33 determined sailors faced blustery, shifting, cold nor-easterlies under leaden skies at Cotswold Sailing Club's joint Supernova and Lightning Open on 8th May. Tight competitive sailing followed. The 18 Supernovas went first and local sailor Underwood with Pakes, Hawley C, Hawley S and Gibson soon drew clear. Underwood led initially but places changed frequently. Final order: Pakes, Hawley C, Hawley S, Underwood, Gibson.

Testing conditions breed good appetites so an excellent 3-course lunch vanished in a trice and the fleet re-launched to the excitement of a new well-set course. Gibson took the lead with Pakes, Underwood and the Hawley Bros in hot pursuit. The brothers broke through and overtook Gibson. but he recovered to 2nd only to lose out to Hawley S who got a lucky lift in the final lap. Result: Hawley C, Hawley S. Gibson, Underwood, Pakes.

The final race, back-to-back, was wide open. Underwood, first to the windward mark, was never caught. Behind him Hawley C covered Pakes but could not hold on, Gibson climbed four places to second but fell to Pakes in the final lap. Hawley S had hit Everett so was out of contention. Final order: Underwood, Pakes, Gibson, Hawley C, Hawley S. Further down, the fleet jockeyed similarly but the rescue boats were busy in the strengthening wind. Only eleven boats finished and those helms who tested the water temperature found it stimulating!

Overall result (last year's placing in brackets):

1st Richard Pakes, Haversham SC (2nd)
2nd Chris Hawley (Severn SC)
3rd Adam Underwood (Cotswold SC)
4th Steve Hawley, Severn SC (4th)
5th Mike Gibson, Bartley SC (1st)

Footnote: The first appearance on the circuit of the handsome new MkII Supernova caused a stir. Mike Gibson borrowed it for the second race and gave it thumbs up.

Full results here.

Pictures on this page courtesy of Adrian Hollier

Gallery of Pics courtesy of Paul Earnshaw here.