Supernova Craftinsure Northern circuit at Attenborough Sailing Club
by Roger Day 26 May 13:29 BST
20 May 2023
Supernova Craftinsure Northern circuit at Attenborough © Roger Day
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. The format was for a single race before lunch and two races back to back in the afternoon.
Race 1 got away cleanly first time and by the end of the first beat the result for the race was almost written as the fleet became spread out. As the boats completed the four circuits there were few changes in position but with some close racing at the front of the fleet. Eventually Andy Flitcroft of Bolton SC secured the win followed by Dana Church from Notts County SC and in third Nick Whiles from Girton SC.
Race two was started with a change of course as the wind had shifted slightly to become slightly more easterly. Again the fleet got away cleanly and the same boats reached the first mark in similar positions with the noticeable difference in that one of the local boats sailed by Kevin Last had entered the battle towards the front after a massive error in the first race had seen him at the other end of the fleet.
The course allowed for some decisions to be made as to which way to go around islands in the lake and whether this resulted in the position changes noted is debatable but unlike the first race there were significant position changes. The wind was also a challenge with some lively gusts and a couple of capsizes occurred.
Final positions for first and second places were reversed from race 1 and Nick Whiles secured the third place once again. So all was to play for in race three.
The well-mannered fleet got away yet again cleanly but with many calls between boats as they squeezed together at the windward end of the line close to the Committee boat but good manners seems to have prevailed. The race followed the same course as the second race but with one buoy rounded in the opposite direction. Again there was some close racing but unsurprisingly the usual suspects were at the front of the fleet.
Andy Flitcroft sailed well to pull away from the fleet and thus gave him two "bullets" and an event win overall. Dana Church took the second and Kevin Last had finally found his form and took third closely followed by Nick Whiles.
The Supernova fleet thanks Attenborough for their hard work and hospitality though the event and all of the competitors for supporting the event.
Final positions:
1. Andy Flitcroft, Bolton SC
2. Dana Church, -
3. Nick Whiles, Girton SC
4. Kevin Last, Attenborough SC
5. Tony Bleasdale, Girton SC
6. Bob Ceurstemont, Attenborough SC
7. Serena Stewardson, Emberton Park SC
8. Rich Chaney, Attenborough SC
9. Andy Goodman-Smith, Attenborough SC
10. Ian Shapiro, Ogston SC