Supernova Travellers at Bowmoor Sailing Club

by Mark Hitchmough 12 Nov 2023 20:55 GMT 4 November 2023

The 2023 Craftinsure Supernova travelers series finale was held in a challenging range of conditions at a wet, windy, calm and sunny Bowmoor.

As the competitors assembled for briefing, with the wind and rain lashing against the windows, an extra rescue boat was launched and nervous sailors debated the wisdom of putting sails up. Remarkably by the time we launched, both wind and rain had disappeared and the wind had dropped to virtually nothing.

The one lap drift was clinched on the final leg by Alex Reeve (Cotswold) with the first 5 boats all finishing within a few seconds, whilst back markers were still trying to reach the windward mark which, by the time I reached it, was very much a leeward mark.

An early lunch was called before heading out for race 2. This time the challenge was staying upright as 25 knot + gusts ripped across the lake and the rescue crews became fully occupied. Survival was the target at the back of the fleet whilst heavy weather experts fought for podium spots. Victory went to Matt Williams (Cotswold) ahead of Sean Ricketts (Bartley/Cardiff Bay). First race winner Alex finishing 4th to set up an interesting last race.

The gusts were still blowing through as race 3 started with the event still up for grabs. However, by the end of the first lap the sun was out and the wind was dropping, almost to nothing by the finish. Capsized boast on the start line and drifting across the finish line - appropriate bookends to a very tricky day for both sailors and the excellent race team managed by OOD Charlie Sansom.

Matt showed his ability to adapt to the changing weather by getting a second victory, just ahead of Alex in second, to clinch the event. Local hero Chris Hobbs taking overall third for Bowmoor.

One of 5 open meeting first timers, Oliver Crocker, was a very creditable 4th (two 3rd place finishes) with Sean Ricketts taking Mark 1 honours, ahead of Bowmoor's Liz Fewings.

The Supernova Class Association thank Bowmoor for hosting the event and everyone who travelled to make the event worthwhile.

Overall Results:

Pos	Sail No	Helm	Club	R1	R2	R3	Pts
1st	1248	Matt Williams	Cotswold SC	‑3	1	1	2
2nd	1280	Alex Reeve	Cotswold SC	1	‑4	2	3
3rd	1179	Chris Hobbs	Bowmoor SC	2	‑7	4	6
4th	1162	Oliver Crocker	Cotswold SC	‑5	3	3	6
5th	698	Sean Ricketts	Cardiff Bay	‑11	2	7	9
6th	1160	Paul Undrell	Cotswold SC	‑12	5	6	11
7th	1256	Paul Burton	Girton	‑8	8	5	13
8th	1307	Martin Roots	Cardiff Bay	4	‑10	10	14
9th	483	Liz Fewings	Bowmoor SC	6	(RET)	8	14
10th	1254	Tony Bleasdale	Girton	7	9	(DNS)	16
11th	1176	Mark Hitchmough	Bowmoor	‑15	6	11	17
12th	1260	Ben Viggars		10	‑12	9	19
13th	1069	Andy Marshall	Bowmoor SC	9	‑13	13	22
14th	436	Owen Griffiths	Bowmoor	‑14	11	12	23
15th	433	Robin Cartwright	Bowmoor SC	13	(RET)	RET	29