Oxford Carriers Supernova Winter Championship at Bowmoor Sailing Club

Supernova Winter Championship at Bowmoor © Chris Hawley

The 2019 season started is off to a strong start with the Oxford Carriers Supernova Winter Championship at Bowmoor Sailing Club on Saturday 23rd February. Despite the foggy start to the day 36 keen Supernova sailors travelled to Bowmoor to test what they had learnt over the winter.

Before racing was due to commence the thick fog had lifted and we had a beautiful sunny day which felt more like mid-summer than February.

Race 1: A port biased line created a scramble at the pin end, resulting in a general recall. At the second attempt Sansom won the pin and the boats that tack early onto port made the most gains in the light wind. Sansom held his lead throughout, with the chasing pack swapping positions as the small gusts and shifts came down the course. In the end Sansom took the win, from Milliner and then Biggs.

Supernova Winter Championship at Bowmoor - photo © Chris Hawley

The Race Officer took us in for an early lunch (which was great!) waiting for the breeze to fill in.

Race 2: A slightly more consistent but still light wind. Milliner and Biggs pulled away from the chasing pack in their own battle, while behind Gibson, Sansom and Workman battled for 3rd. Biggs showed slightly more upwind speed to creep into the lead at the final top mark, then held on to take the win form Milliner and Gibson.

Race 3: With three sailors on 4 points the last race was all to play for. As the wind shifted 90deg to the right it took a while to set the course, but at the start Sansom from the port end again pulled into a big left shift with Biggs, Gibson and Young to lead at the first mark. Sansom slowly pulled away, with Gibson, Young and Milliner fighting back. At the last mark the wind died and they all closed within a few meters. Milliner split from the pack and looked to be crossing Sansom for a last gasp win, but it wasn't to be. Sansom held on for the win and Winter Champs tittle, followed by Gibson, Young.

A huge thank you to our sponsors Oxford Carriers for supporting the event and providing some brilliant prizes as well as to the whole duty crew at Bowmoor for putting on a great championship in very tricky conditions.

Overall Results:

1st Lady Ellen Clancy
1st Silver Tom Chadfield (1st Veteran)
1st Bronze Stuart Hall