Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Supernova Training and Open at Bolton Sailing Club

by Keith Roberts 4 May 2011 08:40 BST 29-30 April 2011
Headling up the beat during the Supernova training and open at Bolton © Richard Craig / www.sailpics.co.uk

Training

Bolton Sailing Club hosted a Supernova Training day on Friday 29th April with 14 boats taking part in the training. Mike Gibson the Supernova Inland Champion travelled up from Bartley SC to pass on his knowledge. The weather lived up to the forecast of sunshine and a F4-5 very gusty easterly (onshore) wind persisting all day. This did not deter the 6 home boats with 8 other participants travelling from as far afield as Haversham, the Midlands, Cardiff bay and the South coast.

Mike’s approach to the training was a quick briefing in the club house about the boat setup and controls followed by getting the boats on the water and trying out different settings. As this was pitched at the newer members of the Supernova fleet, with the strong wind conditions, the safety boat teams had a busy day with most participants having plenty of capsize recovery practice!

After lunch, a briefing on race starts, the use of 5 essentials in racing and an intro into race techniques was put into effect on the water after a slight delay due to a 40mph squall coming across the lake just as the participants were rigging the sails.

All the participants came off the water at the end of the day tired, wet, but much better prepared for the Open meeting organised for the Saturday.

The sailing club organised a Lancashire themed meal in the evening and had put a keg of real ale on the bar for the sailors.

Open Meeting

Saturday morning dawned and the breeze if anything had increased with 25-28mph mean wind speeds and 45 mph gusts. This deterred all but the hardiest sailors some of whom had travelled up for the open on the Saturday morning with 8 from Bolton and 5 travellers.

Before the first race got away Geoff Robinson (Bolton) managed to capsize on the line creating a bit of an obstacle and Mervyn Jones (SSC) after an early bath decided the conditions were outside his capabilities and retired. However the race got away cleanly with Tony Critchley (Bolton) getting to the 1st mark ahead of the pack however a capsize at the 3rd mark gave the lead to Paul Earnshaw (Haversham) followed by Tony, Mike Gibson (Bartley) and Andy Jenkins (Bolton). With several capsizes in the fleet in lap 2 Paul and Steve Hawley (Severn) pulled clear of Tony and Mike. After 4 laps the OOD shortened course and Paul took the win followed by Steve, Tony and Mike.

After lunch race 2 started with vicious gusts coming across the lake, Tony Critchley took an early lead from Paul Earnshaw and Mike Gibson after 2 boats capsized whilst rounding the third mark. However on lap 2 Tony lost the lead as he went towards the wrong mark and Paul Earnshaw took the lead followed by Andy Jenkins who moved into 3rd place. After being hit by a huge backer Paul Earnshaw capsized (and subsequently retired), Mike Gibson took advantage to get past Tony and led the race to the end. The order of finishing was Mike Gibson, Tony Critchley and Steve Hawley.

After two races, three helms Mike Gibson, Tony Critchley and Steve Hawley were tying on 5 points each so this made for an exciting conclusion. Mike Gibson made a good start with Tony Critchley not far behind and Bolton’s Andy Jenkins hot on his heels. Andy Jenkins capsized and let Steve Hawley through. Mike Gibson powered away leaving Tony in 2nd with Steve in 3rd place.

Overall Results:

1st Mike Gibson (Bartley SC)
2nd Tony Critchley (Bolton SC)
3rd Steve Hawley (Severn SC)

Related Articles

Supernova Nationals 2025 at the WPNSA Day 2
Have you ever put a blindfold on and run as fast as you can? Have you ever put a blindfold on and run as fast as you can? No? Neither have I, but I imagine it was a bit like sailing at Weymouth today. We had 3 great races in Portland harbour in what can only be described as a spooky mist. Posted on 28 Jun
Supernova Nationals 2025 at the WPNSA Day 1
Strong wind opening day for the nearly 90-strong fleet It has been a long time since the Supernova fleet visited Weymouth, last time we were here I don't think the impressive WPNSA was even built. We were excited to be back and join the 505s for a few days on the water. Posted on 27 Jun
Supernova Nationals 2025 Runners and Riders
A whopping 88 helms are set for the WPNSA next weekend The Supernova National Championships is at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy this coming weekend. With a whopping 88 entries, it's a contender for the largest adult single-handed event in the UK this year. Posted on 21 Jun
Craftinsure Supernova Northern Travellers at Filey
Most boats launched but a fair few returned once they saw the real conditions Friday 16th May saw the first boats arriving to be set up on the beach for the annual Filey Regatta. The forecast was for some daily strong winds. Filey Brigg would offer some shelter for launching but there was bound to be a swell past the Brigg. Posted on 21 May
Supernovas at POSH
Craftinsure travellers circuit comes to Paignton The Supernova fleet are big fans of Paignton - fond memories come flooding back when we arrive on the green. This year we were pleased to see POSH being on the travellers circuit and see the Supernova fleet representing ~25% of the overall entry. Posted on 18 May
Bolton Supernova Open
Great competition at every level during the Craftinsure Travellers Series event Bolton Sailing Club has a very active Supernova Fleet and, as usual the Craftinsure Travellers event on 26th April, did not disappoint with great competition at every level. Posted on 13 May
The Loch Earn Lollapalooza
A Weekend of Race and Shenanigans! Ah, Loch Earn, the fine Scottish expanse where dreams are forged and boats sometimes find themselves inexplicably upside down! It was the venue for the thrilling Optimal Supernova Scottish Cup. Posted on 10 May
Supernovas at Chelmarsh
Shropshire sunshine for training and racing weekend In bright early April sunshine, a 5 to 12 knot breeze settled in from the East across our 110 acre reservoir, located in the heart of South Shropshire greeting the 19 entrants from all around the UK. Posted on 8 Apr
Craftinsure Supernova Travellers at Bartley
Light winds for the 32 competitors Sunshine and light winds greeted the 32 competitors who turned up to race at Bartley for the Craftinsure travellers event. With the wind forecast to drop off throughout the day, the decision was made to run two races back to back before lunch. Posted on 5 Apr
Supernovas at Cotswold
It was an 'eyes out of the boat' sort of day 25 entries including 11 visitors were greeted with sunny spells but a cold easterly wind which at Cotswold means big wind shifts, so the race officer Steve Crocker did a great job of setting a nice course with two beats and a variety of runs and reaches. Posted on 17 Mar