Craftinsure Supernova Traveller Series at Chelmarsh Sailing Club
by David Thursfield 2 Oct 19:05 NZDT
29 September 2024
Craftinsure Supernova Traveller Series at Chelmarsh © Matt Robinson
With forecast winds of 20+ knots, the bemused Supernova fleet gazed upon the mirror-like and windless 110 acre Chelmarsh reservoir, located in the heart of rural Shropshire.
However, they all knew what was coming! By the time the fleet had launched, an 8-10 knot breeze had started to settle from the South East, giving PRO John Dickinson the length of the water to set a course full of angles and beats.
Race 1 started on time. Matt Thursfield (1302,Chelmarsh SC) bullied the windward end of the line leading Gavin Young (1261, Cotswold SC) and Mike Gibson (1257, Bartley SC) as clear second and third across the line. The near one km beat to the windward mark saw these boats arrive in that order with the rest of the pack on their heels. The choice to put a long run allowed those behind to cover and get the increasing gusts first.
Despite a 'don't go above me' warning on lap 1, Gavin made a move to windward of Matt which prompted a luffing battle allowing Mike to take the lead by a healthy distance, the rest of the fleet on the protagonists transoms, squabbling for room at the leeward mark.
The long final beat saw Gavin and Matt pull away to close the distance to Mike, the three hoots were so close, only the OOD really knew who had the bullet. Gavin, Mike, Matt.
Race 2 saw an increasing 12-15 knots of breeze. Luke Fisher (1163, Emberton Park) banged a corner and grabbed the lead position with both hands. He led around with Duncan Cheshire (1281, Winsford Flash SC) and Chelmarsh's David Partridge (1250) vying for the podium places.
With the entire fleet now more bunched, the calls for mark room were passed outwards creating clean but painful position changes. Luke retained his lead until the final lap when a charging Matt, getting a shifty beat bang on, just squeezed through. Luke held off Gavin who took third and Mike fourth.
Race 3 followed a legendary Chelmarsh lunch - the predicted strong and strengthening wind had arrived. Ambient 20 knots with near 30 at times rattled down the lake. Seven hardy souls took to the water. Mike was first out of the blocks with a different rig. This was the prototype new smaller sail from Hartley Boats, designed with the intention of giving the fleet the new style sail but with a 20% reduced area.
In Mike's wake were Dan Stewardson (1309 Emberton Park SC) and Marcus Shaw (1032, Girton SC). Three masts slammed in the water on the first run. Mike in complete control of his rig survived the death rolls of his competitors. But it was Gavin Young who just dominated this race, got the gusts, played the shifts, depowered his rig beautifully.
Dan and Marcus battled tooth and nail for third and fourth, swapping places through the maelstrom that had beset the Shropshire landscape
A last minute drama with Gavin having a 200 yard lead within a boat length of the finish line tacked into irons and was going astern! Matt was barrelling in, only a cool head gave Gavin the race with around 20 yards to spare. Dan got his timing right and led Marcus across the line to take third.
Taking the last gun of the day was David Partridge who survived the worst of the weather as the squally gusts continued to build.
So it was Gavin's second event of September, Matt's bridesmaid run continues with another second, Mike Gibson showing class is permanent in third. Fourth was Luke Fisher just pipping Dan and Duncan into the minor placings.
As a note to mention, Serena Stewardson also took the new smaller sail for a racing trial in the morning races. Although not the 'big' winds of the afternoon, it was interesting to hear her thoughts on how the sail performed. "It looks good, it felt good, I was in control".
The next event for the Supernova Travellers is Haversham; a training day run by Alistair Goodwin on Saturday 12th October, the open on the Sunday.