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Supernova Inland Championship 2024 at Blithfield Sailing Club

31 August – 1 September 2024


The Supernova Inland Championship has become a highly anticipated event, reaching a maximum entry of 70 boats well ahead of time. Those who acted quickly to register had the opportunity to showcase their skills on the water, while others missed their chance.

Blithfield is renowned as the largest reservoir in Staffordshire. Though competitors may not have access to the entire body of water, a special agreement with South Staffs Water has allowed for an expanded sailing area for this significant championship. The additional camping space also provided competitors with a comfortable experience. The unexpected presence of some sheep added a delightful touch of nature to the event.

Many competitors arrived steadily on Friday night, with some experiencing challenging travel conditions. Fortunately, the Blithfield hospitality team provided hot Chilli Con Carne and drinks to late arrivals, even as they sorted out their boats in the car park after dark. The atmosphere was warm, with stunning sunset views allowing sailors to enjoy continuous food service throughout the evening, and the vegan options were particularly popular.

Saturday began with the wind displaying its predicted characteristics, coming from the ENE at around 10 knots. This direction remained consistent throughout the competition weekend, with gusts reaching 17 knots at the Clubhouse, estimated at 20-25 knots on the reservoir.

As competitors arrived, they were promptly sorted and briefed for the day’s races. The motto for the day was ‘Max sailing, min faffing’, emphasizing the need for quick launches and recoveries to accommodate all races and lunch.

The first race commenced on time, with a start line that provided ample length for all participants. The notorious gusty nature of the Easterly wind at Blithfield made for a physically and mentally demanding race. Competitors faced not only the wind’s strength but also sudden changes in direction and strength. Capsizes occurred from both windward and leeward strategies, especially at the windward mark, which required careful navigation.

Class superstar Matt Thursfield led at the windward mark, showcasing his exceptional upwind skills. The fleet quickly developed a leading group of fewer than 10 boats, who distanced themselves significantly from the rest of the competitors. Clear wind was crucial, and those further down the fleet faced additional challenges with the gusts rebounding off nearby boats.

The first windward mark was particularly crowded, with many boats arriving on port tack. However, competitors exhibited excellent sportsmanship with clear communication and respectful exchanges, minimizing conflict on the water. Notably, there were no protests throughout the weekend, thanks in part to the presence of the Chair of the Protest Jury, who provided observations as an observer on the water.

Races featured two gybe marks, presenting another chance for capsizing, especially after fast reaches into them. The finish was intentionally designed to minimize confusion with so many boats crossing close-hauled. Defending champion Cliff Milliner displayed extraordinary talent, overtaking Matt T and finishing nearly a leg ahead of the second-place sailor.

With the first day’s racing complete, competitors enjoyed a delightful lunch of baked potatoes with a variety of fillings. Afterward, everyone returned to the water for the second and third races on Saturday, which were held smoothly with minimal course adjustments. The Race Officer was impressed with the discipline exhibited by the Supernova Fleet, leading to clean starts throughout.

Each race lasted approximately 50-55 minutes, providing a good physical workout for the sailors and preparing them for a relaxing evening. The day concluded with a well-attended AGM followed by a high-quality meal, resulting in a good-natured crowd that enjoyed the evening’s festivities, including local ales.

Following a peaceful night at the campsite, competitors approached Sunday with a relaxed attitude, ready for three back-to-back races. The fourth race started just before 10:00 AM, with wind conditions remaining favorable. A slight adjustment to the course added excitement to the reaches, enhancing the race’s overall experience.

The fourth, fifth, and sixth races were all claimed by Cliff Milliner, demonstrating clear dominance throughout the competition. Notable performances included Andrew Wilde from Ogston, who consistently finished in the top ranks, and the Cotswold duo of Will Gifford and Gavin Young who also achieved strong results. The competition was fierce, and the division system effectively supported rivalries on the water.

After tallying the scores, prizes were awarded in front of an enthusiastic audience. Cliff Milliner secured the overall championship for an impressive 11th time, expressing gratitude towards Blithfield Sailing Club for organizing a flawless event.

Overall Results:

GOLD
1st Mike Critchley – Bolton – 7th overall
2nd Colin Bamford – Bolton – 8th overall
3rd Andy Flitcroft – Bolton – 11th overall
4th Jeremy Higson – Bartley – 13th overall
5th Dana Church – Notts – 17th overall

SILVER
1st Martin Smith – Chelmarsh – 14th overall
2nd Martin Roots – Cardiff Bay – 15th overall
3rd Clive Brown – Bolton – 16th overall
4th Julian Bassett – Blithfield – 18th overall
5th Doug Rankin – Blithfield – 19th overall

BRONZE
1st Eddie Johnson – Girton – 24th overall
2nd Phil Hind – Ogston – 25th overall
3rd Duncan Cheshire – Winsford Flash – 26th overall

MK1
1st David Allen – Haversham – 39th overall
2nd James Stark – Winsford Flash – 42nd overall

LADY
1st Matilda Harrison – Ogston – 48th overall

BEGINNER
1st Sam Osbourne – Ogston – 63rd overall

Pos Fleet Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Pts
1st P 1245 Cliff Milliner Cotswold 1 1 ‑4 1 1 1 5
2nd P 1302 Matt Thursfield Chelmarsh 2 3 1 ‑10 3 5 14
3rd P 1315 Andrew Wilde Ogston 4 5 2 ‑8 2 4 17
4th P 1299 William Gifford Cotswold 3 6 3 2 ‑7 3 17
5th P 1261 Gavin Young Cotswold ‑12 4 7 3 4 2 20
6th P 1348 Mark Hartley Blithfield 6 2 6 5 6 ‑7 25
7th G 1220 Mike Critchley Bolton 5 7 9 6 ‑14 12 39
8th G 1125 Corin Bamford Bolton 7 10 5 ‑14 10 9 41
9th P 1333 Chris Hawley Bartley 9 ‑12 10 7 9 6 41
10th P 1344 Alex Reeve Cotswold (NSC) 11 8 4 11 8 42
11th G 1264 Andy Flitcroft Bolton 10 8 ‑13 9 8 10 45
12th P 1257 Mike Gibson Bartley 11 9 ‑18 16 5 11 52
13th G 1267 Jeremy Higson Bartley 20 13 15 ‑24 13 15 76
14th S 1133 Martin Smith Chelmarsh 21 19 11 13 18 ‑24 82
15th S 1307 Martin Roots Cardiff Bay 13 18 20 22 ‑35 13 86
16th S 1094 Clive Brown Bolton 16 ‑27 16 20 22 18 92
17th G 1139 Dana Church Notts SC 14 20 23 23 17 (RET) 97
18th S 1066 Julian Bassett Blithfield 17 28 17 (DNC) 15 22 99
19th S 1277 Doug Rankin Blithfield ‑29 15 29 19 20 20 103
20th S 1160 Paul Undrell Cotswold 23 ‑44 33 17 16 16 105
21st S 1189 Tom Chadfield Blithfield 30 ‑39 36 15 12 14 107
22nd S 1345 Matt Watkiss Bolton 22 23 14 ‑31 24 26 109
23rd S 1319 Sean Muldoon Haversham 24 17 ‑27 27 25 17 110
24th B 1130 Ed Johnson Girton 19 30 21 ‑34 19 23 112
25th B 1342 Philip Hind Ogston ‑37 22 25 12 31 28 118
26th B 1281 Duncan Cheshire Winsford Flash (NSC) 16 28 11 40 31 126
27th S 1250 David Partridge Chelmarsh 18 25 ‑49 28 26 32 129
28th S 1059 Adrian Davis Girton 26 29 26 29 ‑34 19 129
29th S 1184 Garry Butterfield Bartley 27 ‑35 35 18 23 27 130
30th S 1032 Marcus Shaw Girton 34 24 31 26 21 ‑35 136
31st S 1234 Nick Whiles Girton 44 26 (RET) 21 27 21 139
32nd B 1322 Dave Morris Glossop 38 32 24 ‑48 29 29 152
33rd S 1325 Adrian Lumb Haversham 33 38 ‑47 30 28 25 154
34th B 1241 Frank Lafferty Winsford Flash ‑45 40 19 35 33 30 157
35th B 1256 Paul Burton Girton 31 33 32 ‑40 32 33 161
36th B 1296 Eric Haselden Winsford Flash 32 21 22 25 RET (DNC) 165
37th G 1246 Tony Critchley Bolton 8 14 12 (DNC) DNC DNC 176
38th B 1326 Gary Kirton Girton 28 31 ‑45 44 37 37 177
39th B 536 David Allen Haversham 35 41 37 33 38 ‑43 184
40th B 1332 Nick Woodhead Blithfield 40 34 40 38 ‑46 34 186
41st B 1074 Richard Williams Bartley 43 ‑52 41 36 30 39 189
42nd B 406 James Stark Winsford Flash 41 ‑49 38 42 41 36 198
43rd B 1127 Phil North Girton 39 43 30 45 ‑49 42 199
44th B 1182 Michael Hughes Glossop 15 ‑54 48 52 48 40 203
45th S 1171 Mark Meadows Teesdale 36 (DNS) 34 41 36 RET 207
46th B 1110 Jasper Meij Bolton ‑49 47 43 37 47 38 212
47th B 1274 Andrew Gould Cotswold 25 36 DNS 32 RET (DNC) 220
48th B 523 Matilda Harrison Ogston ‑52 51 39 50 44 44 228
49th S 110 Alastair Reid Blithfield (DNS) 37 50 43 39 RET 229
50th B 1190 Nick Booth Pembrokeshire YC 51 50 46 49 43 ‑53 239
51st B 1099 Peter Housley Swarkestone 46 46 42 54 52 (DNC) 240
52nd B 707 Ian Shapiro Ogston ‑56 53 44 51 53 45 246
53rd S 1254 Tony Bleasdale Girton 47 42 RET 39 RET (DNC) 255
54th B 458 Bill Hurr Draycote Water 42 48 DNS (DNC) 45 RET 257
55th B 1259 Paul Kerley Sutton Bingham SC (RET) RET DNS 46 42 41 258
56th B 1309 Serena Stewardson Emberton Park 53 56 51 ‑58 50 50 260
57th B 1272 Andrew Goodman-Smith Attenborough 48 45 DNS 47 RET (DNC) 267
58th B 1057 Ian Casewell Cotswold 55 55 (DNS) 55 51 51 267
59th B 1185 John Human Emberton Park 59 ‑63 54 53 56 48 270
60th B 1021 Daniel Boddice Bartley 57 ‑58 55 56 54 49 271
61st B 1328 Rob Swinnock Blithfield 50 (RET) DNS 59 55 46 272
62nd B 462 Craig Harrison Ogston 58 ‑61 52 57 57 RET 284
63rd BEG 1172 Sam Osborne Ogston ‑62 62 56 60 60 47 285
64th BEG 450 Joe Peck Girton 63 ‑64 57 62 58 52 292
65th B 1157 Paul Rankin Blithfield 61 59 (RET) 61 59 54 294
66th B 1134 Tom Baldwin Ogston 54 60 53 (DNC) DNC DNC 309
67th B 1297 David Bibby Chelmarsh 60 DNS DNS RET (DNC) DNC 324
68th B 1082 Andrew Chadfield Blithfield RET 57 RET (DNC) DNC DNC 329
69th P 1156 Alexander H Collins Bolton (DNC) DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC 355
69th S 1223 Jon Pebody Hunts (DNC) DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC 355

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