Craftinsure Supernova Open at Cotswold Sailing Club

Craftinsure Cotswold SC Supernova Open © Imi Milliner

A good turnout of 22 Supernovas for the combined Craft Insure Cotswold SC Open and Spring Championship.

A new format of three back-to-back races due to Covid went down well with the weather gods playing ball with everything from a cold rainy 20knts to balmy sunny 8knts with lots of shifts as the clouds came and went.

First to the windward mark in race 1 was Cotswold newcomer Will Gifford, followed by Cliff Milliner, Steve Hawley and Gavin Young. Milliner got passed Gifford on the run and gave then a tight cover upwind. These 2 pulled away for the 1,2 with Hawley having a good tussle with Young for 3rd.

In race 2 Gifford led at the windward mark again showing good height and speed, followed closely for the first 2 laps by Young, Hawley, Reeve and Milliner. The shifts and gusts gave lots of passing opportunities up and downwind. In the end Milliner pulled into the lead from Hawley, with Young in 3rd.

A course change with more reaches and gybes was set for race 3 as the wind strengthened, with stronger gusts catching a lot of the fleet out for a swim at some point. Hawley lead at the first mark, with Matt Williams, Young and Gifford following closely. Milliner pulled through downwind and extended into a big lead as Williams then Young capsized to let Hawley have a secure 2nd with Gifford taking 3rd.

The Race Officer did a great job of turning the races around quickly and as the fleet came ashore they were greeted with hot soup and the plenty of cake for the prize-giving.

Overall Results: