Craftinsure Supernova Traveller Series at Cardiff Bay Yacht Club

It was a great turnout of 19 boats at the inaugural Craftinsure Traveller Series event at Cardiff Bay Yacht Club, including 14 visitors coming to see what Welsh lake sailing was all about.

Competitors were greeted with brilliant sunny conditions and steady 12 knots of breeze, that sometimes gusted to 19 knots. Definitely champagne sailing conditions that broke the stereotype for Wales!

Craftinsure Supernova Traveller Series at Cardiff Bay - photo © Cardiff Bay Yacht Club

RO Matt Sayer set a course that was in the style of a full Supernova Nationals event with outer loop and split leeward marks. In typical Supernova fashion everyone got away cleanly for the first race. The pin end looked good, and it was the left-hand side that paid in the beat to the top mark. Chris Hawley from Bartley SC led the way with national champion Matt Thursfield from Chelmarsh close behind. The dangerously quick duo from Cotswold sailing club of Gavin Young and Alex Reeve also in the mix and in hot pursuit. The RO was caught out with the speed of the Supernova and the first race ended up being unusually short which helped Chris to hold on to his lead despite the pressure from others. Gavin took Alex on the reach to the line, both having pulled out a little from Matt on the downwind leg.

There was no stopping for lunch (yet more Nationals practice) but the RO gave us a short break while he lengthened the course and added more laps. Race 2 was probably the breeziest of the day and we saw why Matt is our national champion - first to the windward mark and no looking back. In hot pursuit were Will Gifford (who had missed the first race due to gear failure - better now than the nationals Will!) and the ever consistent Gavin. David Cann from Cardiff Bay had a great race and an awesome second beat got him to second overall, but sadly downwind speed let him down. In the end Will really closed the gap to Matt but couldn't quite catch him. Gavin finished third and David fourth.

Craftinsure Supernova Traveller Series at Cardiff Bay - photo © Cardiff Bay Yacht Club

Race 3 saw Gavin first to the windward mark. In hot pursuit were Alex, Will, Chris plus Sean Rickets from Bartley and home boat Martin Roots. Matt was also in pursuit, but decided the downwind leg was a good time to clean his sail (it must have been windy!). There were many place changes in the gusty conditions but in the end it was Gavin who took line honors. Unfortunately Will was OCS and this resulted in Alex finishing second. Chris hit the last mark and Sean and Martin capitalised on the penalty turn - an error that would cost Chris third overall.

Race 4 was wide open for the overall win, but as expected it was Gavin and Matt fighting for the lead. It was really close but Gavin got the better on the final beat to take the race and overall win. Behind there were a lot of place changes and good competition throughout the fleet as the gusts came and went. Will was third closely followed by Johnny Everett (having the best race of the day for him) and Chris.

Winner of the Supernova Dragon Trophy was Gavin Young, with Matt Thursfield second then Alex Reeve in third.

Craftinsure Supernova Traveller Series at Cardiff Bay - photo © Cardiff Bay Yacht Club

Charles Felgate was first Mk1 in 17th position.

Also special mentions to Steve Denyer of Cardiff Bay Yacht Club in his Mk1, who learnt to sail just 18 months ago, but sailed well and wasn't always last and Colin Ricketts who lent his boat to another sailor for the last 2 races following a gear failure.

Prizes kindly supported by www.aztecsails.com and Geldard's Solicitors. The Supernova fleet thank the Cardiff Bay team for their excellent organisation and support of this brilliant event. Next stop the Nationals!

Overall Results: