Optimal Scottish Supernova Cup at Port Edgar Yacht Club

Optimal Scottish Supernova Cup at Port Edgar © Sebastian Hascilowicz

A healthy fleet of ten Supernovas including five visiting boats from Castle Semple SC, arrived at Port Edgar and peered into a dense East Coast Haar obscuring any views of the three bridges.

Fortunately, as per the previous year's event, the mist lifted just in time for the racing to start more or less on schedule. A gently oscillating and fairly consistent F2 to F3 wind settled in for the day allowing the race officer, John Mucklow, to set four varied courses in Queensferry Bay between the rail and road bridges. The wind was sufficiently brisk to persuade the lighter helms, Orlagh and Simon to commit to the smaller sail but Neil MacRae went full rig for full beans.

RACE 1 - The three lap windward-leeward race began with the young upstart, Orlagh MacDonald, attempting to start at the favoured pin end of the line, only to be denied by Calum Robertson who timed his run along the line on starboard to perfection. Calum carried on left to get into the ebbing tide whilst the fleet split behind to see which side would pay off. Calum arrived at the windward mark ahead of Andy MacDonald and Pete Sykes with the rest of the pack not far behind. Andy and Pete made inroads downwind but failed to get on terms with the leader. Calum then extended a little as Pete and Andy did battle behind. Calum won from Pete with Andy third.

RACE 2 - The RO set a triangular course this time but it was deja-vu on the start line with Calum starting clear at the favoured pin end and following the tide and wind shifts on the left to gap the pack at the windward mark. The chasing pack was five abreast at times with some first class one design racing around the marks. Arthur Logan, who had swapped his regular GP14 for the Class Association loan boat, finished reading the tuning guide and set about securing a well earned second place at the finish, ahead of Castle Semple colleague, Rob Plant in his Mk.1 boat, clearly enjoying the good breeze.

Optimal Scottish Supernova Cup at Port Edgar - photo © Sebastian Hascilowicz

RACE 3 - Course and start line were re-aligned slightly before the third race were set off for another windward-leeward race. A well contested start resulted in Simon Rogers being forced over at the start before the fleet split sides on the beat. Ewan Pringle was scratching his head as to why his boat speed had gone south until he realised that he hadn't put the bung in the transom, but by that time the damage was done (we have all been there). Calum clawed his way to the front to lead at the first mark and held on doggedly for the remainder of the race whilst Pete, Arthur and Rob set about each other and that was the order at the finish after three laps.

RACE 4 - The Supernova favourite, a trapezoidal course for the last race with another well contested start line. Committee boat end was slightly favoured and once again Calum sneaked into the gap to ensure clear air for the first beat and lead at the windward mark with a bit of a gap to Arthur and Pete. Playing the waves on the reaches proved key to getting on the tail of the boat in front, but Pete and Arthur got a bit too close at the leeward mark when Arthur rounded-up a bit too quickly and dipped the boom end in the water. Over he went and Pete was left with nowhere to go at the mark. With collision expertly avoided, Pete went on to claim second place whilst Arthur recovered to beat Rob for third.

At the end of the day it was four bullets for Calum to take a home win from Port Edgar team mate, Pete Sykes. Arthur Logan was delighted to bring home a well deserved third from his Castle Semple buddy, Rob Plant, an excellent result for Rob in his first year in the Supernova. All went home with some excellent Mozaic ale, courtesy of Stewart Brewing who kindly donated their product. All in all a great event once again for the Scottish fleet at a popular and scenic venue. Credit also goes to the PEYC race management and rescue volunteers for ensuring the racing was such a success.

The next scheduled event in the Scottish circuit was meant to be the final one at Dalgety Bay SC on the weekend of 19th/20th September and will be epic if anything like last year. The fleet is however discussing an option to add the Loch Lomond regatta at the start of September to replace the Loch Earn event that we all missed at the start of the year so watch the class website and social media for confirmation of this.

Optimal Scottish Supernova Cup at Port Edgar - photo © Sebastian Hascilowicz

Overall Results: