Noble Marine Supernova Travellers at Girton Sailing Club

Noble Marine Traveller Series for Supernovas at Girton © Steve Johnson

It was a respectable turnout of 16 boats at the Noble Marine Traveller Series event at Girton SC, including nine visitors.

Competitors were greeted by early sunshine and modest 10 gusting 20 knots of breeze, from the West South West, which meant gusty and challenging conditions at Girton due to the impact of the trees on the bank when the wind comes from that direction.

RO Sam Mason set a good course, given the wind, starting from the lake in front of the clubhouse but had to abandon an early start due to the fleets difficulty getting into the main lake and in order to rest the line bias for the shifting conditions.

There followed a general recall of the next start as many of the competitors pushed their luck from the starboard end.

Everyone got away cleanly for the first race restart, with the port end favouring Marcus Shaw who led to the windward mark. Tony Bleasdale took the front at the first leeward mark and held on for two laps vying for lead with Gavin Young, who finally got past and broke away with three legs to go to the finish. Eddie Johnson reeled Tony in and took second place on the line.

Noble Marine Traveller Series for Supernovas at Girton - photo © Steve Johnson

After a break for a picnic lunch in the sunshine, the sailors went back out into a steady breeze for the afternoon's two back-to-back races.

Race 2 saw Gavin Young from Cotswold SC first to the windward mark of a repositioned start line giving a cleaner beat up the main lake. In hot pursuit were fellow Cotswold sailor Paul Undrell and local Streaker sailor Paul Jago in a borrowed Mark 1. Jonti Mason from Hykeham SC and Dana Church from Nottingham SC leading the pack behind.

There was some close racing in the shifty conditions and when Gavin sailed into a dead patch with a few legs to go Paul Undrell took the lead and held on for the win; Gavin second and Paul Jago came in third.

The third and final race saw Cotswold duo Gavin and Paul Undrell, now fully at home with the Girton shifts and wind bends leading from the outset with Ed Johnson from Girton SC breaking away with them.

There were many changes of place in the following fleet with Tony Bleasdale eventually leading the pack in pursuit of the leaders.

Gavin sailed confidently at home to take line honours and the overall win. Ed Johnson fought well to take second from Paul Undrell in third.

Overall Results:

First Mk1: Paul Jago
First Lady: Amie King

Noble Marine Traveller Series for Supernovas at Girton - photo © Steve Johnson