The Supernova Inland Championships 2025 at Blithfield Sailing Club

Iain Ferguson
4 days ago
7 min read

A limit of 75 entrants was set for the Supernova Inland Championship, held at Blithfield Sailing Club for the second year in a row. That limit was quickly reached, such is the popularity of this event. Most of the runners and riders pitched up on Friday evening despite some forecasts suggesting 30-40 knot possibilities for the weekend. It was hard to imagine such weather given the gentle sunshine and quiet Friday evening over a smooth pool! For some the forecast didn’t compute with their plans and there were inevitable cancellations with most very sportingly making this public to allow others to take up the places. Saturday morning was equally bright and welcoming but with a windspeed gusting in the high teens, it was agreed that there was wisdom in adjusting the programme to fit four races in the first day and sweep up the last two on the windier Sunday morning.

Despite the water level being as low as most members can ever recall, Blithfield reservoir is deeply contoured and retains a large usable area. Moreover, South Staffs Water granted permission to use the entire length - a real bonus as it’s a big area. As last year, a local RYA judge was on the water in an observer capacity and provided much valued feedback and technical advice on and off the water. The wind, as predicted, was SSW around 14 knots with gusts in the low 20s.

Fortified by the mandatory breakfast butty, Race 1 saw a clean start of 68 boats and a zigzag course up the full length from causeway to dam.

This gave relatively short beats but sufficient to give the fleet options in chasing differing wind patterns. Using the middle of the reservoir seemed to pay off better than heading straight for the southerly shore. The leading half-dozen made a clean turn round the windward mark onto the reach although as inevitably happens with such a large contingent, the middle of the fleet bunching at the first mark was the moment to demonstrate your ability to maintain clean air. With the separation of the fleet at this point, the first race showed a very clear front, middle and tail end but even so there wasn’t much time elapsed between first and last. With a long and fast reach down the pool to the leeward mark, this allowed the lighter helms to make up for their larger counterparts’ advantage on the beats. The race was finished at one of the middle windward marks and was won by Cliff Milliner with Iain Horlock and Andy Flitcroft second and third respectively.

By Race 2, the wind was accompanied by light rain and started to throw a few more gusts in the 20-25 knot range. An unusual characteristic, even for the locals, were the vicious headers accompanying the rarely sustained gusts. The course was tweaked to include Mark 2 in the South corner of the dam. Another clean start for 64 boats this time followed and the second race followed a similar pattern to the first race albeit distinctly less spread out as most had blasted the cobwebs away. The race was finished at Mark 2 which proved to be ‘coffin corner’ with frustrating headers hitting the finishers as they fought to gain the mark. With these testing wind shifts the capsize bill was a bit higher and there were some remarkable manoeuvres, including a complete pirouette culminating in a glancing blow to the committee boat. Victorious was Matt Thursfield, followed by Iain Horlock and Mark Hartley. There were 7 retirements during this race, a testament to the conditions. The only damage noted was the total destruction of the Race Officer’s umbrella in a brief moment of Committee Boat comedy.

With both races taking around an hour each, time was looking good. A generous lunch hour was offered (and taken) and there was an appreciative buzz that this had given everyone a much-needed warm-up, rest and chance to stock up on energy levels for the afternoon. The galley crew excelled in providing a hot meal and some impressively enriched flapjacks.

Race 3 at 1530 wasn’t for everyone but still 58 boats started. The wind had ratcheted up a notch with a 30-knot gust recorded at the Clubhouse. More off-putting was the ominous cloud cover and rain proved to be a feature of this race. Having recognised the challenges of Mark 2 from the previous race, the course was altered slightly though the fast reaches remained a key part and visibly delighted many even if just for the fun factor. The gusts became more sustained in the rain and the number of capsizes increased but few needed assistance. Although distinctly breezy at times, the pace reverted to a relatively pedestrian one in the lulls. This time the finish was much more manageable and first home was Cliff Milliner and then Mark Hartley and Hugo Hansen.

To offset another wind change, the course was varied again and Race 4 started at 1615 with a -dropping port tack flyer from Luke Fisher. He judged the moment perfectly and held his nerve to cross neatly in front of 54 other boats thundering down the line with a freshening 18 plus-knot breeze propelling them. A dip under anyone’s stern would have condemned him to let the entire fleet pass. He was well rewarded with being first round the windward mark though could not hold everybody off to the finish. With the changing wind Mark 2 was allowed back in as the finish.

This time the wind was steadier (and the competitors had wised up on how to approach it) and there were no acrobatics at the finish. As a reward for his superb start, Luke finished a highly creditable third after Iain Horlock and Cliff Milliner.

As this was the end of Day 1, and with plenty of smiles and more than a few aches, the fleet recovered to the shore. The usual opportunities for rehydration and re-warming followed before the AGM. This was conducted by the President, well attended and concluded in a timely manner.

There followed a meeting of the Fleet Captains, chaired by Alex Reeves, with the aim of discussing additional options for the Association support of the local Fleets. Much mention was made of the rapid expansion of the Scottish fleet and the value of training sessions, which have received many plaudits. Rounded off with a discussion of how best to use the (now 2) fleet loan boats this was followed by the Gala Dinner. The Blithfield Galley team surpassed themselves with formally dressed tables and an excellent 3-course meal. Serving 70 covers of 3 courses in 30 minutes from a small galley is an achievement in any catering establishment. They put the capital ‘G’ in Gala!

Sunday broke to another beautiful morning and a suspicious mind might have considered it the calm before the storm. However, not so. Race 5 saw 47 boats start with the wind from the SW at 14-23 knots. This time the gusts were less likely to be headers and if there could be such a thing, they were more predictable and easier to manage. The proof of that pudding was fewer capsizes. The

course remained broadly the same but a last-minute shift resulted in a general recall. There followed some moments of jeopardy as the Committee boat appeared to have been ‘eaten’ by a capsizing boat (the First Substitute staff is now a foot shorter as a result). Undeterred the race team quickly reset the line, deployed the Black flag and the race was underway at 1020. This time the reaches went up a notch in speed (and fun) and the long blast down the pool was exhilarating. The sun stayed, clouds were high and smiles were out in force. Capsizes, despite the challenging conditions, were remarkable few. A navigation error by some of the fleet leaders created an opportunity and Matt Thursfield and Mark Hartley who had been neck and neck throughout slipped through with Matt emerging with line honours and Mark a close second. Iain Horlock was third. There was one retirement due to a stainless gooseneck breakage.

Race 6, with 42 boats was cleanly underway at 1126 under the black flag, albeit 2 fell under that black shadow. There was still no sign of the forecast 30-plus-knot winds and bright sunshine gave an encouraging backdrop. This race was characterised by the many individual ‘races within a race’. Many erstwhile pairs exchanged good-nature compliments about their personal competition. It was finished in front of the Clubhouse with Cliff Milliner gaining line honours (with a particularly joyous ‘whoop’), followed by Iain Horlock and Hugo Hansen.

Prize giving saw Cliff Milliner from Cotswold SC crowned, once again, as the Supernova Inland Champion with Iain Horlock from Exe SC in second and Mark Hartley from Blithfield SC in third.

Of note, the new version of the small sail was used by a number of competitors and the Race team observed that notwithstanding the effect on individual performances, it must have permitted more to sail than might otherwise have been the case. There should be a good opportunity for feedback at competitor level.

Moreover, keen to recognise individual skills, sporting conduct, as well as endurance and stamina (grit) from the wider fleet, additional prizes were awarded by the Blithfield Race Team to Luke Fisher of Emberton Park for his port-tack flyer, Steve Jellicoe of Olton Mere SC for taking his turns despite the merest kiss against a buoy (in contrast to a few blatant ones where a penalty was not taken), Josh Beardshaw from Redditch SC for an impressively slick recovery from capsize, Serena Stewardson from Emberton Park SC for true grit throughout all 6 races and Doug Rankin from Blithfield SC for showing skill and sportsmanship in taking turns even though he was likely the wronged boat.

In summary, all 6 races executed and everyone keen to come back to Blithfield to do it again next year. The Blithfield Team look forward to it!

Words by Alastair Reid

Pictures by Alastair Reid