Craftinsure Supernova Open at Girton Sailing Club
by Peter Mason 17 Jul 04:08 PDT
16 July 2023
Girton Supernova Open © Steve Johnson
Gusty Girton lived up to its name when 18 Supernovas arrived for their annual Craftinsure open meeting. The competitors from as far apart as Cotswold and Winsford were greeted by force 4 gusting 6 wind diagonally across the lake.
Race officer Sam Mason and his team laid a course using most of the lake and the well behaved fleet was away at the first time of asking. It soon became apparent that gust response was going to be pivotal and Gavin Young (Cotswold) and Steve Hawley (Bartley) demonstrated absolute mastery of the conditions by pulling away from the rest of the fleet and having a close tactical battle throughout the race. Marcus Shaw (Girton) occupied 3rd spot and kept well in front of the rapidly depleting fleet as the size of the gusts increased. At the gun Young took honours from Hawley and Shaw.
Race 2 took place after lunch with a reduced fleet of 12 boats coming to the line. After a change of course, a wind shift and reverting to the morning course and under threatening skies. the fleet got away. Hawley and Young were again in a class apart this time threatened by Alan Bishop (Girton). Hawley and Young again had a close tactical race this time going in Hawley's favour when a major shifting gust on the run caused Young to capsize. At the Finish it was Hawley, Young and Bishop but to the fleets credit the same number of finishers as starters.
Race 3 was sailed back to back in much lighter winds but the threat of rain. The usual pattern occurred this time with Steve Bishop (Hunts) occupying 3rd place By the end of lap 1 the rain was torrential with rain bouncing off the lake surface. Undeterred the fleet continued with Hawley taking line honours from Young and with it the meeting with Steve Bishop 3rd.
Overall Results: (top three)
1st Steve Hawley (Bartley)
2nd Gavin Young (Cotswold)
3rd Alan Bishop (Girton) 1st Mk1