Craftinsure Supernova Southern Traveller Series at Haversham Sailing Club
by Sean Muldoon 21 Oct 09:35 BST
12 October 2025
Haversham Sailing Club hosted the Craftinsure Supernova Open on Sunday 12th October. The forecast looked dreadful and posed a real challenge for both the Race Officer and competitors.
Sailors arrived to a misty, still lake with barely a breath of wind. The smell of breakfast drifting from the galley filled the dinghy park, and while competitors enjoyed their rolls, the Race Officer wisely postponed the start.
From the clubhouse balcony, a few telltales began to flicker on the rigged and ready boats, hinting at a possible breeze. The Race Officer decided to make the most of it and get a race under way.
In such light and patchy conditions, clean air was always going to be key. Steve Johnson from Cotswold Sailing Club made the most of his excellent start and led from beginning to end. Andy Jones and Bailey Coulson Bland, both sailing borrowed boats, took second and third places respectively.
After a lunch break ashore, the light wind that had been forecast finally made a brief appearance, and the fleet launched once more.
Once again, Steve Johnson showed how it's done, nailing the start and leading from start to finish. Barrie Lyman (HSC) followed in second, with Adrian Lumb from Calshot Sailing Club (sailing a borrowed Mk1) taking third.
With two wins under his belt, Steve Johnson had already secured overall victory with a race to spare. The final race, with "the rest of the chocolates" still up for grabs, saw several lead changes before junior sailor Marcus Pakes managed to get in front and hold on for the win. He was followed by Bailey Coulson, Bland in second and Barrie Lyman in third.
A big thank you to all the travellers who made the effort to attend despite the poor forecast, and to the galley crew, safety boat team, and race officers for putting on a great event in challenging conditions
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 1203 | Steve Johnson | Cotswold SC | 1 | 1 | ‑7 | 2 |
| 2nd | 1135 | Bailey Coulson‑Bland | Haversham SC | 3 | ‑10 | 2 | 5 |
| 3rd | 1304 | Barrie Lyman | Haversham SC | ‑9 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 4th | 1258 | Andy Jones | Haversham SC | 2 | 4 | ‑9 | 6 |
| 5th | 1007 | Marcus Pakes | Haversham SC | 6 | ‑7 | 1 | 7 |
| 6th | 1325 | Ade Lumb | Calshot SC | ‑5 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| 7th | 1234 | Nick Whiles | Girton SC | ‑10 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| 8th | 1319 | Sean Muldoon | Haversham SC | 4 | 6 | ‑8 | 10 |
| 9th | 1060 | Richard Boutle | Haversham SC | 7 | ‑8 | 6 | 13 |
| 10th | 1259 | Mark Ramsay | Newhaven & Seaford SC | 8 | 9 | ‑10 | 17 |
| 11th | 1105 | Patrick Pakes | Haversham SC | 11 | 11 | (DNF) | 22 |
| 12th | 1083 | Serena Stewardson | Emberton Park SC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 28 |
| 12th | 1163 | Luke Fisher | Emberton Park SC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 28 |
