Report by: Tim Le Mare

11 visitors joined the three home boats for the Oxford Carriers sponsored Supernova Winter Championship sailed at Draycote Water on Saturday 22nd January. A grey cloudy day started with a light shower and sub zero temperatures, then the rain moved on and the temperature rose a little, the wind built to 10/12 knots gusting 14 just before the start. There were 2 races before lunch and one after with 2 to count.

Race Officer Richard Le Mare set a trapezoid course for the 14 competitors which wasn't to change for the rest of the day.

Race 1 got away to a clean start and immediately the fleet split into left and right feeling for the best upwind route, Draycote did not disappoint making it a challenge to find the best winds to the top mark. Mike Gibson covered both bets by sailing up the left before tacking up the centre for the last third. This proved to be the best tactic as he rounded just in front of Paul Earnshaw and for this and the next races this proved the better route even when the wind dropped to 7/8 gusting 10 knots. Paul held onto Mike's tails until the first run when he got the inside place on the leeward mark and led everyone till the last beat when Mike overtook him to win, Barry Winter held third place for the first 2 laps but was passed by Phil East on the third beat as he fell into a hole, Phil held this to the finish, Barry close behind and Mark Mason coming from 8th to 5th on the fourth beat where he finished.

Race 2 gave us an interesting start with half the fleet over the line, a general recall and dark mutterings of "black flag...". Then 2nd time around a clean start and by the first mark the first 4 places had been fixed and did not change till the end. Mark Mason again oscillating between 7th and 5th got it right at the end to take a well earned fifth and just behind him in his new Mk. 2 Ian Casewell. Roger Pratt from Draycote in his boat "only sailed once" and him "brand new to the class" coming in 7th.

Race 3 all clear at the start in lighter winds. Mike already had the championship in the bag and it looked like a scrap for second place between Paul and Phil. Mike was once again 1st to the windward mark with Barry close behind but Mike was pulling away, Laurie Walker had gone left up the 1st beat and was 3rd to the windward mark and held on for the first lap dropping to 5th which he held on to; his fellow Mid Warkwickshire SC club mate Mark Ellard, just behind him all the way to the finish; Paul Earnshaw in the newest boat there rose from 5th to 4th; Phil East started on 6th but climbed to 2nd on the last run giving him 2nd overall; Ian Casewell started on 7th and held this position till the end unlike his previous races where he had improved his position over the distance; Mike Hall with his best result from the day held 8th place for the first lap only dropping to 10th on the finish line; Stuart Mcbeath who has only been sailing for a little over a year, started well in 9th place only to finish in 14th; Ken Saunders in his consistent way started in 10th and finished 9th having held 8th for most of the second lap and the previous 3 races; Mike Malcom started and finished in 11th having dropped to 13th place at one time; Roger Pratt started 12th and finished 13th - his discard; Mark Mason with his worst start of the rose to finish 8th, his discard but taking 5th overall; Alan Birch started last and finished 13th and still had a smile at the finish, magic.

So Mike Gibsons name deservedly went back on the lovely Supernova Winter Championship trophy. A very enjoyable sail was topped off with all competitors receiving one of the new Supernova polo shirts.

Gear Guide

Full results here.