Winter Championship sponsored by Oxford Carriers

24 Supernova sailors, from 10 different clubs arrived at Bartley SC greeted by sunshine and a good breeze. It hardly felt like the middle of winter. The race committee briefed the competitors and everyone took to the water for the first race. The first competition of the year saw Mark Hartley lose his mast before the start; a case of "fail to prepare, prepare to fail"!

The remaining 23 lined up on the start line and most got away cleanly. In a shifty breeze there was plenty a place changes going on. Eventually three boats broke clear. These were Richard Pakes, Bruce (Ian)Howett and Mike Gibson. There was still a close race going on behind, with the chasing pack lead by Paul Undrell, Matt Albiston and Barry Winter. The race went to Richard Pakes with Bruce Howett second. The competitors returned to shore for lunch.

The afternoon's races were to be sailed back to back.

Back on the water, the breeze had now strengthened considerably, catching one or two out. It looked as though some had had too many cheeky vimto's during the break. As well as increasing in strength the wind had shifted further west and was now quite gusty.

The second race nearly started Ok, but the race officer decided he wasn't happy and called everyone back. A slight course change was called for and the boats lined up for the second attempt. This time they got away with Mike Gibson crossing the fleet on port. As the top mark approached Mark Hartley led onto a short run, then a really good reach back up the lake. This leg showed off the Supernova as they planed towards mark number 5. At the start of the second lap it was Mark Hartley who led, but lost his lead following a poor approach to the windward mark. This dropped him back and allowed chasing pack through. Mark managed to hold on to fourth place but was under pressure from David Smith.

The race was won by Mike Gibson, with Bruce Howett second. As the boats prepared for the start of race three, there were a few finding the strong gusts quite a handful.

Race 3 started with congestion by the committee boat but further down the line people got away cleanly. A long line of boats were lifted on port as they flew into the first mark. This race was dominated by Richard Pakes who led from start to finish. However there were battles going on behind with Steve Hawley and Neil Boneham fighting it out for second place. David Smith having another good race was just in front of Barry Winter and Paul Undrell. Neil Boneham dropped back after hitting a mark, with further chaos ensuing while doing his penalty as Jeff Tucker bore down on him. This meant a few place changes. In freshening conditions there were one or two capsizes. This made for more place changes. Mike Gibson had moved up the fleet to second after a bad start and was now being followed by Bruce Howett who also had climbed from the back having an excellent downwind leg sailing much lower than everyone else. It was Richard Pakes, still well in the lead that went on to win, with Bruce Howett taking second on the beat to the finishing line.

Winter Champion was Richard Pakes (666) Haversham S. C. .
2nd Mike Gibson (687) Bartley S. C.
3rd Bruce Howett (651) Haversham S. C.
4th David Smith (661) Stewartby S. C.
5th Paul Undrell (470) Haversham S. C.

Full results here.