Supernova Open at Black Swan Sailing Club

Supernovas at Black Swan © Jackie Poulter

It was a warm and sunny welcome for the eight Supernova sailors this Saturday as they arrived at Black Swan Sailing Club at Hurst, Nr. Wokingham.

Paul Robson, the race officer, set a windward - leeward course on the far side of the lake, to make the best of the very light and patchy wind,

In Race 1, Pakes was first over the line, but Watts was first to reach the windward mark. A group of four boats jostled for position as they approached the leeward gate with 1025 and 1023 rounding to starboard mark to gain the advantage on the next windward leg. Later in the race the other side of the lake proved advantageous and Pakes was first to cross the finish line followed by East and Earnshaw.

During an excellent lunch, the appearance of big black clouds caused the wind to shift by 180 degrees to come from the North.

In Race 2, Pakes was again first over the line and Pakes followed by East and Casewell where fist to reach the windward mark. In the very light and fluky wind, Pakes got away from the rest of the fleet to win; eventually followed by East and Casewell.

In Race 3, the RO reduced the length of the beat to compensate for the virtually non existent wind. Earnshaw took the early lead on a port tack. Pakes again seemed to have his own “private” wind and was first to reach the windward mark. Hare-Winton, Watts and Earnshaw battled it out on the tactical down wind leg. Pakes was again first to finish followed by East and Earnshaw.

Overall Results:

1st Richard Pakes, 1016 (Haversham SC)
2nd Phil East, 528 (Haversham SC)
3rd Paul Earnshaw, 1025 (Haversham SC)