Supernova Open at Combs Sailing Club

Supernovas at Combs © John Saunders

Supernovas at Combs © John Saunders

Supernovas at Combs © John Saunders

Our sport of sailing is always controlled by the weather. So it was when 18 Supernovas gathered at Combs Sailing Club on Saturday June 6th. Visitors where greeted by the lightest of fickle winds. When dealing with such conditions a philosophical out look is essential and no complaints where aired. Perhaps the beautiful scenery soothed the potentially troubled souls?

Race officer Rick Whitehouse decided on a committee boat start to make the most of the long changeable beat. There was little wind pattern on the water most of the ripples made by the lead boat and flotilla of ducks as the fleet spread over the lake in the search for wind. After mark number 9 the next leg was a broadish sort of reach and slight zephyrs opened gaps or closed them as it felt appropriate with little specific advantage to anyone. Little wind was found however and the race was shortened to two laps.

The only amusement was caused by Louis Saunders falling off his borrowed boat which duly capsized. Over the line first was Tim Hand followed by Tony Critchley with Alex Collins in third. Louis Saunders was the first Combs boat in fourth.

Now a break for lunch, the high spot of the day! Lunch included an excellent bread pudding which, given the, by now, non existent wind and the waist size of the average Supernova helm was not a very tactful menu choice. One has to admire the solid dedication of sailors who ate heartily rather than nibble a lettuce leaf and jog round the dinghy park.

At last the odd disconnected puff appeared from random compass points and Rick Whitehouse dispatched the boats for racing. As far as can be judged the wind had moved through 180 deg and a new committee boat start was set diametrically opposed to the first.

Progress over the line was sub-pedestrian with the lead boat performing lazy circles as it waited for the leading boats to arrive at the next mark. The creeping pace continued until the officer called it a day at just 2 races. No one complained, no one wished to get out there and continue the joust. Alex Collins was victorious this time then Tony Critchley who pipped Louis Saunders on the line. Tim Hand was fourth.

Overall Results:

1st Alex Collins (Bolton SC) 4pts
2nd Tony Critchley (Bolton SC) 4pts
3rd Tim Hand (Sutton in Ashfield SC) 5pts
4th Louis Saunders (Combs SC) 7pts
5th Paul Underell (Haversham SC) 12pts
6th Robin Kirby (Cotswold SC) 12pts

As luck would have it ripples appeared after the abandonment. No one trusted this however so boats where packed away and helms consoled them selves with further tea. As if to make fools of us all a minimal breeze sprung up from completely different direction, its reliability was not trusted so it was ignored. It did however stay with us, horrible but not as horrible as the rest of the day. Once again a philosophical attitude prevailed. A quick presentation and the fleet drove off to Carsington where the second event of the weekend was taking place on Sunday.

By way of compensation three races were sailed at Carsington with slightly better wind for the 28 entries.