Noble Marine - 2018 Cotswold Open

By Cliff Milliner - courtesy of Yachts and Yachting

It was a great turnout of 33 boats at the Noble Marine travellers event at Cotswold Sailing Club, including the current National champion coming to see what true lake sailing was all about, were greeted with a light 2-3knts, that slowly died as the afternoon went on.

RO David Bevan set a nice course given the wind and everyone got away cleanly. The port end looked good, but it was the right-hand side that paid at the top mark, Bartley’s Steve Hawley lead the way from the Cotswold duo of Gavin, Cliff with Mike close behind. Gavin was sailing fast but not always the right way, yo-yo-ing from 1st to 4th all race, but the RO shortened the course at the right time with Gav just sneaking through to take the line from, Mike, Steve, then Cliff.

After the legendary CSC (Sam Hood) lunch, the sailors went back out into a dying breeze.

In race 2 you might have thought you heard a dog yelping in pain, but no, that was the dulcet tones of Frank McMullen from Bolton Sailing Club who was first to the windward mark. In hot pursuit were Andrew Snell and Gavin. Andrew and Gavin sneaked past Frank - it was nice whilst it lasted hey Frank. But no Frank was not going to roll over this time, he overtook both Gavin and Andrew to retake the lead. In the end it was incredibly close with Andrew but it was Frank who took his first ever supernova open race win. Frank's celebration was of Olympic gold proportions and they may have heard it in Bolton. Apparently, he’s now going to retire, as it can’t get any better!

Race 3 saw Snell and Young fighting for the lead and the overall title, with Snell getting the better on the second beat. Behind there was a lot of place changes as the small gusts came and went. In the end Snell took line from Young. Milliner 3rd just pipped Hawley on the line pushing him down to 5th in the over all rankings. There was a bit of a wait for the fleet as the wind died, leaving a few nervous sailors marooned just before crossing the line, but In the end everyone made it home in time for tea and cakes.

So Andrew took the overall win, Gavin second then Cliff, Mike and Steve. Frank was 7th overall (behind class chairman Chris Hawley in 6th) beating current national champion Alex Horlock. Ellen was first lady in 15th overall.

Overall Results: