Please select your home edition
Edition
Noble Marine 2022 YY - LEADERBOARD

Noble Marine Supernova Travellers' Series at Bolton Sailing Club

by David Bartholomew 1 Oct 2021 07:30 BST 25 September 2021
Bolton Supernova Open © Sally Bleasdale

September 2021 has been characterised by light winds and warm weather and this was very much the theme for the Bolton Sailing Club Supernova Open.

The OOD called an initial postponement, though shortly before the fleet were preparing to call it a day; luckily the wind filled in from the South providing sufficient racing conditions.

With the start line biased to the starboard committee boat end there was jostling for positions though those further up the line took advantage of clear wind for the start. Bolton Gold Fleet sailors Platt, Flitcroft and Critchley took an early lead separating from the rest of the fleet with Platt securing a position that he would retain throughout the race. Leading the silver fleet, Brown kept his lead over Aubrey, Scott and Bleasdale. There was frustration at the rear of the fleet with the limited wind proving a challenge. Desperately looking for wind shifts on the run to the bottom mark there was little change in position. On the second lap the shortened course signal was given, Platt retained his lead securing first place with Flitcroft second and Critchley third. Brown kept his lead on Aubrey taking fourth place and the first in the silver fleet.

Despite the forecast being for the wind to increase as the afternoon progressed there was little sign of this at the start of the second race. Flitcroft, getting a good start was first to the windward mark followed by Platt and Critchley. In the middle of the fleet Bleasdale, Brown and Bartholomew approached the second mark together though with Bartholomew incurring penalty turns as the outside boat and unable to manoeuvre in the light winds away from Brown's boom on the gybe. Flitcroft retained his lead and there were few changes to positions across the fleet until the run on the second lap when the wind briefly filled. Scott and Prince took advantage of this and passed Bartholomew, Brown and McMullen at the bottom mark, which proved to be timely positioning for the final beat to the line. At the finish line Flitcroft took first place, Platt second, Critchley third and veteran mark 1 sailor, Prince, secured sixth place.

Remaining on the water for the third race, everyone was feeling the impact on their knees from a day of light wind sailing. With both Platt and Flitcroft on equal points for the first and second races, this final race was going to be the decider. A marginal increase in wind speed made for a better start and first beat. Platt led the way to the first mark, followed by Critchley and Flitcroft, increasing his lead in the remainder of the first lap. On the second lap neither Critchley or Flitcroft were able to pass Platt, coupled with the constant threat of Aubrey and Brown following in fourth and fifth place. The positions didn't change with Platt finishing first followed by Critchley and then Flitcroft.

Overall Results:

1st Mark Platt (Bolton)
2nd Andrew Flitcroft (Bolton)
3rd Tony Critchley (Bolton)

1st Mark 1 (7th): Roger Prince (Bolton)
Furthest Travelled (6th): Tony Bleasdale (Girton)

Related Articles

Supernova class 2023 review
Plenty of new sailors taking part in events 2023 has been another super year for the Supernova Class. We've seen the number of new epoxy boats cross the 300 line (meaning there are now officially more mark 2's than mark 1's) and plenty of new sailors taking part in our events. Posted on 25 Nov
Supernova Travellers at Bowmoor
Crazy conditions for season finale The 2023 Craftinsure Supernova travelers series finale was held in a challenging range of conditions at a wet, windy, calm and sunny Bowmoor. Posted on 12 Nov
Supernova Travellers at Haversham
An impressive fleet of 26 sailors, including 12 visitors Saturday 14th October saw the Supernova fleet taking their annual outing to Haversham Sailing Club for the Craftinsure Southern travellers event. Posted on 19 Oct
Border Counties Midweek Sailing concludes
Final event at Winsford Flash sees Pete Coop win overall Border counties midweek sailing has now completed the 2023 series and what a great series it has been without a fantastic turnout throughout, with 84 individual entries (15 of which were double handed boats). Posted on 19 Oct
Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Winsford Flash
Pete Coop wins the event, and so the series overall Winsford Flash Sailing Club hosted the final round of the 2023 Borders Counties Series. 24 boats(27 sailors) entered with a healthy mix of dinghies including - Comet, Streaker, Miracle, Solo, Supernova, RS100, Laser, Topper and British Moth. Posted on 10 Oct
Craftinsure Supernova Travellers at Bolton
8 visitors attended to challenge the 11 home boats Saturday 30 September saw the Supernova fleet taking their annual outing to Bolton Sailing Club for the Craftinsure Northern Travellers event. Posted on 4 Oct
Craftinsure Supernova Traveller at Ogston
A healthy turnout of 30 boats Following the success of the first Supernova Craftinsure Traveller held at Ogston Sailing Club in 2022, the 16th September saw some eager sailors ready to do it all over again. Posted on 24 Sep
Supernova Inlands at Grafham Water
The biggest collection of Supernovas inland ever Class Chairman Iain Barlow had worked hard to get 69 pre-entries signed up for the Hartley Boats Inland Championships - the single biggest collection of Supernovas Inland in the Class' history. Posted on 9 Sep
Craftinsure Supernova travellers at Burton
Steve Hawley enjoys the top spot on the unusual mushroom podium On Friday 11 August the Supernova Class Association supported a Class training day at Burton - an event free to Class Association members. The coach for this event was national and multiple inland champion / all round class legend, Mike Gibson. Posted on 19 Aug
Supernova Inlands - Runners and Riders
A lot has changed since the event was last at Grafham Water Do you remember queuing up to watch Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire or perhaps Star Wars Episode III (Revenge of the Sith), all whilst listening to Nizlopi's JCB song on your Ipod Nano? Posted on 12 Aug