Craftinsure Supernova Traveller Series at Bolton Sailing Club

Bolton Supernova Open © Andrew Craig

Bolton Sailing Club welcomed the Supernova Class for the latest round of the Craftinsure Traveller Series on Saturday 27th April. Conditions high on the spectacular moors above the town were good, with sunshine occasionally breaking out through the generally overcast sky. The north-easterly breeze was a moderate 7-10 knots that increased slightly as the day progressed.

Race officer Mark Platt set three different courses to challenge the 23 competitors. Bolton has one of largest Supernova fleets in the UK, and the 15 local boats were joined by eight travellers from across the country.

Bolton Supernova Open - photo © Andrew Craig

Class legend Gavin Young from Cotswold sailing club came flying out of the traps in the first race, leading from start to finish. Fellow Cotswold sailor Alex Reeve was hot on his heels, keeping him under pressure throughout. Local titans Andy Flitcroft, Mike Critchley and Tony Critchley completed the rest of the top 5. Further back in the fleet Chris Aubrey sailed well in his Mark 1, showing how competitive these older boats remain - in the right hands! The sailors came ashore to enjoy a fantastic pie and pea lunch.

Bolton Supernova Open - photo © Andrew Craig

Race Two was more of the same, with Gavin Young again leading throughout. Tony Critchley fought off Alex Reeve to take second and third respectively. A crowded committee-boat end caught out a few sailors as a pin-end start paid dividends. A few of the more experienced sailors found themselves having to fight their way through the rest of the fleet. Bolton's Matt Watkiss made the most of a great start in his new boat to take a notable 6th.

Bolton Supernova Open - photo © Andrew Craig

In the third race, a wind shift forced the race officer to move the start line down the reservoir. This enabled a longer first beat, as the wind started to fill in. After a general recall, Bolton's Corin Bamford led at the first mark. He held onto his lead commendably for most of the race, before the experience of Andy Flitcroft and Gavin Young won out late in the final lap. A frustrated Corin slipped further back into 5th, as Alex Reeve and Mike Critchley passed him on the final beat to the finish.

It was a fantastic event, as ever, enabled by a large team of enthusiastic volunteers from the host club. Close racing, and a large, talented fleet meant that poor starts and mistakes were punished. Those further back in the fleet can't go far wrong to watch and learn from the eventual winner Gavin Young, who performed consistently well throughout the day. Andy Flitcroft's win in the final race ensured he pipped Alex Reeve for second.

Bolton Supernova Open - photo © Andrew Craig

The Class Association thank Bolton for hosting and to the competitors for supporting this fantastic event.

Overall Results: