The first and third pursuit races were run on standard PY handicap, the second on personal handicap. Prizes were presented by the Mayor of Bolton with the winners prize going to Ian Platt and Alex Pilkington sailing a Merlin Rocket.

Whilst racing proceeded on the water, the Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton were entertained in the lounge by the Commodore and many of the clubs senior and life members while juniors had their faces painted. Hopefully a thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all. Thanks to the OOD and other volunteers.

Photos are available on Richard’s gallery at http://www.sailpics.co.uk/g2/v/regattaday_2008

This year, the team consisted of Ruth Shevelan, Tom Robinson, Alex Pilkington, Nathan Waring and Rachel Moodie. As well as 4th overall, the tream picked up a few other trophies, including 1st under 18 team and also Ruth picked up the trophy for winning the ladies race!

Well done those who took part and big thanks to Dennis for lending the team ‘Doctors Orders’.

Photos and video will be available soon.

Updates:

Dennis has put lots of photos of the day on his gallery at http://picasaweb.google.com/ShevPix/2008_12hr

Richard has added photos to his gallery at http://www.sailpics.co.uk/g2/v/2008_12hr/

If you don’t know where Southport SC is, you can find a Google map at http://tinyurl.com/56zf4c

Three races are scheduled with a briefing at 10.30 with the first race starting at 11.00. Two races to count.

Food will be provided once again by the “Officers Mess”, with great prizes up for grabs for Youth, Junior and Optimists, age related, first double-hander and the club who bring the most travellers.

For more details about NWJTT please see their website

http://gallery.sail.org.uk/v/2008/mr2008/

If you would like to be added to the distribution list, just contact the Regional Secretary at

 jgraham.knox “at” virgin.net

This month’s highlights include;

·         Elliott Hansen takes Topper Inlands

·         West Zone take the Dinghy classes in Twinames

·         Fourth 2008 NW Junior Travellers event at Budworth

·         Team Racing- Americans take Wilson Trophy at W Kirby

·         Regional Development – Instructor courses for Dinghy Sailing and Windsurfing

·         Junior Single-handed event, Bolton, October

·         Windsurfing- Team 15 interclub dates

·         Environment-advice on  RYA TV

·         Building Advice for Clubs and Centres

·         Powerboat Racing - RYA  Honda Youth RIB preview

·         Windermere on Water, Open Sailing Regatta

·         Yachting- Liverpool YC return home

·         Environment- new face joins The Green Blue team

·         Yachting-  join the Volvo Keelboat Squad

·         RYA Publications- new books in May

JUNIOR RACING

NW sailors takes Topper Inlands and 4.2’s titles

Elliott Hanson from Redesmere SC, has taken the Magic Marine Topper Inlands, at Grafham Water on May 3/ 4. Elliott put together a great string of results including  four 1sts. and a 2nd. The Inlands was a major Championship, with 240 boats in the main fleet, plus 4.2 rig and Regatta fleets making up another 36 sailors. Another NW sailor, Andrew Dawson from Winsford Flash, took third overall in the main fleet.

A second NW sailor took a title at that meeting, when Lucy Yeates (Leigh & Lowton SC) won the 4.2 Nationals.

JUNIOR RACING

West Zone top dinghy classes at RYA Eric Twiname Championships

The North Zone took the overall title the 2008 RYA Eric Twiname Championships on Sunday 11 May, helped by their victory in the windsurfing classes. However it was West Zone who won the dinghy classes overall, helped by a one two in the Mirror class.

More than 330 sailors – all aged between eight and 15 - in some 270 boats took to the water in the contest for the coveted Eric Twiname Shield.

Taking place alongside the battle of the Zones was the first part of the selection process for the Laser 4.7 National Junior Squad. Last year’s Eric Twiname Topper champion Andrew Dawson (Winsford Flash) took second behind David Grant (Restronguet).

RYA Junior Racing Manager, Duncan Truswell, said: “Everyone really made the most of the breeze we had today and we were delighted to get some high-quality racing in. The sailors deserve a lot of credit for their constant enthusiasm and energy.”

Results:

Overall winners of the Eric Twiname Shield: North Zone

Mirror class:

1) Harry Yeoward / Nicholas Elsdon (Rhosneigr) (West)
2) Nicky Haigh / Will Nickson (Royal Windermere) (West)
 Winning Zone: West

Dinghy overall winning Zone: West

Windsurfing overall winning Zone: North

Laser 4.7 indicator results:

2) Andrew Dawson (Winsford Flash)

JUNIOR & YOUTH RACING

RYA North-West Junior Travellers at Budworth

On Monday 5th May Budworth hosted the 4th event in 2008 RYA junior Travellers series, sponsored by local chandlery 1st Mark, which attracted 42 entries with strong support arriving from local clubs Redesmere, Leigh & Lowton SC, Wigan, Dee and Winsford Flash SC. Racing for the series is being held in three flights this year, youth handicap, junior handicap and Optimist.

After an excellent sailing weekend the wind deserted Budworth and the OOD team ran a fun race to keep the eager competitors occupied. They seemed to enjoy this, perhaps more than proper racing! By early afternoon a  fickle easterly breeze appeared and racing began and competitors were sent on a simple triangular course. Lasers performed well in these conditions compared to Toppers, Mirrors and the solitary 420. In the newly introduced Youth Fleet (u19) Liam Reece took bullets in both races and was followed by Pete Mitchell. In the junior handicap fleet Laura Barnes won the first race and Sam Hall the second. James Asquith was rewarded with some excellent sailing in his Topper with two second places and was followed by Rachel Wilcock and James Bennett.

The Optimist fleet of 14 enjoyed its best turnout for several years. Racing was fast and furious and dominated by the Tom and Alex Joesbury , Jamie Catchpole and Bobby Hewitt. Hannah Bristow in 5th was the leading girl.

Next stop for this very popular and friendly series  is at Leigh & Lowton on 17th May.

Overall Results:

Youth Handicap
1st Laser 136069 Liam Reece (Wigan SC)
2nd Laser Radial 182474 Pete Mitchell (Winsford SC)
3rd Laser Radial 192016 Tom Keegan (Leigh & Lowton SC)

Junior Handicap “Blakes Marine Paints Trophy”
1st Laser Radial 188274 Sam Hall (Bassenthwaite SC)
2nd Topper 46272 James Asquith (Redesmere SC)
3rd Topper 44788 Rachel Wilcock (Budworth SC)
 

Optimist “The Crompton Shield”
1st 5642 Tom Joesbury (Budworth SC)
2nd 5271 Jamie Catchpole (Leigh & Lowton SC)
3rd Bobby Hewitt (Leigh & Lowton SC)

TEAM RACING

Glorious weekend of team racing on West Kirby’s marine lake

American team ‘Silver Panda’ this weekend won the 59th Wilson Trophy, hosted by West Kirby Sailing Club, Wirral. Sailing in an all-American final against ‘Larchmont YC’, ‘Silver Panda’ won the world’s premier Team Racing sailing event with three straight wins in a best of five final. With hundreds of spectators watching from the grandstand beside the Marine Lake in glorious sunshine, West Kirby SC once more put on a superb event, with over 200 races completed with military precision over two days.

32 teams, including teams from the USA, Canada and Ireland as well as all over Great Britain competed for the 59th Wilson Trophy, the world’s premier Team Racing sailing event. The competition, known as the British Open Team Racing Championships, has long attracted the best team racing teams in the world to travel hundreds of miles to compete.

Two very tight semi finals saw two home West Kirby teams, the ‘West Kirby HAWKS’ and ‘West Kirby SC’ competing against the two eventual finalists. With each semi final going to three races, in a best of three race series, the true calibre of the teams racing at the Wilson Trophy was on show for all to see.

The annual event, which first took place in 1947 is sailed in two-man Firefly dinghies, provided by West Kirby Sailing Club. The boats, which are matched trios of colour-coded dinghies, make spectating from the grandstand beside the Marine Lake easy, with expert commentary provided. Each of the boats are kindly sponsored by several locally-based companies, such as Buckley Industrial, as well as global companies such as Carlsberg and Musto. After a round robin in which all of the teams raced against one another, the weekend culminated in the top eight teams taking part in the quarter finals, with winners going through to semis, followed by finals. The identical boats, sails and equipment make team racing a true test of the sailors’ skills. Team racing has been likened to playing chess on the water, with crews using tactics and the rules of sailing to gain advantage over the opposing team.

Next year, the 60th annual Wilson Trophy will be hosted by West Kirby Sailing Club. The committee plans to run a three day celebratory event over the May Day Bank holiday weekend.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Instructor Courses

Dinghy Sailing

·            Dinghy Instructors Course @ Waterpark , Cumbria

August 18^th – 22^nd 2008

Contact 01229 885456

·            Advanced Dinghy Instructors Course @ Hollingworth

May 31st / 1^st June, cost £85

Contact Sally

Windsurfing

·         Start Windsurf Instructor Course @ Hollingworth Lake WAC

May 24-26^th

Contact 01706 370499

·         Windsurf Senior Instructor Course @ Salford Watersports

July 12/13^th & 26/27^th

Contact Sally

If anyone needs any other RYA Instructor courses / Endorsements please contact me so that I can know the demand and organize courses accordingly

Any Club or Centre wishing to run an Instructor course in any discipline please contact me to check that it is ok and supply dates / venue and details of the Coach or Trainer running the course.

Sally Kilpatrick

RYA Development Officer NorthWest

(  Mobile: 07747 534527

E-mail: sally.kilpatrick “at” rya.org.uk

JUNIOR RACING

JUNIOR SINGLE-HANDED EVENT 2008

This year’s Junior Singlehanded Event will be held at Bolton SC, on Saturday, 11^th October.

WINDSURFING

Team 15 Windsurfing

2008 Team 15 Inter-club Events:-

7^th June – Hollingworth Water Activities Centre Nr Rochdale

28^th June – Wirral Sailing Centre, West Kirby

19^th July – Astbury, Nr Congleton

6^th Sept – Manley, Nr Chester

ENVIRONMENT

RYA TV INVESTIGATES FACILITIES TO TACKLE ANTIFOULING AND RECYCLING ISSUES

Part of the enjoyment of getting out on the water is the natural beauty of the sea, so ensuring we don’t damage this environment is close to the heart for many boaters.  Two key environmental concerns that seem to be bugging boat owners most are; the use of antifouling and the lack of comprehensive recycling facilities shore side.  So, the latest episode of RYA TV sets out to discover what facilities are being developed to tackle these issues.

We hear from record breaking yachtswoman Dee Cafarri - who is not afraid to speak out on environmental issues - about her experiences of sailing in areas of unspoilt beauty and her support, as an ambassador, for the RYA and BMF’s environmental programme The Green Blue.   

Green Blue project manager Sarah Black introduces the work of the Green Blue programme and its efforts to provide sound environmental advice to leisure boaters to help them make the right choices and become more environmentally friendly. 

Sarah also talks us through the environmental impact of antifouling and how we can minimise its effects and stop it seeping back in to the water and with most antifouling taking place in marinas, it is encouraging to see big hitters MDL Marina’s looking at ways to reduce the impact of antifouling.  MDL marinas managing director Jon Eads speaks to RYA TV about the new close loop system they are trialling to contain run off and clean up within marinas.  Hear from RYA TV how the system actually works.

We also get an insight in to the new recycling programme ‘Get on board and recycle’ being trialled by the River Hamble Harbour Authority.  Alison Crang, Assistant Harbour Master (Environment) in Hamble, talks us through this new initiative for recreational and leisure craft users from across the boating community. 

Produced in partnership with online TV channel Yachting TV, RYA TV is available to view through www.rya.org.uk and at www.yachtingtv.co.uk. 

Direct link;   http://www.yachtingtv.co.uk/new_archive.htm

BUILDING ADVICE FOR CLUBS AND CENTRES

RYA Planning and Environment Handbook

The RYA Planning and Environmental Handbook has just been produced to help RYA affiliated clubs and recognised training centres in running their facilities and when they embark on a building or development project of any sort.

The Handbook is divided into two main Sections. The first focuses on facilities development and sets out what permissions and consents you are likely to require when developing facilities and gives advice on how to go about applying for them. The second section of the Handbook looks at facility operation in terms of environmental management. It identifies the legal duties a facility has and provides suggestions for achieving legal compliance as well as providing good practice where important cost savings can also be made.

 Download your copy from www.rya.org.uk/WorkingWithUs/clubs/premises/PE_Handbook.htm

The Handbook gives info about water separation tanks within the section on environmental management, go to chapter 7.

POWERBOAT RACING

2008 Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship

The Honda RYA Youth Rib Championship 2008 sponsored by Honda, Ribcraft, Icom and Indespension Trailers is a National Championship in which 8 - 16 year old Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) drivers, can demonstrate their skills with the goal of winning a 4.8m Ribcraft RIB with a Honda 50hp engine on an Indespension trailer and Icom radio for their club. 

The 2007 Honda RYA Youth Rib Championship proved to be a big success and the RYA together with Honda, Ribcraft, Indespension and ICOM we are delighted to be able to offer all interested youngsters the opportunity once again to participate.Clubs and organisations that wish to participate hold local heats at their premises to determine who they put forward for their regional finals. There are 16 regional finals and the winner in each age group (8-12 and 13-16) takes part in the national final.

Local heats 
Any club/organisation that wishes to participate can hold a local heat. The club/organisation runs a competition at their premises, using their own boats, from which the clubs/organisations puts forward their winners to their Regional Final, in one or both of the age groups. Guidelines on how to hold a local heat are available.  

Regional Finals
The Regional finals, sixteen in all, are held at clubs/organisations with suitable facilities. The RYA helps the club organise the event and attends to the logistics and administration needed to run the regional final. Where possible the RYA will attend and support the event with promotional materials and two Honda powered Ribcraft to be used by the competitors.

National Final
The National Final is held at the Southampton International Boatshow in September. The RYA organises and co-ordinates all aspects of this final stage of the competition.

Prizes
At the Regional finals trophies and other prizes are presented for the first, second and third places in each category. At the National final the Ribcraft are awarded to the winner’s respective club/organisation and the winners receive a trophy and further prizes.

Should you have any queries the RYA Cruising Department can be contacted by telephone on:  0845 345 0370 . Additional posters can be ordered for clubs and centres via a link in www.rya.org.uk site, youth section.

The NW final of the 2008 Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship will be on August 16/17^th at Liverpool, and the Isle of Man final on 28 June at Port St Mary..

British final will be at Southampton Boat Show, September 21.  Last year’s British final winner in the 13-16 division was Gordon Bamford, from Largs SC.

WINDERMERE OPEN SAILING REGATTA

The regatta is part of the WoW –Windermere on Water festival, with events and activities both on and around the lake for everyone to enjoy! For more information about WoW visit www.wow2008.co.uk

6^TH/7^TH/8^TH June

Bring your boat and support the regatta of the five Lake Windermere sailing clubs who are again hosting this event and, from dinghies to cruisers, there is something for all sailors!

·         With a full sailing programme starting Friday afternoon into Saturday and Sunday.

·         Awards & prizes for five fleets in four races.

·         Social events for sailors and competitors.

·         This is a weekend not to be missed!

·         Members of Lake Windermere sailing clubs please contact your club for further details.

For regatta details and entry forms, go to www.lake-district.gov.uk/regatta or contact Paul Harkness on 015394 42252 (daytime), 015394 45204 (evening) or harknesspaul@yahoo.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can call Bowness Bay Information Centre on 015394 42895.

YACHTING

Liverpool YC returns home

Liverpool Yacht Club staged their first race following the major overhaul on Liverpool marina lock gates which started in November and are not yet fully operational.  Although the gates can only be operated twice a day there was sufficient enthusiasm for the scheduled first race of the Wirral Implant long race series, that the race committee were able to organise the race.  With much of the race fleet still dispersed, following the successful racing, organised jointly with PSC, over the winter at Pwllheli, entries were lower than would normally be expected.

The race started in damp cloudy weather with a F2-3 NE.  The course took the yachts on a fine reach down the river through the notorious Rock channel and then a run to the entrance to Hilbre Island before beating back to the Liverpool Bar fairway marker and finally a long run to the West Constable Cardinal off the Great Ormes Head a total distance of 39 nM.  On the last leg the wind virtually died before returning with vengeance as a good F5 Easterly.

 The race was won by Nick Ogden in his J122 Ulula who led through out the race.  Second was the race sponsor Neil Thomas in his Prima 38 Mighty Max., who had sailed overnight from Holyhead to join the fleet.  Third was Richard Baldwin in his Superseal Tango. 

ENVIRONMENT

THE GREEN BLUE WELCOME NEW MEMBER TO THE TEAM

The Green Blue has appointed Lex Bancroft as its new Development Officer. Lex, a keen sailor and boating enthusiast, joins the team following a general staff reshuffle and the departure of The Green Blue’s Project Co-ordinator Katherine Rowberry.

A former Yacht Broker for Portway Yacht Sales at Shamrock Quay, Lex also has several years’ deckhand experience working on Super Yachts in the Mediterranean and a degree in Marine Geography from Cardiff University. She comments, “I’m really looking forward to using my knowledge of the marine industry and my environmental background in tackling the challenges I’m sure lie ahead promoting The Green Blue’s mission to help recreational boating go green. This is something I am really passionate about and can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Sarah Black, Project Manager, welcomed Lex to the growing team saying, “Lex brings a great wealth of experience to the programme and will be a real asset to the team. She will be working alongside our new recycling officer, who will be joining the team soon, to ensure we bring some tailored environmental solutions to the whole sector.”

Lex will also be running The Green Blue’s volunteer programme so if you would like to work with us please do drop her a line on lex.bancroft@thegreenblue.org.uk or call the team on 02380 604100.

YACHTING

Join the RYA Keelboat Squad

Fancy a place on the Volvo RYA Keelboat Squad?

Want to get up to speed in a Keelboat?

Now is your chance!

The RYA are holding a series of Open Keelboat Race Training events in 2008 and are looking for the next generation of up and coming sailors to get on board. Open Keelboat Race Training events are a route for being selected into the Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme and provide the opportunity for sailors to brush up on skills and receive first class coaching in the RYA’s fleet of J80s. These events cater for sailors of all race abilities.

Open Keelboat Race Training dates for 2008:

• 28 -29 June, Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club, Scotland (Venue TBC)
• 5-7 July, Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy
• 26-28 August, Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy
• 29-31 August, Plas Menai, Wales

Selections:  September 2008, Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (by invitation only)

To reserve your place at an Open Keelboat Training event, please fill out the form available on RYA website.

To reserve your place on a training weekend there is a £40 entry fee, made payable to the RYA. Sailors are required to find their own accommodation, however it is advised that where possible, you stay at the centre/academy at which the training is being held. Food will be available to buy at or near the venue.

If you would like to know more about the Volvo RYA Keelboat programme or about the sailors currently on the squads please go to our website: www.rya.org.uk/AboutRYA/programmesinitiatives/volvoryakeelboatprogramme

RYA PUBLICATIONS

New titles in May

RYA Going by the Rules 2005- 2008 DVD, Trevor Lewis, £8.99

RYA Solent Race Strategy, Patrick Jolly, £8.99

RYA Flag Etiquette & Visual Signals, new edition, RYA, £5.99

RYA Intermediate Windsurfing, RYA, £8.99

RYA Seamanship for Sea Anglers, Andrew Simpson, £13.99

RYA books can be ordered at most marina shops, or online from the RYA site. Remember, all RYA members gain a 10% discount on RYA books. Order at www.rya.org.uk/shop or phone the order hotline on 0845 345 0372. RYA Vouchers can also be purchased on the site.

YOUR RYA REGION

Get your own newsletter

 If you would like to be added to the circulation list, please send your e mail address to jgraham.knox “at” virgin.net.

The newsletter may also be viewed on the RYA NW website, at www.rya-northwest.org.uk .

RYA NW contacts

Chairman; David Williamson  dwilliamson ”at”rya-online.net

Secretary;  Graham Knox   01706 642311  jgraham.knox ”at”virgin.net

High Performance Manager for North and West; Chris Blackburn   07909 994637   chris.blackburn ”at”rya.org.uk

Regional Development Officer; Sally Kilpatrick  07747 534527   sally.kilpatrick ”at”rya.org.uk

OnBoard Development Officer; Adam McGovern   Adam.McGovern “at” Rochdale.gov.uk

Chairman, Training Forum; Wendy Rigg  01270 820779   wriggcsf “at” btopenworld.com

Regional Race Management Adviser;  Adrian Stoggall   01625 871579  stoggall “at” zetnet.co.uk

Regional Rules Adviser; Peter Johnson   0151 632 1805  mq22 “at” liv.ac.uk

Regional Windsurf Liaison Officer;  Mike Roberts   0161 904 0212   mark “at” aroberts56.freeserve.co.uk

Sailability; Ian Shirra      07749 012414      ian “at” shirra.fsnet.co.uk

Communications;  Alan Henderson    01292 281383     alanhe “at” tiscali.co.uk

Web addresses for further information;

RYA NW    www.rya-northwest.org.uk        OnBoard;   www.ruob.co.uk    

RYA HQ   www.rya.org.uk  or Tel   0845 345 0400       Team 15;   www.team15.org.uk

Disclaimer; this newsletter is published by RYA North West Region. Information is believed to be accurate at time of going to press, but comes from diverse sources. Neither RYA NW nor the editor can take responsibility for any errors or omissions. Opinions of contributors or interviewees are not necessarily those of RYA NW. Please check info about events etc before going.

RYA Hamble contact

General enquiries;  0845 345 0400          www.rya.org.uk

Eventually when all were equipped a gentle breeze came by and everyone managed to get on the water, either in Oppies or with instructors in a double handed boat. After an hour the groups switched round after topping up their batteries with juice and biscuits. Unfortunately as the children built their strength up the wind died and the lake turned to a sheet of glass. Not to be stumped the rescue boats changed roles and became pleasure boats as the instructors demonstrated their driving skills. Smiling faces all-round, even the Mums and Dads joined in the fun!

More biscuits were consumed, certificates awarded and “thank you’s” said but the best testament to a successful day came from one of the girls “Thanks for the best Saturday ever!”

Thanks to the staff and pupils of Westwood School, you were a pleasure to work with. Come and see us again.

There’s loads of pictures of the day in our gallery at: http://gallery.sail.org.uk/v/2008/onboard_may/

A testing time was also had in the OOD box as the fickle southerly wind came and went with each black cloud that passed slowly over making setting the first course an arduous task. Surprisingly as first gun sounded conditions had significantly improved with the rain stopping and a light, if not somewhat fickle breeze establishing across the whole lake.

Innes Armstrong and Oliver Dewhurst of Burwain SC were quick out of the blocks and seemed to be making the most out of the light winds up the first beat. However a little extra breeze on the right in the latter half of the beat saw Bill Kenyon and Ben Ditchburn of Budworth squeeze in front at the first mark to lead everyone down the first testing run. Places began to change downwind as the fleet spread across the lake each looking for those pockets of extra breeze to help push them past their rivals.

Perhaps local knowledge, but most likely the considerable experience and talent of the Platt’s began to show and Mark crewed by Malcolm Marsden and Ian with Alex Pilkington made their way to the head of the fleet. They weren’t to have it all their own way though as Matt Mee and Andy Tunnicliffe tussled hard pushing for their place at the front. At the line Mark Platt and Malcolm had hung on to take the first win with Ian and Alex close behind and Matt and Andy on their heels in 3rd.

Race 2 followed a good lunch in the club but with little change in the conditions positions were going to be hard fought again as was getting the fleet off the start cleanly. Two general recalls saw the emergence of the black flag, which ensured that Neil Platt and Tom Robinson plus Mandy Mitchell and John Close could head back to the club to watch race 2 from the shore having both fallen foul of a premature start.

Positions at the front soon resembled those of race 1 and despite changes throughout the race it was once again Mark and Malcolm that took the victory that secured them the overall event win. Ian and Alex and Matt and Andy’s results also mirrored those of race one with Bill and Ben sailing consistently taking the fourth spot.

Despite having the event in the bag Mark and Malcolm took to the water for the final race a decision they must have regretted as the rain returned and the wind departed. The downpour, the bunching up of the fleet at marks and the desperate downwind legs ensure there were frustrations and dampened spirits with one helm heard to scream “get that kite filled, everyone else around us is moving” a thought I am sure hadn’t even entered the crew’s head!!!

Matt and Andy picked their way around the lake with the greatest success and took the final race thus ensuring that despite Ian and Alex’s third second place they pipped them for 2nd overall. Bill and Ben made up the top three in the race giving them a deserved 4th overall ahead of Neil Platt and Tom who completed the overall top 5.

David and Pete Mitchell of Winsford Flash Sailing Club headed the silver fleet with the Bronze title going to James and Judith Downes of Budworth Sailing Club. Bolton sailors took the lady helm trophy with Julie and Chris Waddington coming out on top and a junior prize went to Ruth Shevelan and Rebecca Paul also from Bolton.

All that remained was for Matt Mee to thank Bolton Sailing Club on behalf of the visitors and collectively the fleet to thank Andy Flitcroft and his team for a job well done on very testing day for any OOD.

Bolton Sailing Club hosted the Supernova Open on Saturday 26th April with18 boats taking part in the competition. The weather lived up to the forecast of overcast conditions and a shifty F3 South Westerly wind. There were 8 home boats with 10 other competitors travelling from as a far afield as Northumberland, Midlands and the south.

In the 1st race there was a tight battle at the front of the fleet between Mike Gibson (Bartley) and Tony Critchley (Bolton). Whilst Mike was quicker on the downwind legs Tony had the advantage upwind. The lead changed several times between Gibson and Critchley. However, Critchley lost out to Gibson with Dave Everett (Severn SC) taking third and Ian Moodie (Bolton) in fourth place.

After lunch the wind had moderated slightly. In the 2nd race, the OOD decided to use almost all the marks on the lake which lead to the entire fleet having close racing. Mike Gibson was first to the windward mark followed by Critchley, Everett and Hawley with all four changing places several times. Critchley was eventually overtaken by Chris Hawley and pulled away from the fleet with Hawley having a well deserved win, Critchley second and Moodie third. Unfortunately for Mike Gibson he missed out the wing mark and was classified DNF.

By the time the 3rd race started the wind had dropped to a gentle breeze. The race was dominated by Tony Critchley who led from start to finish followed by Mike Gibson and Chris Hawley who battled to third.

Tony commented that based on his performance today in 525 the Giles’ boats are still competitive.

The overall results:

1st Supernova North Star 525 Tony Critchley Bolton SC
2nd Supernova Mid-Life Crisis 687 Mike Gibson Bartley
3rd Supernova Cloud Nine 575 Chris Hawley Severn SC
4th Supernova Ataxic 411 Ian Moodie Bolton SC
5th Supernova 622 David Everett West Oxon