Supernova National Championships 2024 at Plas Heli - Overall

TeamGSC during the Supernova Nationals 2024 at Plas Heli © Paul Burton

Sam Knight wins the Supernova Nationals 2024 at Plas Heli © Paul Burton

On the long weekend of 28, 29 and 30 June the Supernova fleet descended to Pwllheli for the Hartley Boats National Championships at the Plas Heli centre. Most of the 100+ pre-entries made the journey to Wales, although some opted not to sail due to the weather conditions.

The Supernova really does have something for everyone and this championship must go down in history as very much ticking that box. You will have seen from our day 1 report and our day 2 report. Day 2 that we had some big winds and very big/big waves. Day 3 ended up being a bit breezier than expected, 14-16 knots but being offshore the sea state was much calmer allowing some of the "pondies" to show off their skills - spoiler alert Cliff Milliner was top performer.

Off the water

Before we get into the racing, it is important to acknowledge the off the water side. The Supernova is known as a very welcoming fleet and the new faces were warmly greeted in the dinghy park by the fleet. With buddy group coloured t-shirts and zone based rigging areas there was an immediate collaborative feeling to the event even for those travelling solo from their club. The first evening saw some brilliant talks from Cliff Milliner, Mark Hartley and sail maker Steve covering some top tips and also a rigging guide to the new sail. Throw in a social on the Friday night and several trips to the local pubs and there was a great feeling to the event. In their matching t-shirts "Team Girton" were very much leading the off the water camaraderie.

One other thing that gets me every year in the Supernova fleet is the support for each other on the beach. Pwllheli is notoriously tricky with the long beach and to see the top sailors get ashore, dump their boats then come back to help with trollies for others rather than sprinting for an early shower is just fantastic.

Day 3 - sailing

Sam Knight had got himself into the driving seat after the end of Day 2, but Cliff Milliner and Eden Hyland were both in with a shout. Sam had been busy crunching the maths the night before and knew a win would see him crowned Champion. He very much didn't have it his own way though in race 6 but after a tightly fought battle he did manage to take line honours. A determined Cliff Miller in second, with ever consistent Gavin Young in third.

Race 7 was an interesting one with a shift just after the gate boat (Corin Bamford) was released. At the top mark Corin had held on to the lead, closely followed by Alex Hagen Collins, Duncan Cheshire and Chris Hawley. Special mention to David Stephen from Bartley who also rounded in the top group. At the end of the run it was all to play for with Cliff also now in the mix. A shift up the final beat caught out some of the leading group, with Andrew Gomm flying in from the right hand side of the course. Finishing positions were Alex, Cliff then Andrew.

Race 8 was the shiftiest of the weekend with various games of snakes and ladders taking place. It was hard to know exactly what happened, but at one point I thought I was winning, next I was mid fleet. As ever though quality shone through and Mark Hartley took his second win of the event with Cliff Milliner scoring his 3rd second place of the day, Steve Hawley in third.

Prize Winners:

After an entertaining speech from Hartley Boats Chairman, Richard Hartley, it was time for Class Chairperson Tony Bleasdale to present the winners.

Overall:
1st - Sam Knight (10 points)
2nd - Cliff Milliner (14 points)
3rd - Eden Hyland (24 points)
4th - Alex Hagen Collins (30 points)
5th - Steve Hawley (33 points)

Gold:
1st - Peter Mackin
2nd - Iain Wilson
3rd - Chris Williams
4th - Sean Rickets
5th - Corin Bamford

Silver:
1st - Andrew Gomm
2nd - James Gerwat
3rd - Tom Williams
4th - David Cann
5th - Oliver Crocker

Bronze:
1st - Martin Smith
2nd - Clive Brown
3rd - Duncan Cheshire
4th - Peter May
5th - Matt Watkiss

Beginner:
1st - Michael Hughes
2nd - Rob Paddison
3rd - Gary Kirton
4th - Dan Boddice
5th - Sam Osborne

Mark 1:
Geoff Turner
(note - Geoff was sailing the first ever Supernova with an original Banks sail - impressive!)

Team:
Cotswold

Family:
Steve and Chris Hawley

In their speeches thanks were given from Tony, Richard and Sam to Henry the PRO and his team as well as the organising crew.

Footnote

Massive thank you to Hartley Boats for generous sponsorship, as well as the army of volunteers who support the event, be that the Committee, the Plas Heli team, or those who just got roped into moving trolleys on the beach - the event doesn't happen without you all.

The biggest thanks is to all of the 100+ competitors - there isn't much point running the event if no-one takes part!

We look forward to the season ahead, including the Inlands at Blithfield on 31 August / 1 September.

Overall Results: