Noble Marine Supernova Travellers at Girton Sailing Club

Considering the very wet weather forecast, the turnout of thirteen boats at the Noble Marine Traveller Series event at Girton Sailing Club on Saturday 27th July, including eight visitors, was as good as could be expected. The breeze was a shifty 10-18 mph North Westerly, broken up by the islands and bank tree cover familiar to the pot sailors in the fleet.

Race Officer Alan Bishop, an accomplished Solo Traveller himself, set a good course taking advantage of the available wind and everyone got away cleanly for the first. The line bias was even, so it was negotiating the shifts that paid at the top mark, Paul Undrell led the way from Girton sailor Tony Bleasdale and Dana Church close behind. Garry Butterfield was sailing fast but not always in the right direction.

The drizzle turned into steady rain soaking the competitors and officials relentlessly. Paul and Tony managed to break away and duelled for the whole race, changing the lead several times around the course. The RO shortened the course at the right time with Tony just sneaking through on the last beat to take the line from, Paul in a very close second, Dana lead the rest to take third, then Garry in fourth.

After the welcome Girton SC lunch and a change of sailing clothes for those who had it, the sailors went back out into a still shifty and strengthening breeze; thankfully the rain had abated for now.

Race 2 saw Eddie Johnson leading the fleet in his new Mk2, with Garry chasing in second and Tony Bleasdale close behind. At the first run Eddie found the new boat learning curve too steep and a break away duel ensued between Garry and Tony. Garry reeled Tony in on the final run making up 40 metres by choosing the right side and then held on to take the win with Tony in second. Marcus Shaw from Girton SC had broken through in mk1 706 borrowed from Eddie Johnson to take third.

So, the third race was to be the decider, with the breeze holding up whilst the drizzle had started up again. The wind direction had swung, creating a good slice of port bias at the gun, and one or two tried a port flyer! This time Garry, Dana and Paul got away cleanly, with Tony buried in the fleet. The three leaders broke away and had their own race with many place changes on the way. The rest of the fleet were close to reeling them in on the last lap, but the trio found pressure and blasted away once more with Garry making the best of it to take the final bullet, Dana pulling through second holding off Paul in third. The rain had increased again by the time the fleet finished.

The next Supernova event will be the Inland Championships which will be held at Northampton SC on the 7th & 8th September.

Overall Results: