Neil Pyde event tee-shirt and Tom Chadfield of Blithfield SC went away with a fabulous Go-Pro donated by Parkers of Bolton.

The event was blessed with 3 days of glorious weather and in the main light offshore breezes within the sheltered waters of Torbay which helped to keep the sea state down. The courses set throughout the Championship were a mix of the class favourite, an inverted P and the traditional triangle/sausage.

As always within the Supernova fleet, racing was tight and competitive, with places constantly changing throughout the fleet. It was great for the class to have two juniors sailing at this year's event. 17 year old Alex Collins from Bolton SC was clearly not overawed by taking part in his first Supernova Nationals and sailed incredibly well and consistently to finish in 9th place overall. 14 year old Lewis Brailsford from Sutton in Ashfield SC sailing with the small Supernova Sail for most of the event also did really well in his first Championship event finishing in 51st place

Day 1

Race 1 - There were 3 races scheduled for day 1 however after (unusually for the Supernova fleet) 3 general recalls the first race finally got underway under a black flag. Unfortunately for Mark Hartley and John Ellingham they ended the race with no finish gun for being OCS at the start. This was not a good start for Mark in his defence of the Championship. Gavin Young took full advantage and showed excellent boat speed throughout the championship to take the first race honours followed closely by Cliff Milliner, Andy Flitcroft and Alex Collins.

Race 2 - Everyone behaved better at the start in the second race and with strengthening winds it was time for some of the bigger boys to show there form. Mark H got his defence back on track by taking the honours with Gavin Young and Mike Gibson following in 2nd and 3rd. Iain Wilson and Paul Undrell both had their best results of the week finishing 6th and 8th respectively.

Race 3 - The tight racing continued into the 3rd race with many different names appearing in the top 10. Previous Champion Andy Flitcroft looked like he was going to put his name down as a contender for the title with a second 3rd place and another previous champion Norman Halstead had his best result so far finishing 7th. However it was Mark H who took the honours again revelling in the choppy conditions followed by Mike Gibson.

Day 2

Race 4 - Once again everyone was keen to get a good start and after several general recalls the black flag was flying once again. The gentle tide caught a number of competitors out and 14 in total were disqualified for crossing the line under the black flag.

Once the race did get away the light wind died completely and only one lap was completed. To the delights of the disqualified competitors the race threw up some surprising results. Roger Prince finishing 3rd and Steve Swain 7th. Cliff Milliner scored his first bullet with Duncan Adams in 2nd.

Race 5 - The wind had gone round 180 degrees between race 4 and 5 with a nice sea breeze kicking in for the 5th race. Richard Pakes at last started to show some form and finished in 2ndrd place followed closely by Haversham team mate Paul Earnshaw in 5th. Gavin Y took the honours for a second time.

Race 6 - It was Milliner and Young who took the honours again with Pakes and Gibson following. John Ellingham had another good result finishing 6th behind Earnshaw and Gibson who were battling each other for the Masters trophy. In the Veterans class a good battle was developing between Steve Johnston and Richard Hartley.

Race 7 - The start of race 7 had to be postponed as the wind once again dropped to nothing, however after looking inshore towards Paignton it was obvious from the Fireball Open being held there that the wind was once again filling in from the land. The decision to wait proved a good one as the wind increased to the strongest of the day.

Duncan Adams enjoyed the windier conditions and took the honours followed by Mark Hartley. Tony Critchley finally got his new boat moving finishing in 3rd place.

The racing was followed in the evening with a fantastic dinner in the BYC clubhouse where over 80 people attended a great evening of fun, food and frolics.

Day 3

Day 3 greeted us with light winds once again and the championship still wide open with Milliner, Young, Gibson, M Hartley, and Pakes all with a chance of taking the honours.

Race 8 - Critchley continued his form from Race 7 finishing 2nd with Gibson finally taking the honours and with Milliner 3rd and Earnshaw 4th. Unfortunately for Young 8th,Pakes 7th and Hartleys 6th putting each of them out of the running for the Championship.

Race 9 and Race 10 - Young having effectively conceded the Championship relaxed to take 2 bullets and finishing 2nd overall and securing the team trophy for Cotswold ahead of Bolton SC. However, needing to finish in the top 5 of either race, it was Milliner who secured the championship in the 9th race with a third place.

In the end it was congratulations to category winners as follows:

• Cliff Milliner from Cotswold SC on becoming National Champion for the 2nd time
• Duncan Adams of Attenborough SC the Silver Fleet trophy (6th)
• Alex Collins from Bolton SC the Junior trophy (9th)
• Lesley Jeanes from Cotswold SC the Ladies trophy (33rd)
• Mike Gibson from Bartley SC the Masters trophy (3rd)
• Richard Hartley from Staunton Harold the Veterans trophy (14th)
• Cotswold SC the Team trophy

The Class Association would like to thank Brixham Yacht Club who did a magnificent job for the Class throughout the event, both on and off the water, with over 80 sailors, family and friends sitting down together for a splendid meal together on the Saturday evening.

The bar has clearly been raised for the Supernova Class, both in terms of numbers competing and the standard of sailing, 60 plus boats for next year's Championship would not seem an unreasonable target!

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten of the Supernova nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here