Supernova class at the POSH regatta 2025 at Paignton Sailing Club

Supernova class at the POSH regatta at Paignton © Tom Wildy

The Supernova fleet are big fans of Paignton - fond memories from a number of great nationals come flooding back when we arrive on the green. This year we were pleased to see POSH being on the Craftinsure travellers circuit and see the Supernova fleet representing about 25% of the POSH overall entry.

Sadly one of our Platinum sailors, Gavin Young, was a late cancellation - but we did have a local, Chris Webber, using the free of charge epoxy Class Association loan boat - rumours were that he was pretty handy and that definitely proved to be the case.

The fleet was also represented more broadly with ex-Supernova sailor Steve Hawley sporting a Solo and current ish Supernova sailor Peter Mackin in his 300.

Day 1 saw 3 great races in champagne conditions. The waves were very challenging to the pond sailors other than class newbie Luke Fisher from Emberton. Luke was at the front chasing down Chris W as well as former national champion and recent Supernova returnee of Iain Horlock. Despite Chris being a local boat he managed to sail the wrong course in race 1, throwing away an early race win.

Although these 3 were mixing it up through the day, Paul Undrell and James Gerwat were having great racing and picking their way through the menagerie classes.

Chris Hawley, Serena Stewardson and Daniel Stewardson were making up the pack with moments of glory but having fun regardless.

After the racing we had a lovely curry in the clubhouse and it was fab to see the different classes mixing it up and debating the conditions of the day. When the results were first published the 300's were 1st, 2nd, 3rd overnight - we were very impressed by this, until the results were corrected!

Day 2 was a much lighter breeze but still lumpy. As we headed off to the start line and watched the Fires start the rain came in and the wind died. Great call from PRO Ian Bullock to abandon the race and sit it out. It felt like about 3 hours of waiting as the rain soaked us to the core, but when the sun came out and the wind filled in we were good to go.

The lighter winds saw Chris H achieving some much better results and getting to the front of the fleet at times. We also found ourselves catching up the slow fleet more than the previous day which was interesting. Hats off to 300 sailor Tom Moore who started with us and in a 40 minute race caught up and overtook all of the slow boats and all of the Fires to finish first on the water (despite giving them an 8 minute head start!).

Chris W was consistently at the front with Iain and they both achieved some amazing results.

When the handicaps were adjusted Chris W was our overall winner (and second overall) followed by Iain and then Luke.

The organisation of POSH is superb and the effort the club volunteers put in to support the launch and recovery is just incredible. We will be back next year!