Supernova Sailing Dinghy Race Report

Black Swan SC

Supernova Open meeting at Black Swan Sailing Club

Saturday 22nd March 2003

Black Swan locals and visitors were greeted with a reasonable breeze for racing. Race officers Paul Robson and Stuart Fraser set courses that gave an entertaining first beat depending on how much the wind was shifting and at the first mark a reach that gave the lead boats a chance to consolidate their positions.

The first race the fleet got away cleanly. Gavin Stanley lead the fleet from David Everett and Andy Flitcroft. David closed on Gavin on the downwind leg. David's new boat was performing well and at the mark had taken the lead. Gavin regained the lead on the second beat but was feeling the pressure from Andy, Tim Harris and Steve Hawley. During the second lap Andy, Tim and Steve took up the lead positions. On the closing beat of the race Steve squeezed a mark, the resulting touch & turns from Steve let Gavin through. Result 1st Andy, 2nd Tim & 3rd Gavin.

Race 2 commenced in much the same conditions and again Gavin came out of the blocks first with Andy second. Mark Giles was now making his presence known and looked good for third. The breeze was holding and through the fleet there was plenty of good racing. At times it was give and take with positions being swapped depending on which side of the course you were on. Result 1st Gavin, 2nd Andy & 3rd Mark.

Race 3 race commenced straight away and this time the fleet had a new group of leaders with David taking the lead. Alan Price was up there as was Tim and Mark. The lead group pulled away from the rest of the fleet. Alan Utteridge was motoring and held fifth. Result 1st David, 2nd Mark & 3rd Alan Price.

Top 6 places:
1. Andy Flitcroft, 553 (Bolton SC)
2. Gavin Stanley, 480 
3. Mark Giles, 357 (West Oxfordshire SC)
4. Tim Harris, 400 (Up River YC)
5. David Everett, 556 (West Oxfordshire SC)
6. Alan Price, 543 (Portsmouth SC)

Gavin Stanley