38 boats entered the National Championship at Porthpean S.C. near St. Austell, Cornwall from 17 th to 19 th June 2005.

Friday dawned to overcast skies, misty conditions with little to no wind. The race committee went afloat and the fleet struggled out to a becalmed committee boat and very soon a blue and white chequered flag. The fleet had to be towed back by the committee boat and a number of rescue craft.

Porthpean S.C. put on an excellent chilli supper for the fleet and after a few ales we all hoped for more wind next day.

Saturday brought a south easterly wind blowing straight onto the beach creating a big swell. Leaving the beach was a spectators sport only to be rivalled by landing and recovery with surfing thrills and a variety of spectacular landings. The Porthpean rescue crew and beach hands were able to catch and rapidly lift boats directly onto trolleys to avoid damage.

Saturday race 1

The wind favoured the left side of the reverse "P" course. Wild, Critchley, Gibson, Blackwell, Richards and Giles made good starts left tacking onto the port lay line and opening up the fleet. The fleet remained split until the starboard mark when the wind died leaving the leading boats rafted up together, allowing the remainder of the fleet to catch up. Some made wide roundings to avoid the melee and Gibson, Richards, Giles, Waterfall, Young and Chris Hawley escaped to finish in that order.

Race 2

The second race was postponed until the wind finally filled in. Mitchell, Moodie, Richards and Boneham made good starts to lead until the second beat when the wind died again allowing trailing boats to come through. The race was shortened to finish at the windward mark after completing one lap. The finishing order was Mitchell, Gibson, Flitcroft, Moodie, Richards and Boneham.

Saturday evening

The Mediterranean weather allowed Porthpean S.C. to hold the b.b.q. outside as arranged, with a local talented rock band providing entertainment. The fleet enjoyed a fabulous balmy evening looking out over St. Austell Bay.

Sunday dawned to a 15-18 knot northerly wind. The Race Officer set an Olympic course with 3 proposed short races. Three races had already been lost and 5 races were required to allow for a discard.

Sunday Race 3

Young, Halstead and Boneham set the pace with Flitcroft, Richards, Mitchell and Wilde following. The beat was approximately 1 mile and opened up the fleet, the reaches

allowed only a few positional changes. The second beat and the downwind leg decided the result with Young winning from Halstead, Boneham, Flitcroft and Richards.

Race 4

Young and Boneham broke away on the beat with Halstead, Critchley, Mitchell, Richards, Flitcroft and Gibson trailing. The wind held for the reaches but on the second beat the wind dropped and shifted about significantly allowing Gibson, Mitchell, Mountain, SteveHawley, Critchley and Halstead through on the beat. The wind built again on the downwind leg and on the gybe mark, Young inside had to take avoiding action ending with a swim and slowing several boats. A battle ensued on the short beat to the finish line with the finishing order, Gibson, Flitcroft, Halstead and Boneham. Young protested Richards which the protest committee upheld throwing Richards out.

Race 5

The wind had now built to a good 18-20 knots and the long beat was very testing. Young and Wilde set the pace with Halstead, Boneham, Blackwell, Flitcroft and Moodie chasing. The first tighter reach was now a fast planing reach. Blackwell lost out to weed on the rudder allowing Flitcroft and Moodie through. The wind strength remained 18-20 knots and it was now becoming a test of fitness. The lead was held by Young who won from, Wilde, Halstead, Boneham, Flitcroft and Gibson.

Sunday afternoon

Porthpean S.C provided an excellent buffet for the fleet and supporters before the presentation, thanks and farewells.

The Association thanked the Commodore, Ken Fobbester and all members of Porthpean S.C. for organising such an excellent 3 day event. The Supernova Association are to present Porthpean S. C. with a framed start line photograph of the fleet taken by Mike Rice.

Final Results :

1st Mike Gibson - Bartley S.C
2nd  Gavin Young- Cotswold S.C
3rd Andy Flitcroft - Bolton S.C.
4th Norman Halstead - South Cerney S.C.
5th Neil Boneham - Bartley S.C.
6th Geoff Richards - Fowey Gallants S.C

First Lady: Lesley Jeanes - Cotswold S.C.
First Master: Steve Mitchell - Porthpean S.C
First Grandmaster: Neil Boneham Bartley S.C.