Craftinsure Supernova Traveller Northern Series at Winsford Flash Sailing Club

Craftinsure Supernova Traveller Northern Series at Winsford Flash © Brian Herring

Winsford Flash Sailing Club welcomed 18 entries to their inaugural Supernova Open Meeting. Boats came from Bartley, Burton, Carsington, Cotswold and Girton to compliment the Winsford Fleet. There was healthy mix of Mark 1 and Mark 2 boats.

The Winsford Supernova Fleet has experienced meteoric growth in the last 12 months moving from two to 14 boats. The availability of Mk 1 boats (which can be purchased between £1,000 and £2,000) has been a major factor in encouraging new people into the fleet.

Sailors were met with a favourable North Westerly wind of 12 knots. Jon Close our race officer had no trouble setting an up/downwind course which gave sailors plenty of choices.

Race 1

After a very close start with most sailors right on the line, the first beat was very competitive. View the start video below.

Pete Coop and Iain Barlow opted to go left which paid off. Pete was first round the windward mark followed by Paul Undrell and Iain.The middle of the pack had very tight racing with place changing on every leg. Equally the 3-4 back markers were having a good race.

On lap 2, there was a huge 50-degree wind shift which resulted in 4 capsizes to windward. Pete, Paul and Iain were the top three finishing positions. Pete Chambers was the leading Mark 1 boat finishing eighth.

As the forecast was for the wind to hold / build we broke for a hot two-course lunch provided by the amazing Winsford Flash hospitality team.

Craftinsure Supernova Traveller Northern Series at Winsford Flash - photo © Brian Herring

Race 2

The wind built with the boats now occasionally planing. Pete again got to the windward mark first. Duncan Cheshire was second in his Mark 1.

As the race developed Pete extended at the front to win with Paul second and Iain third. First Mark 1 was Duncan Cheshire (seventh position) followed closely by Steve Bellamy who was sailing in the Winsford Club Supernova for the first time. View the start video below.

Race 3

With two firsts and the regatta won Pete Coop decided to sit out the last race. Paul and Iain looked favourites to complete the overall podium places. Eric Haselden had an excellent first beat to lead round the first mark, closely followed by Steve Johnson, Iain and Paul. There were many place changes throughout the race.

Iain finally broke clear to win, with Steve Johnson in second place and Paul Undrell coming in third. View the start video below.

Jon Close used the Whiskey flag with great effect to finish the back markers early which meant the schedule was kept on track. As the leading boats finished a three-lap race, the back markers were approximately one lap behind, meaning they would have been timed out without the Whiskey Flag.

The last thing a beginner to racing needs is to get no score for their efforts, so well done to Jon.

Craftinsure Supernova Traveller Northern Series at Winsford Flash - photo © Brian Herring

Prize-giving

Pete Coop, WFSC class captain, made a special award to two local sailors James Stark and Chris Graham. One year ago, they could not sail. They both completed a sailing course then asked advice about which boat to buy. As a class, we tried them in a Supernova with a cut-down sail.

We then helped them to find the right boats at the right price and now one year later, they are regular club sailors and have now completed their first open meeting finishing 15th and 17th respectively.

Pete Chambers won the Mark 1 prize finishing in eighth place.

In summary it was a great open meeting with an atmosphere of helping and encouraging all competitors.

Pete Coop (1st) and Iain Barlow (2nd) at the Craftinsure Supernova Traveller Northern Series at Winsford Flash - photo © Charlotte Coop

Overall Results:

Craftinsure Supernova Traveller Northern Series at Winsford Flash - photo © Brian Herring