Supernova National Championships 2024 at Plas Heli - Day 2
by Chris Hawley 29 Jun 17:16 UTC
28-30 June 2024
Supernova Nationals 2024 at Plas Heli Day 2 © Boodogphotograhy
End of June in Wales equals perfect sunny conditions for the Supernova nationals? Sadly that wasn't the case and the fleet had to contend with a day of drizzle / rain and surprisingly cold conditions.
Thankfully the wind and waves had tempered from the previous day, but still bigger than expected. Races 1 to 3 were held in 12 - 18 knots, dropping to around 10 knots for race 4. Waves were tricky upwind and technique was critical to getting good results, downwind still allowed great surfing.
Race 1 saw Steve Hawley, Sam Knight and Mark Hartley put early through the gate banging the left hand corner. From further down the line Sean Ricketts found a clear channel and was in the lead at the windward mark. Sean looked to be doing a 'horizon job' up the second beat, but was reeled in by Mark Hartley and Sam Knight on the final leg to the finish, taking line honours.
In race 2 it was turn of pathfinder Steve Hawley to be first to the windward. A lead he nearly held on to for the whole race, but Sam Knight's phonemenal downwind speed carried him through to take the win, Eden Hyland in third.
Mike Critchley was pathfinder in race 3 and again it favoured to start a bit later with the wind coming in from the right hand side of the course. Cliff Milliner spotted the breeze and took full advantage to get to the front and take his first win of the Championships. Alex Hagen Collins in second and Sam Knight 3rd.
Gavin Young was pathfinder in the last race but in a reversal to the previous 2 races it very much paid to go early. Gavin did well to recover and scored a good result in fourth. At the front Hartley Boats' Eden Hyland was clearly out to prove a point and took the win - amazingly his first Supernova nationals race win. Sam Knight second and Cliff Milliner third.
Other names in the mix all day were Peter Mackin, Iain Wilson, James Gerwat and Hugo Hansen.
There were some great battles and some special individual performances. Special mention to Clive Brown from Bolton who had a great day and mastered the waves to be in the mix in several of the races.
Results after Day 2: (top five)
Sam Knight
Eden Hyland
Cliff Milliner
Gavin Young
Alex Hagen Collins
Gold fleet leader - Peter Mackin
Silver fleet leader - James Gerwat
Bronze fleet leader - Martin Smith
It's offshore tomorrow, but the forecasts are showing a nasty chop. It's still anyone's to play for, particularly as the discards come in to play...