Craftinsure Traveller Combined Event (Northern and Southern) Series Open2023
Blithfield SC is the Location for the 3rd Combined Traveller Series event on Saturday 29th July 2023. Blithfield has a fabulous stretch of water in the Midlands with good access from most parts of the country.
Camping, galley and bar facilities will be available.For this event, Blithfield SC is constrained in the amount of overnight accommodation allowed. A small number of campervans may be permitted to park overnight and available grass areas are restricted to a small number of tents. Space will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and can only be arranged through the Supernova Fleet Captain on [email protected]
The entry fee for the event is £20.00 which will include lunch and hot drinks throughout the day.
Entry is using the on-line form at https://www.blithfield.org.uk/event-details/supernova-craftinsure-traveller-open-meeting-2023-1?fbclid=IwAR2mZu2VuoxNICe31Q0GIm6NcRaWlNeD6FlZTibmb_jNJ19KWGrYtgcHdtk On-line entries will close at midnight on 27 Jul 23. Registration is possible on the day.
Report
The CraftInsure Northern and Southern Traveller Series Supernova Open at Blithfield SC.
photo by Dave Pawlak
Blithfield Sailing Club hosted their round of the Supernova Craftinsure Traveller series on the 29th July 2023.
The forecast for the day was for a fresh westerly breeze and a bit of sunshine, perfect for Blithfield.
Twenty competitors set out for the start of Race 1 which began almost on time after some quick mark and line moving as the breeze settled from south west to more of the forecast westerly direction. The race team set a course attempting to use every inch of sailable water on Blithfield.
Matt Thursfield led around the windward mark closely followed by Alex Reeve & Andy Flitcroft, the places stayed close on the first run but began to open out by the end of the second beat. By the end of the race Matt had built a comfortable lead to take the win followed by Alex & Andy into second and third places respectively.
The breeze built substantially through Race 1 causing some spectacular capsizes and leading to a few retirements.
photo by Dave Pawlak
The fleet retired for a super curry lunch prepared by our in-house chef!
The now reduced fleet had requested slightly shorter races for the afternoon so the race team obliged, dropping one windward leg from the course and adding an extra (hopefully) exciting reach.
Matt Thursfield took the win in Race 2 followed again by Alex & Andy meaning Matt had the meeting sewn up but the battle for second was still to play for.
photo by Dave Pawlak
Race 3 started in less wind and Matt became buried in the pack. Andy led around the windward mark, closely followed by Alex and these 2 boats extended away in their own private battle followed by Blithfield’s own Julian Basset in a comfortable 3rd place. The race finished with Andy taking the win meaning that Alex finished with three 2nd places but came 3rd!!
This left the final standings as: –
1st Matt Thursfield
2nd Andy Flitcroft
3rd Alex Reeve
4th Julian Basset (1st Blithfield Boat)
Additional prizes were kindly sponsored by Hartley boats. Following an exciting day winner Matt Thursfield thanked the Blithfield team for their fantastic hospitality, great courses, and warm and friendly welcome, both on and offshore.
Author: Paul Keeling
photo by Dave Pawlak
Location: Blithfield SC
