Supernova Travellers' Series at Bowmoor Sailing Club

Supernovas at Bowmoor © Charles Milne

On Saturday 15th March, Bowmoor Sailing Club in Gloucestershire hosted the opening traveller series event for 2014. With a fast growing and enthusiastic fleet, this was the first time that the Class Association had visited Bowmoor. The event was held together with the travelling Phantom fleet, who were also taking part in their first event of the year. Both fleets were greeted with superb warm Spring weather and a perfect 12-14knt wind with gusts of 20+knts to make the reaches exciting.

Rick Plummer, OOD, set an excellent course taking full advantage of the westerly wind direction to set a long first beat. The Phantom's set off first with the Supernova Fleet dispatched a few minutes later. Two races were held back-to-back prior to lunch and a third race took place after lunch. The Supernova Fleet comprised 21 entries, an excellent turn-out for the first event of the year and in the good conditions, there was strong competition at all levels.

The first race saw a clean start with the front of the fleet jostling for position at the port end. Sailors beating up the middle of the course were able to take advantage of the oscillating shifts to get a good position at the windward mark. The course allowed for some excellent reaching in great winds, allowing sailors to make the best of the Supernova's talents. Cliff Milliner (2013 National Champion) from Cotswold sailing Club took first place in the first race with his Club rival, Gavin Young, taking second and Class Association Chairman, Paul Earnshaw from Haversham, in 3rd. Steve Hawley was the notable casualty from the first race following a breakage on his rudder fixing which regrettably kept him off the water for the rest of the day.

The second race also had a clean start in a strengthening breeze. The first 3 positions went the same as the first race to seal the overall results, but the racing just behind them was extremely competitive with Paul Undrell of Haversham and Chris Hawley fighting it out for 4th and 5th place and at the lunch break, the event was neatly poised with several sailors chasing the second order places.

After an excellent 'Pat and Stan' lunch, the wind picked up a little more with the gusts and shifts a little more 'lively' providing some exciting sailing with both thrills and the commensurate Supernova 'spills' for the final race. Although the first and second places were decided, Cliff and Gavin did not let-up and they had an excellent duel providing great entertainment for those spectating; Cliff finished with his nose just in front once again for a clean sweep on the day. Paul Undrell took an excellent 3rd place to give him 4th overall with Chris Hawley finishing 6th to place him 5th overall. The Bowmoor 'home team' dominated the middle of the fleet taking 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th place.

All-in-all, a great start to the season in good conditions. Bowmoor thoroughly enjoyed hosting the event and would be delighted to offer the venue again in 2015. Our thanks go to Rick Plummer as OOD and all of the volunteer team that assisted, and to Pat & Stan for a superb lunch. Good luck to everyone for the remainder of the series.

Overall Results:

1st Cliff Milliner (Cotswold)
2nd Gavin Young (Cotswold)
3rd Paul Earnshaw (Haversham)
4th Paul Undrell (Haversham)
5th Chris Hawley (Bartley)
6th Gary Butterfield (Bartley)
7th Robin Kirby
8th Steve Johnson (Cotswold)
9th David Everett (West Oxford)
10th John Banbrook (Bowmoor)
11th Brian Smith (Bowmoor)
12th Mike Walker (Bowmoor)
13th Pete Bingham (Bowmoor)
14th Ian Casewell (Reading)
15th John Walpole (Exe)
16th Tom Baldwin (Carsington)
17th Chris Watts (Bough Beach)
18th Mervyn Jones (Cotswold)
19th Dave McGarrell (Bowmoor)
20th Keith Rix (Cotswold)
21st Steve Hawley (Bartley)