Noble Marine Southern Series Supernova Open at Haversham Sailing Club

Haversham Sailing Club welcomed fourteen Supernova sailors for its Open Meeting on Sunday, part of the Noble Marine Southern Series 2027. Three competitors sailed borrowed boats, while changing conditions produced close racing across the fleet.

With three races scheduled, the overall result was decided in the final race.

Race 1 - A Last-Lap Decider

Jon Wood of Avon Sailing Club led for much of the opening race, but Gavin Young of Cotswold Sailing Club timed his move perfectly to overtake on the last lap and take the win.

The pack during the Noble Marine Southern Series Supernova Open at Haversham - photo © Dave Johnson

The battle for third and fourth was equally close. Ali Boyd and Sean Muldoon exchanged positions several times on the final lap, while Richard Nurse and Barrie Lyman closed the gap as they fought their own battle.

Race 2 - Shifty Conditions Keep Sailors Guessing

The breeze filled in before the second start but soon faded, leaving the fleet to contend with increasingly shifty conditions.

Jon Wood during the Noble Marine Southern Series Supernova Open at Haversham - photo © Dave Johnson

Barrie Lyman made a poor start, giving Mike Malcolm some breathing space in their battle for the over-65 prize.

Jon Wood held off Gavin Young to win, with Sean Muldoon third.

Race 2 results:

1. Jon Wood
2. Gavin Young
3. Sean Muldoon

Race 3 - Young Holds His Nerve

With the overall result still undecided, the final race promised another close contest between Gavin Young and Jon Wood.

Wood made a poor start but worked his way back through the fleet. Young was around a leg ahead and appeared to have control, while Patrick Pakes made an excellent start to round the first mark among the leaders.

Sean Muldoon during the Noble Marine Southern Series Supernova Open at Haversham - photo © Dave Johnson

The shifting, fading breeze then left Young in a hole, allowing the chasing pack to close in. He held Wood off under pressure to win the race and secure overall victory.

A mistake by Bailey Coulson Bland in the final few metres allowed Marc Sandham to move into third.

Race 3 results:

1 Gavin Young
2 Jon Wood
3 Marc Sandham

Prize Winners

Congratulations to all the prize winners:

1st overall: Gavin Young, Cotswold Sailing Club
2nd overall: Jon Wood, Avon Sailing Club
3rd overall: Sean Muldoon, Haversham Sailing Club
First borrowed boat: Bailey Coulson Bland, Haversham Sailing Club
Over-65 prize: Mike Malcolm, Haversham Sailing Club
Furthest travelled: Jeremy Renwick, Bowmoor Sailing Club

Three competitors sailed borrowed boats, helping make the event accessible and bringing more sailors to the start line.

Thank You

Thanks to everyone who helped make the Open Meeting possible, including those who supported the galley and provided breakfast rolls, tea and coffee.

We also thank everyone who travelled to Haversham, lent boats, sailed them or volunteered their time.

Congratulations to Gavin Young on his overall win, and thanks to the fleet for making it an enjoyable and competitive day at Haversham Sailing Club.

Overall Results: