Since we no longer have a Newsletter, I thought it would be useful to have a Chairman's Corner on the Website. I will use this to keep you up to date with events and news.
I would first like to say a belated big thank you from myself and the rest of the Committee to Dave Everett for all the work he did, over the last 12 years, on the Committee and especially for his work as Chairman. I am sure you will join us in thanking Dave for his efforts.

Thanks also to everyone who attended the Xmas Pudding event. The sailing was excellent, the evening dinner great fun and the debate lively. Sorry some of you could not make the event you really missed an excellent day. Thanks to Muriel and Jeff Tucker for making all the arrangements. I would like to see the Xmas Pudding circulated around the different clubs, I would like to suggest that it is again held at Haversham in 2010 but then look for volunteers to organise the event for 2011.

Prior to me accepting the position of Chairman I spoke with both Dave and Mike Gibson about the role and was told that its a fairly straight forward, all you need to do is help organise the racing, sort out the trophies for the nationals and that's about it. Little did I know what the future would hold!

Hopefully you will have by now read the letters from Richard and Mark Hartley on the main website. (If not I recommend you look at them now). The Committee and I are very excited about the announcements and are looking forward to an exciting and successful 2010.

I think most people have heard the news about the new sail, having personally tried out the new sail, I believe it is a sail that will make the boat more enjoyable to sail, it is well made, easy to adjust to suit all wind conditions and made of a superior sail cloth. We are still testing the sail and it is currently at Cotswold SC, we hope to provide detailed feedback to Hartley's in early January so that the sail can go into production early next year. The Banks sail is still available for those people who prefer to stick with the Banks sail but the Hyde sail is no longer available. (See Hartley's letter for news about pricing).

The announcement from Richard and Mark about modernisation of the Supernova really excites me. I see this as an opportunity to put new life into the class and having Phil Morrison working on the design am confident that we will have a boat that will have stunning looks and secure the success of the class for the future but still enable the older boats to compete on a level footing. In making the changes Hartley's have to make substantial investment and I am therefore confident that the boat will be marketed extensively next year. I am sorry that we do not have a picture of the new design but we will publish something as soon as it is available, we expect this will be late January. The intention is to show the new boat at Alexander Palace and I hope to be on the stand alongside Richard and Mark.

I am sure this will be a subject of lengthy debate but I personally think it is very positive for the long term future of the Supernova.

I honestly believe the fixture list for next season is the best I have seen since joining the class and provides good venues around the country. I am particularly looking forward to the Nationals in Llandudno a fantastic venue for sailing and for the rest of the family. Hopefully we will this year get over 50 boats at the Nationals. I can tell you that we are close to securing sponsorship for the Nationals and will keep you updated about this as further progress is made.

I'd just like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing many of you on the circuit next year.

Regards and Best Wishes
Paul Earnshaw
Supernova 703