Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2023 May YY LEADERBOARD
Product Feature
Seldén PBB50 CHEEK BLOCK
Seldén PBB50 CHEEK BLOCK

Supernova Traveller Series at Black Swan Sailing Club

by Bob Lovell 24 May 2010 12:59 BST 22 May 2010
Event winner Richard Pakes powering to windward at the 2010 Black Swan Supernova open © Bob Lovell

Black Swan Sailing Club hosted the Supernova Class Association Open Meeting, one of the Association’s Traveller series of 15 events which are held across the UK.

Despite concerns about the lack of wind 13 competitors arrived eager to race. In fact concerns about the wind proved groundless with a Force 2 to 3 mainly northerly wind which would test the sailors and indeed the Race Officer’s skills.

Race Officer was Black Swan’s Paul Robson, who got the day off to a prompt start at 11.30 a.m. despite some last minute worries with the wind direction shifting up to almost 90 degrees. Best start was by Richard Pakes of Haversham Sailing Club who correctly judged the wind, flying off at the starboard end of the line gaining an immediate advantage over competitors who started mid line. Richard followed by Cotswold Sailing Club’s Cliff Milliner got through Black Swan’s notorious “gap” leaving the rest of the fleet struggling to cope with dirty wind in the “gap’s” narrow waters. The advantage gained here enabled Richard and Cliff to stay clear of the fleet and finish the first race 1st and 2nd.

The back of the fleet also saw some keen racing with competitors jostling for to improve their positions. Patrick Rohart of Haversham SC was unfortunate, touching a race mark thus having to do penalty turns.

The start of the second race was even more fiercely contested with Sam Hood of Cotswold SC, Steve Hawley of Severn SC and Patrick Rohart of Haversham getting an early lead.

Sam Hood and Richard Pakes chose to sail close to the island and whilst Steve Hawley got to the “gap” first he was soon caught by Sam Hood and Richard Pakes. Richard gained an advantage by sailing close to the easterly shore of the island and by mark 6 he had taken the lead which he held to the end of the race leaving Steve Hawley and Haversham’s Paul Undrell battling for 2nd and 3rd. So, 2 up to Richard Pakes.

The third race saw Paul Undrell, Richard Pakes, and Cliff Milliner battling to get to the windward mark first. However they were caught by Black Swan’s Commodore Ian Casewell, who despite starting last sailed through the fleet to catch them at the second mark. Cliff Milliner took the inside line at the third mark passing Richard Pakes and held on to his lead beating Richard at the end of the race. Black Swan’s Ian Casewell managed 3rd. Sam Hood of Cotswold was unfortunate in hitting a finish mark just after reaching the finish line, which, as he had not cleared the line resulting in him having to do penalty turns. He did however just manage to retain his finishing position.

A good day's racing with lots of sun and shifting winds to challenge the sailors. In fact club racing as it should be.

Overall Results:

1st Richard Pakes (Haversham SC)
2nd Cliff Milliner (Cotswold SC)
3rd Paul Undrell (Haversham SC)

Related Articles

Supernova Nationals 2023 Runners & Riders
A mammoth 92 entrants for the event at Paignton The Supernova National Championships is at Paignton at the end of June, and we have a mammoth 92 entrants - amongst the largest entry of any Championships in the UK, and perhaps top adult single hander over the last few years. Posted on 5 Jun
Supernova class at Paignton's POSH
A bit of sneaky pre-Nationals practice, two weeks early The weekend of 20 and 21 May saw nine Supernovas make the trip down south for a bit of sneaky pre-nationals practice at the fantastic Paignton sailing club. Posted on 27 May
Supernova Northern circuit at Attenborough
Well-mannered fleet hit by some lively gusts and a couple of capsizes occurred The day dawned clear, sunny and warm but above all there was a north easterly wind of between 12 and 16 mph. Six visitors joined four local boats for a small fleet in this leg of the series. Posted on 26 May
Paignton Open Single Handed 2023
Tor Bay was a sight to behold with over 100 boats on the water for POSH Tor Bay was a sight to behold with over 100 boats on the water this weekend as Paignton Sailing Club hosted the 2023 Paignton Open for Single Handers (POSH), sponsored by Sailing Chandlery. Posted on 25 May
Festival Of The Sea preview
Shoreham SC and Sussex YC to host variety of racing fun this June This is a joint Open Event organised by Shoreham Sailing Club & Sussex Yacht Club taking place on the weekend of Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th June, 2023. Racing is organised for both keelboats and dinghies, west of Shoreham Harbour. Posted on 22 May
Get your entry in for the Supernova Nationals 2023
Less than a month away from the deadline for entries, 80 boats already entered Paignton at the end of June for a three day nationals is looming large in the Supernova psyche. A great venue, a fabulous crowd, all racing a class of boat that caters for a wide range of helm sizes. Posted on 6 May
Craftinsure Supernova Traveller Series at Bartley
A wet and cold start to the day for 30 helms It was a wet and cold start to the day, but Bartley was pleased to welcome 30 helms from across the country to this ever popular open meeting. Could any of them beat the local fleet of Supernovas - the current holders of the national team prize? Posted on 31 Mar
Battle of the Hikers preview
No trapeze? Get to Rutland this May! The very popular Battle of the Hikers will take place on the 27th and 28th May 2023. 30+ boats are expected. The Graduates were the biggest class last time. Nick Craig sailing his OK was the overall winner. Posted on 18 Mar
Supernovas at Cotswold
Eight visitors brave the journey for the Craftinsure Travellers Series event The Craftinsure Supernova Travellers Event at Cotswold SC was held on the 11th March. Despite the forecast looking dreadful all week, and many regulars unable to collect their boats or travel due to the snow, in the end we were lucky. Posted on 12 Mar
Supernova Winter Championships at Bowmoor
Thankfully the rig is fully adjustable to allow helms to control the power well What a fantastic start to the 2023 season with 30 hardy sailors entered for the first event of 2023 in the Supernova calendar, the Winter Championships, held at one of our favourite venues Bowmoor SC on the Cotswold Water Park. Posted on 3 Mar