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Craftinsure Supernova Northern Traveller Series at Ogston Sailing Club

by Alex Reeve 18 Sep 22:48 NZST 14 September 2024
Craftinsure Supernova Northern Traveller Series at Ogston © Eric Green

In just three years, the Ogston Supernova open meeting has established itself as one of the top events in the Craftinsure Travellers' Series. This year, a bumper turnout of thirty boats enjoyed a brilliant day of champagne sailing in fresh winds and sunshine.

The fleet was highly competitive, featuring two former National champs, a former Inland champ, the current Travellers' champ and local sailor Martin Honnor, borrowing a Supernova, who was fresh from coming second at the Solo Inlands the previous week. We hope he sees the light soon!

The first race got under way cleanly, with Gav Young enjoying a good lead at the first mark. Meanwhile, it was tight in the peloton, with Matt Thursfield, Martin Honnor and Alex Reeve vying for position. The wind was switchy and gusty, proving challenging up the beat, but the planing reaches made the effort worthwhile.

As the wind dropped a fraction, Martin and Alex pulled away from Matt and started to encroach on Gav's lead, but in the end, he was comfortable, with Alex leading Martin over the line for second and third respectively. Racing was close throughout the fleet, with lots of place changing in the shifty conditions.

After an excellent lasagne, the fleet went out for the second race in slightly more wind. The left side of the beat was paying, and Matt carved his way through to take a good lead, while Mike Gibson, Andy Gomm, Gav and Martin chased. Gav pulled through into second place, closing on Matt on the downwind legs, but it wasn't enough. Matt took a solid win, followed by Gav, Martin, Andy and Mike.

There were a few capsizes in the fleet and the rescue teams did great work.

For the third race, in slightly reduced winds, it was all to play for, with any of Gav, Matt and Alex still able to win overall. However, Matt and Alex went the wrong way up the first beat and landed themselves deep in the pack. Ady Davis led initially, whooping as he rounded the first mark, but Gav soon took over, from Ady, Mike Gibson, Mike Heap and Martin, with Alex recovering to get into the mix.

It was snakes and ladders, but Gav continued to choose mostly ladders, while Alex battled through into second place and Matt overtook half the fleet to get up to third. Alex and Matt were closing on Gav at times, but it was never quite enough. Gav took the win, with Alex second and Matt third, followed by Martin and Mike Gibson.

Overall, it was a tremendous day's sailing, with Gav Young taking a well-deserved win, followed by Matt, Alex and Martin. The first Mk1 was Phil Hind, first female and first youth was Matilda Harrison, and the beginner's prize went to Daisy Ross, who'd only been in a Supernova once before and sailed bravely in the conditions.

Many thanks to Ogston SC for a great event, and we look forward to more of the same next year!

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmClubR1R2R3Pts
1st1261Gavin YoungCotswold SC1‑212
2nd1302Matt ThursfieldChelmarsh SC‑4134
3rd1344Alex ReeveCotswold SC2‑624
4th1342Martin HonnorOgston SC33‑46
5th1252Andy GommOgston SC64‑810
6th1257Mike GibsonBartley SC‑55510
7th1059Ady DavisGirton SC‑178614
8th1309Daniel StewardsonEmberton Park SC‑77714
9th1032Marcus ShawGirton SC8‑9917
10th1234Nick WhilesGirton SC9‑141019
11th1139Dana ChurchNottingham SC10‑111121
12th1130Ed JohnsonGirton SC1210‑1522
13th1256Paul BurtonGirton SC11‑171324
14th1113Richard BrameldBeaver SC‑13121224
15th412Phil HindOgston SC‑20131427
16th520Josh BeardshawRedditch SC14‑181630
17th523Matilda HarrisonOgston SC15‑191934
18th707Mike HeapOgston SC‑19161834
19th1099Peter HousleySwarkstone16‑222036
20th1272Andy Goodman‑SmithAttenborough SC‑25152237
21st1241Frank LaffertyWinsford Flash SC‑24201737
22nd1058Craig HarrisonOgston SC18(DNF)2543
23rd683Natalie SmithOgston SC2321(DNS)44
24th1083Serena StewardsonEmberton Park SC21‑242445
25th1134Tom BaldwinOgston SC22‑262345
26th1127Phil NorthGirton SC27‑292148
27th1172Sam OsborneOgston SC‑26232649
28th607Rob HunterOgston SC2825(DNS)53
29th705Stuart GascoyneOgston SC‑30272754
30th252Daisy RossOgston SC2928(DNS)57

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