2021 Noble Marine Supernova Travellers Series at Haversham Sailing Club

Noble Marine Supernova Travellers at Haversham © Sally Bleasdale

Noble Marine Supernova Travellers at Haversham © Sally Bleasdale

The top three (l-r) Paul (3rd), Gavin (1st), Ellen (2nd) in the Noble Marine Supernova Travellers at Haversham © Sally Bleasdale

It was a really good turnout of 20 Supernovas, including 15 visitors, at the Noble Marine Traveller Series event at Haversham SC, in spite of the light wind forecast. Competitors were indeed greeted with a challenging 5-10 knots of breeze, that built ever so slightly as the sail racing day progressed.

RO Barrie Lyman postponed for 30 minutes to let the fickle breeze settle in and then set an ideal course given the wind strength and direction. Everyone except Alex Reeve from Cotswold SC (OCS) got away cleanly for the first race. Cotswold trio, Gavin Young, Ellen Clancy and Paul Undrell broke away early, for a short time in contention with Rob Bell from Emberton Park SC in a Mk1. The following fleet had many place changes throughout the race but couldn't catch the Cotswold trio who took line honours with Gavin first, Ellen Second and Paul in third. Adrian Lumb from Haversham SC popped out in front of the chasers to take fourth with the fleet following in lucky shift order after a 3 lap constant shuffle.

After the well provisioned Haversham SC lunch, the sailors went back out into a marginally improved 6-9 knot breeze, occasionally full of shifts and holes, for the afternoon's sailing.

Race 2 saw Gavin Young show an exceptional display of position recovery, after recrossing the line for a possible OCS, but leading after a few marks, and eventually breaking clean away from the fleet. Alex Reeve from Cotswold SC worked well to ultimately lead the rest home; with Paul Undrell in third and Rob Bell showing a great turn of speed on the final run to gain fourth place.

Race 3 saw Tony Bleasdale from Girton SC read wind pressure best and starting at the race box end, led the fleet around the first lap. Gavin Young and Paul Undrell chose their own route up the second lap first beat to take the lead; but Ellen Clancy and Alex Reeve were ever close in contention. Gavin again broke away to lead and Tony eventually regained second place. Ellen Clancy sailed strongly to take a crucial 3rd place, with Paul in 4th, followed by Alex.

Gavin Young took the overall win, Ellen Clancy in second then Paul Undrell in 3rd. Rob Bell was first Mk1 in 7th position.

Overall Results: