It’s a sign of the success of Super Saturday when we’re disappointed that only 38 boats turned out for the final event of the series.  10 Oppies competing fiercely for the overall trophy. Guest visitors from Thorpe Bay yacht club in the slow handicap and in the fast handicap 8 of our growing fleet of RS 200 put in a final appearance.  All the racing was once again close across the three fleets, compounded by the Optimists starting as the fast handicappers approached the leeward mark.

Indeed the leeward mark was the focus of much attention in race one when several of the RS200s reached the wrong side of it and had to unwind themselves and “finish” for a second time.

The second race also enjoyed both the windward mark and committee boat dragging their anchors after the tide had turned….neither of which impacted the results, although the latter delivered an interesting slalom finish for some of the Optimists. Unfortunately due to technical complications (Murphy’s law) on the committee boat, results were not ready until late in the day (Thank you to Janice, Marion and Sarah for meticulously going through the video replay to ensure all was correct).

In the Fast Handicap James Hutton Penman had the event sewn up in his Aero 7 only having to race to take the title.  The Optimist winner was Nathan Flynn, and it went down to the wire in the Slow Handicap with a possible 5 boats able to take the top spot before the final race.  In the end Freddie Fisher and Archie Kemp took the win in the Feva.

Oppie Winner Nathan Flynn Writes..

This year I have enjoyed Super Saturday because of the experience with a larger fleet and it is great to see more and more boats joining every time. The race officers tried their best to get us out and racing every time and thank you to that team. It was a disappointment that we did not get all of the races in, however, you can’t do much when the wind drops even if you have already laid the course but rafting up around the RIBs was fun. It was also great to see a lot more competition in the optimist fleet with about fifteen oppies altogether and the racing was very close. It was good to see many of the R2/Regatta group taking part and pushing the race group. Harry was leading the series but unfortunately was not around for the last races so my two first places jumped me into the lead.

It is a testament to the success of this event that there have been over 70 competitors taking part over the season, and huge congratulations must go to all those who have worked tirelessly to make the event a success.  There is a short break now until 10 of November when they are back on the water for the Snow Globe