Resounding Success for new championship.

The Supernova Association held its first ever Winter Championships at Bartley S.C. on the 27 th February. The event was kindly sponsored by Oxford Carriers who donated a magnificent trophy and prizes. Twenty hardy competitors entered the event despite the forecast for snow during the day.

As it turned out the weather could not have been kinder, beautiful sunshine blue skies much of the day, just a biting wind.

The first race held a little surprise a squally force 4-5 which caused some upsets and early retirements. Andy Flitcroft in his element sailed a near perfect race on his own to take the honours, Mike Gibson & Tony Wild battled for 2 nd & 3 rd with Neil Boneham 4 th and a gap to 5 th Jeff Tucker & 6 th Nick Eaves. Barry Buzzard managed to finish 7 th despite loosing his kicker half way through the race.

After a welcome hot lunch the fleet went afloat for two back-to-back races. The wind had moderated to a force 2-3 blue skies and winter sunshine.

In race 2 Tony Wild & Mike Gibson eventually broke clear of the fleet in a battle for 1 st place with Tony taking the honours this time. The chasing pack changed considerably in the fickle wind shifts, with event sponsor Dave Everett claiming 3 rd Andy Flitcroft 4 th Neil Boneham 5 th, Nick Eaves 6 th & Jeff Tucker 7 th.

In the final race the wind shifts were less predictable and the wrong side of the lake could be disastrous as many of us found out to our cost. Dave Watton led race 3 off the line and having established a commanding position decided to tack into the fray amongst the front line – mistake. Mike Gibson & Tony Wild having thanked Dave commenced another duel for 1 st place finally taken by Tony. Nick Eaves 3 rd & Dave Everett 4th battled it out to the finish line after finding found a fortuitous port lift to brake away from the remaining pack. Andy Flitcroft was 4 th followed by Neil Boneham 5 th.

Everyone agreed this new Supernova Championship was a great success and the sponsors Oxford Carriers offered to sponsor next years event.

Full Results

1 st Tony Wild, Bolton SC (2pts)
2 nd Mike Gibson, Bartley SC (4pts)
3 rd Andy Flitcroft, Bolton SC (5pts)
4 th David Everett, West Oxfordshire SC (7pts)
5 th Neil Boneham, Bartley SC (9pts)
6 th Jeff Tucker, Haversam SC (12pts)