Noble Marine Supernova Travellers circuit at Bartley Sailing Club

Cliff Milliner wins the Noble Marine Supernova Travellers circuit at Bartley, with Mike Gibson second © Supernova Association

Ellen Clancy wins First Lady at the Noble Marine Supernova Travellers circuit at Bartley © Supernova Association

Sunday 25th March saw 24 Supernovas enter the Noble Marine sponsored Supernova Travellers circuit at Bartley Open, many of whom had sailed the previous day at Cotswold SC. Some already had aches and pains from negotiating their way round Cotswold islands in fairly light breezes.

Fortunately people arrived to be greeted with some much welcome sunshine and breeze; albeit from the north----not the best direction for Bartley. Most competitors recovered well by taking advantage of a hearty full English breakfast and were ready for the first race at 11.00.

Andy Bownes the race officer for the day rose to the challenge by using temporary marks to set a course with a variety of windward legs and also some nice reaches.

First race saw the fleet got away cleanly off the line with most boats heading for the right hand side of the beat. However Steve Hawley out-smarted them all by going left and arriving at the windward mark with a clear lead. Unfortunately he was soon over taken by the chasing pack and the lead started to change.

This set the tone for the day as boats constantly changed positions as the wind fluctuated in direction and strength. It was Cliff Milliner who eventually established a lead and went onto to win with fellow Cotswold sailor Gavin Young second, Steve Hawley in third followed by fellow Bartley boats Garry Butterfield 4th and Mike Gibson 5th. Again further down the fleet positions changed.

Back to back, race two got away and this time Andrew Snell and Chris Watts joined Cliff at the front.....well for the first lap anyway. As the race progressed the home boats managed to get nearer the front.

By the finish it was fairly close between Cliff and Mike. Andy fell back to 5th and Chris down to 13th. Garry Butterfield achieved another great result by finishing 3rd.

The boats came ashore for lunch; enjoying a rest in the sunshine.

Race three saw a similar course; however the wind had shifted round to the North West. At the first mark Mike Gibson had got himself a good lead, which he went on to extend and won the race by some margin. He was followed by Tony Critchley who also once breaking free from the pack found himself in a good second place. He was followed by Chris Hawley the Class Chairman in his new boat. The pack then comprised of Cliff 4th, Steve 5th.

The overall positions were: in first place with two firsts Cliff Milliner, 2nd Mike Gibson, 3rd Steve Hawley, 4th Garry Butterfield and 5th Gavin Young. The first lady was Ellen Clancy in 10th place, one place ahead of mom Lesley.

Overall Results: