2022 Supernova National Championship at Plas Heli Welsh National Sailing Academy

Supernova Nationals 2022 at Plas Heli, Pwllheli © Peter Mackin / www.pdmphoto.co.uk

The forecast looked big, the venue one of the best that the country has to offer, the entry was over 100 boats: the Supernova Nationals had all the ingredients to be an all-time classic.

July 1st saw the Supernova Fleet congregate on the Llyn Peninsula for their three day nationals, a full race programme alongside a packed social calendar, a very welcome return after a two year absence.

The event started with an informal rules chat by guru Cliff Milliner with the intention being that racers throughout the fleet would have a greater understanding of how to deal with the inevitable bottleneck complications around the race track. Tactics, communicating and being fair - the message was clear - let's self-police, 'do your turns' or go to Arbitration if you feel you've been wronged. As a fleet we can only improve the standard if we learn from the process.

Supernova Nationals 2022 at Plas Heli, Pwllheli - photo © Peter Mackin / www.pdmphoto.co.uk

A short briefing on Friday morning and we were off out into the relative unknown - a storm was on the way, the arrival time was in doubt. Winter layers were the order, knowing the conditions were only going to build.

Mark Platt (Bolton SC) was the Pathfinder, 82 boats caressing his transom as he crossed the fleet, the first of many beats into the Westerly 15-20mph and increasing breeze. If upwind was tough, it was the complex wave irregularity on the runs that was the greater threat to the fleet's survival. The Supernova is a stable boat, but when they go, they go!!

At the front, the Gold fleet were stretching away, Sam Knight (Bartley SC) leading the way for both of the first two Trapezoid races of the event. His two bullet salvo was a dominant start to the regatta, leaving experienced sailors in his wake despite his relatively slight frame in the strengthening breeze.

Supernova Nationals 2022 at Plas Heli, Pwllheli - photo © Peter Mackin / www.pdmphoto.co.uk

In the window between races 2 & 3, the tired fleet were in a bit of state. Capsizes were taking their toll, the rescue crews were stretched, the decision was rightly made to get the fleet ashore to recover, knowing another big day was on the cards for day two.

Sam was clearly lead Gold, Jonny Everett (Llandegfedd SC) in the Silver lead, Rob Bell (Emberton Park SC) was leading the Mark Ones. Bronze at this stage was impossible to tell as the Class calculate that position at the end of the regatta to ensure a genuine Bronzer takes the crown.

Supernova Nationals 2022 at Plas Heli, Pwllheli - photo © Peter Mackin / www.pdmphoto.co.uk

One to watch if the downwind technique could be mastered was Sean Ricketts (Bartley SC) - always 'there' at the windward mark, Sean's downfall was getting to the leeward gates with a dry mast!

Friday night heralded the storm, 45 mph gusts battering the coastline, whipping up a maelstrom of waves. A slightly smaller fleet launched on the Saturday morning, hoping for shorter beats and subsequent shorter race lengths. We weren't disappointed. The beats were manageable, the runs tricky but survivable; as good as it gets for many. Matt Thursfield (Chelmarsh SC) rose to the front through Saturday with two race wins, the more defined wave pattern making it easier to catch the waves and surf downwind. Eden Hyland (Chase SC) consolidated his two thirds on day one with a race victory, just pipping Steve Hawley (Bartley SC) across the line. Sam also took another race win.

Supernova Nationals 2022 at Plas Heli, Pwllheli - photo © Peter Mackin / www.pdmphoto.co.uk

After 4 races, it was a good shout by the Race Team to call it a day. I'm sure a few could've got a fifth under way, but looking at the weathered faces at the tally board, it was clear the correct call had been made.

So at the very sharp end, Sam Knight and Matt Thursfield were on equal points, Sam ahead on count back. Eden Hyland with his race win was in touch but knew he'd have to have an amazing last day to climb onto the top step.

Who else had risen as the waves had built?? Cliff Milliner (Cotswold SC) had a line of thirds, always there, clearly in earshot of the first place gun, just not for him. Gavin Young (Cotswold SC) followed Cliff in most of those Saturday races with a consistent set of 4ths. Will Gifford (another Cotswold SC) was the king of the second beats, always gaining places with great reading of the flicking breeze. This put Will in a position where he was going for lead silver in the event. Ian Wilson (Bolton SC) had also cemented his place in the top ten, with the added bonus of taking the Master's trophy destiny into his own hands. Top veteran at this stage was Ian Howett (Haversham SC) hanging onto the coat tails of the leading pack.

Supernova Nationals 2022 at Plas Heli, Pwllheli - photo © Peter Mackin / www.pdmphoto.co.uk

The Mark One leaderboard had Rob Bell well ahead, but it was close tussle between Philip Hind, Stephen Blair and Philip North showing that there is plenty of life in the earlier built boats.

So going into the Sunday, it was almost a one day shootout. A change in wind direction meant beating into the shore, a less defined wave system, larger shifts likely and a shorter race track. Oh and the forecast had a weakening breeze around midday.

Matt showed his colours early, taking the first race, the overall lead of the regatta was his. Sam was in trouble, had to go wide on a recovery run, coming from 10th to 2nd on the last downwind.

Race 8, Jonny Everett, (yep, 'silver' Jonny Everett) got away on the first beat and took line honours after an epic final mark battle with Sam, to put so many of the trophies on the line.

Jonny had wrestled Silver into his grasp, the Masters was within reach of his outstretched fingertips, Sam had put the whole event on a knife-edge climbing back to equal points with Matt.

One final race, Sam needed a result, the wind had started to lessen and swing to the NW, the shifts were becoming more extreme. First beat, both Matt and Sam were having 'discard' races, Eden H and Steve Hawley sailing away from the fleet. Yet again Sam was lightning fast offwind, climbing up to 3rd, just unable to close the gap on the leaders.

Both Sam and Matt thought the other had won; both congratulating each other at the finish line. It was time for Sailwave to do its work.

Supernova Nationals 2022 at Plas Heli, Pwllheli - photo © Peter Mackin / www.pdmphoto.co.uk

Jonny had had a bit of a 'mare, unable to stop Ian Wilson from winning the Masters, but with Will Gifford also having a 'discard' in the last race, it left Jonny to take Silver, both comfortably in the top ten.

Lead veteran remained Ian Howett after a consistent set of results coming in tenth overall, Mark Platt his nearest threat in 15th.

Bronze was taken by Stuart Stephen (Bartley SC) just three places ahead of Philip North (Notts County SC), Frank Lafferty (Winsford Flash) in third.

Sean Ricketts was lead Youth, confirming his Gold Fleet Status in 13th place.

Serena Stewardson (Emberton Park) had a really consistent set of results to take the lead female sailor from Karen Squire (Carsington SC).

It was all down to Appendix A8 to determine the winner of the 2022 Nationals. Both Matt & Sam had three race wins. It was Matt with three 2nds to Sam's two which meant it was his name on the trophy.

Matt Thursfield wins the Supernova Nationals 2022 at Plas Heli, Pwllheli - photo © Peter Mackin / www.pdmphoto.co.uk

So many thanks for the organisation of the event were expressed by Iain Barlow (Class Chair) to the teams of people who had made the Nationals such a success, as well as the sponsors for the event - Craftinsure and Hartley Boats - It was for Matt to ensure that the class acknowledged the tireless work from Iain in coordinating those teams to deliver an outstanding Championships.

A huge folder of amazing images can be found at www.pdmphoto.co.uk/2022-Supernova-Nationals

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Supernova nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here