Supernova Inland Championship at Northampton Sailing Club

Supernova Inland Champion Cliff Milliner © Josh Cooper

An impressive 49 Supernovas made the trip to Northampton for the 2014 Supernova Inland Championship. The visitors were met by the usual fantastic Northampton hospitality, but unfortunately a very light and fickle breeze. Fortunately, the wind filled in enough for the race officer to fit in the four scheduled races for day one.

Race 1

Defending inland champion Cliff Milliner took an early lead, but was eventually caught by new to the class Tim Hand who passed Milliner on the final beat. Alan Bishop finished third in a mark 1, showing that the older boats are still competitive.

Race 2

A significant change in wind direction meant a total course change. Mike Gibson and Luke Fisher (another mark 1) made the right call up the first beat and established a clear lead. Gibson took line hours, followed by Fisher and then Andy Flitcroft.

Race 3

After a short break for lunch the wind had steadied ready for race 3. Chris Hawley and Steve Hawley dominated the early stages of the race, but usual order was restored when Milliner and Gibson broke through to finish in that order.

Race 4

Another bullet for Gibson, followed closely by Hand. Cotswold hotshot Gavin Young finished third. Special mention should go to Robin Kirby who managed to capsize on the start line by putting in a slightly overly generous roll tack.

Gibson was leading overnight, with results very tight at the top and through the fleet. After a quick AGM, retiring Chairman Paul Earnshaw provided some entertainment for the evening with his "Warrior" stories.

Race 5

After the usual spectacular Northampton breakfast everyone was ready to go. This included the wind, which had decided to show up with a steady force 2 gusting 3. Phil "first beat" East lived up his name and had a good lead at the windward mark. Milliner knew he had to do something special to catch up Gibson's overnight lead; impressively he did, winning the race by a good margin over youth sailor Alex Collins. Hand proved his consistency by finishing third.

Race 6

After an uncharacteristically mid-fleet result in race 5 Young was first out of the traps and didn't look back having a huge lead by the end of the race. Chris Hawley and Tony Bleasdale were on Young's transom at the start but got caught up with some Lightnings and lost out to Collins who finished second with Hawley third.

Overall Milliner won the event with Gibson second. Bishop was the Silver fleet winner, finishing 10th overall.

The current momentum in the Supernova class is impressive, with over 60 at the Nationals and open meeting turnouts of up to 30. The Supernova class is renowned for its friendly and supportive comradely, which combined with a fast growing younger sailor contingent really makes the Supernova one of the best singlehanded fleets at the moment.

Overall Results: