Supernova open meeting at Chelmarsh Sailing Club

A real benefit of Class membership is free training - Supernova open meeting at Chelmarsh © David Thursfield

In bright early April sunshine, a 5 to 12 knot breeze settled in from the East across our 110 acre reservoir, located in the heart of South Shropshire greeting the 19 entrants from all around the UK, including Bolton, Pembrokeshire, and Humberside, thirteen of whom had been participants in a training day hosted by Matt Thursfield at his home club.

Race 1 saw the fleet very much split as to whether to bang right or left up the first beat. One side was going to pay, the other not - the fluctuating breeze was going to determine who got it right. Mike Gibson 1257, Chris Hawley 1333, (both Bartley) and Martin Smith 1329 (Chelmarsh) all nailed it meaning they were first to tackle the short yet tactical run.

Duncan Cheshire claimed the first gust and subsequently mark room, squeezing the leaders out. But that meant he was the guinea pig as to how to tackle the next beat. The rest learnt not to go left and sailed around poor Duncan.

Gavin Young 1358 (Cotswold) and Corin Bamford 1125 (Bolton) now had the lead followed by Mike Critchley 1356 (Bolton) and Steve Woodhouse 1286 (Chelmarsh). It really was snakes and ladders.

Gavin picked out the shifts which Corin then matched - they built a huge lead over the remainder of the fleet leaving Steve W to crush Mike and send him down the order, to then find himself on the wrong side of a lift on the final beat, to slip to 6th.

Finishing positions were Gavin then Corin, with Josh Beardshaw 1210 (Redditch) claiming the last podium place catching that last beat just right.

Race 2 saw Andrew Goodman Smith 1272 (Attenborough) leading Corin and Mike Gibson (Bartley) from the boat end of the line. Matt Thursfield a pin end starter was early to tack and crossed the fleet on port, lifting all the way up to the windward mark, he was followed by Mike C and Gavin and Duncan. Martin Smith created a moving hazard as the shifty breeze at the dam confuddled his approach.

By 20 minutes in, Matt had developed a 100 yard lead from Mike C, but that was swallowed by a double digit shift putting them neck and neck before a gybing duel down the run, hunting those precious gusts. With 10 mins or so left in the race, the fleet had split into three distinct groups, the second led by Chris H and Corin, the third by Steve and Martin.

Genuinely super close racing within each group was to be had. Ninth place was being fought over as if a medal was hanging on it!

As the leaders approached the finish it was Mike C covering Matt loosely up the final beat knowing that just being in the same wind guaranteed the result he needed. Behind them it was Gavin, Duncan, Mike G. and Jeremy Higson (Bartley).

Boat bimbling in the Shropshire sunshine - Supernova open meeting at Chelmarsh - photo © David Thursfield

A fabulous lunch followed the morning's racing, the sailors sharing tales of lifts, backers and micro-doldrums! Going back out, any of five sailors had the open in their own hands, a race win would mean it was theirs. Gavin, Josh, Mike C, Matt and Corin. That's rare these days.

Race 3 saw the white sailed Chris Hawley and Matt tacking out to take the right side of the beat, Matt arriving at the first mark with a clear lead. Behind him a 'flotilla' of boats assembled, the port arrivals engaging in 'synchronised tacking' pushing all away from the mark, leaving room for only half a boat to pass. Mike C and David Bibby 1297 (Chelmarsh) slithered their way through a gap that was never supposed to be there, Dave was on course to have his best race of the day.

Windshifts now dominated tactics as the breeze became more fickle - Matt's lead had built, Mike C had all but guaranteed second, third place was anyone's! Serious and close duels were being fought behind; Mike G. vs Corin, Chris vs Gavin and Duncan vs Josh. "Mark room for 7" says it all!

The finishing order was Matt, 30 secs ahead of Mike C, 1m15 secs ahead of Mike G, Corin, Chris and Gavin, who were bunched within a few seconds of each other.

So once the travellers had their boats packed away, it was down to Chelmarsh Supernova Fleet Captain David Bibby to draw to a close the weekend. He praised all our club volunteers who had made the event such a success and awarded prizes on merit.

Matt Thursfield took the win on the last race result from Mike Critchley, Gavin Young taking third with Corin Bamford fourth, Mike Gibson rounding out the top five.

We go again at Bolton SC on Saturday 26th April - details at www.supernovadinghy.org

Overall Results: