Nationals 2023: 30th June - 2nd July

The Supernova Nationals are ready for your entry.

Hosted by Paignton Sailing Club on the English Riviera in the heart of Tor Bay, the sailing at this stretch of the UK coastline is some of the best that the UK has to offer. Open to the prevailing South westerlies, but somewhat protected from the real swell by the Brixham headland.

The Supernova fleet has visited before, most recently in 2019 where Cliff Milliner, Alex Horlock, Alistair Goodwin & Sam Knight took the top four places, each scoring fewer than 20 points over an 8 race programme.

In that 2019 event we had over 100 entries from as far as Scammonden SC and Beaver SC in the North, and Snettisham Beach SC in the East.

Since then the Supernovas have been to Plymouth and Plas Heli (@Pwllheli), again both just breaking into the 100 club,  although with the challenges being faced at the time, not all got out to play. We are hoping that you will be part of this year’s experience, joining the fleet for what is planned to be another great event.

Let’s have a run down on what to expect at the 2023 National Championships.

The event will kick off on the Thursday Evening with a chance for the fleet to meet up with old friends and new acquaintances; 2022 saw us being given a ‘sailing rules reminder’, it will be that kind of light hearted start to the event that gets the ball rolling.

Friday sees the first racing of the event, 3 races out in Tor Bay, in what the long range weather forecast suggests will be Champagne sailing, a force three blowing, clear blue skies, a warming but not too hot sun is expected to be shining as we launch into the crystal blue waters!!! Every event we have we learn lessons; that first day at Pwllheli was hard, we are all a year longer in the tooth and will plan the race lengths accordingly.

A Friday social to put wrongs the rights of what happened on the water, or to bask in your glory after your training has paid off and you’re ahead of where you were last year.

Saturday sees us back out to sea for what is planned to be four more races, the wind is forecast to be a little lighter, but coming from the South so warming the soul as the race officer makes tweaks to the course layout.

Another chance on the Saturday evening for you to drown your sorrows or to blow your trumpet as the fleet congregates in the various bars and resturants in the harbour.

Sunday sees the conclusion of the ten race programme; by now your discards will kick in, those ‘wrong sides of the beats’ will be forgotten, only your finest results will matter, our Class Champion will be crowned as will the celebration of fleet winners throughout the entry list. The class prides itself on inclusivity, applauding the successes of those not at ‘the’ sharp end, but at ‘their’ sharp end of their fleet.

So what we need from you is to follow the link to the entry form, complete and submit, to allow us to get on with the planning of what has the makings of a great event.

Then, get yourself onto your club fleets’ WhatsApp, get them involved, encourage them to join you (and us), go find a place to stay on www.Booking.com or www.airbnb.com

Then get yourself sailing fit, read up on those Gate Starts rules, and keep your emails checked as we build up to the event at the end of June.