Phantom P+B Inland Championships

1st/2nd June - Northampton Sailing Club

The weekend started earlier for some of the further traveling Phantoms and the customary Friday night get together. With free camping they made themselves at home in tents and motorhomes overlooking the 420 hectare lake, set in the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside.

The event format and NOR planned for 4 races on Saturday and 2 races on Sunday.

Saturday dawned to sun and a light  southerly breeze of 7- 10 kts which fluctuated constantly throughout the day with some interesting stronger patches producing some significant shifts. It was going to be a game of snakes and ladders with big decisions on both the upwind and downwind legs to take full advantage of the shifting winds and bands of breeze. Nerves of steel were going to be required.

The PRO – Miles Odell and the race team set a great course despite tricky conditions, consisting of a windward leeward and inverted P making full use of the lake.

The fleet of 22 boats were keen from the start with general recalls in each of the days races. The strength in depth of the fleet ensured close racing with no great distance between the front and back of the fleet. One mistake and places were lost, it was going to be a tough days racing where consistency would pay.

Races 1 showed signs of things to come with defending Inland Champion – Andy Couch posting his first bullet closely followed by Will Gulliver, Nick Orman, Alister Morley and Ian Stone finishing in the top five.

Race 2 provided equally challenging conditions with at least four leaders during the game of significant snakes and few ladders. Andy posted another bullet with Nick and Alister beginning to show their consistency and Martin Watt and  Mike Webster punching into the top five …….. it was going to tough at the top !

After a lunch break Race 3 saw another closely contested affair with yet another bullet to Andy who seemed to pull off what was needed to cross the line in pole position, was anybody going to stop a clean sweep? Will, Nick and Alister winning the gambling shifts to finish in that order.

PRO – Miles Odell decided to ‘can’ the scheduled race 4 until Sunday when the wind forecast showed much better conditions. A great call which was much appreciated by the fleet allowing an early dinner and extended time for liquid refreshment !
As expected the tales of ‘if only’ and ‘missed shifts’ interspursed with Champions league football were plentiful …… as was the Doombar !

Sunday morning was an early start due the extra race scheduled with breakfast at 8.00am and preparatory signal at 8.55am. Not the best start for the day with some side effects from the night before, but the fresh breeze soon cleared the heads. The wind was now a south westerly direction blowing 12 -15 knts straight down the lake and building, it was champagne sailing conditions with blue skies and 24C.

Race 4 saw another general recall but the second start got away cleanly. With now less shifty conditions boat speed came more into play, still extremely close racing with Andy doing what he does best,  yes you’ve guessed it ….. another bullet. The chasing ‘brat pack’ of Nick, Will, Alister and Ian producing more consistent top five results.

The PRO decided enough was enough and hoisted the black flag for Race 5 to discourage any overly keen sailors, but John ‘Titch’ Wayling, Ian  and Andy were all caught out with an OCS …….. ouch ! This allowed Will to post his eagerly awaited bullet with Martin Watts clearly loving the breeze finishing second, Nick third and Mike Webster punching into the top four for the first time.

The final Race 6 provided more of the same, excellent racing conditions, great courses, close competitive racing with a compact fleet. Yet another bullet for Andy showing the fleet how to race a Phantom at its best with Ian, Alister, Will and Mike all pushing for top five places finishing in that order.

Those who travelled were rewarded with a great weekend of competitive sailing, amazing weather, food and drink and a friendly social, what more could anyone ask for?

Congratulations to Andy Couch for such an emphatic event winning performance, retaining the Phantom Inland Championship title.    

Thanks were given to Northampton Sailing Club for hosting the event and to P+B for kindly sponsoring the event and for providing great prizes.

Phantom P+B Inland Championships – Preview

Just a few days to go before the 2019 Phantom Inland Championships on the 1st /2nd June hosted at Northampton Sailing Club and kindly sponsored by P+B.

The forecast for the weekend is looking great with the rare combination sun and wind !

If turnouts at events early in the season are anything to go by we are hoping for a bumper entry this year, particularly with the event being centrally located for all regions.

It’s too early to call who the front runners may be, but promising performances have been noted at other events so far this season and with support likely to be from all across the country the challenge to be crowned Inland Champion could be from a number of individuals.

From the South Alister Morely, Mike Tustin and Nick Orman all have form and have consistently been seen at the top of the fleet.

The Eastern gang will no doubt provide a large contingent from the ‘Creeksea Massive’ with Bob Portway, Matt House, Chris Roberts and Phil Longley all with potential to pull off a winning performance and not forgetting ‘new boy’ Terry Crook.

The Midlands fleet boast three recent national champions, Harry Bridden, Will Gulliver and Andy Couch - last years winner. In addition John ‘Titch’ Wayling is currently showing pace and on home waters he could pull off the big one.  

Not forgetting the Northern contingent headed up by Adam Perry, Richard Knott and Ed Thomas who can all perform well.

The Inland Championships forms the first event of the P+B Phantom Midland Series consisting of five events including Carsington S.C.(13th July), Shustoke S.C. (22nd September) Blithfield S.C. (6th October)culminating at Graham Water S.C – Winter Championships  (26/27th October)   -   3 out of 5 events to count.

STONE PHANTOM EASTERN SERIES Open 27/28TH APRIL 2019

The forecast Storm Hannah delivered 40 mph gusts on Saturday 27th April so many stayed away but a hardy bunch of 8 Phantom sailors made the journey to Stone Sailing Club on the River Blackwater to enjoy the clubs excellent facilities and open water.  
The very experienced race officer Wendy Robinson cancelled racing for Saturday so it was a good opportunity to get the boats weighed and measured and certificates issued.  Some boats were a little on the light side and others surprisingly over weight so lead correctors went in and on some it came out!
After a bimble on the boats the gang relaxed and enjoyed the Grand Prix qualifying to fill the time before the evening curry night and beers.  John Wayling decided that Somersby Cider would be rocket fuel for the following days racing so consumed as much of the stuff as possible resulting in a  slightly heavy head as the sun rose into his camper van window on Sunday morning.  
Sundays forecast of 15mph winds gusting 20mph was a tad under the actual conditions.  The sailors stood on the sea wall and gazed out a white rollers and gusts hitting a force 6.  Undeterred the fleet were briefed by the Class Association secretary Phil Longley in his usual monotone booming voice and then Wendy Robinson took over and we all then understood what was going to happen.  4 races sailed back to back off the club line, with quick turn around and each race on average 40 mins.  3 laps were planned but in the end each race was shortened to 2 laps.  
The fleet launched and was surprised to see Matt House carrying out some last minute boat tuning on the beach hitting his rudder pintles with a house brick as the countdown commenced! It worked but he was late to the line.  Race 1 saw lots of the fleet all misjudging the tide and Terry Crook using some local knowledge led the way closely followed by John Wayling and Eric Howe.  The gusts were pretty strong at times and the course included two gybes so there were some nervous, tentative bear aways and sounds of screaming, but the fleet managed to perform the gybes without any issues. This soon changed!
The course was the same for all 4 races and it meant hugging the left shore as we headed West before crossing the strong outgoing tide.  Clive Morley pinched high and made some gains on the leaders before race 1 finished with John ‘the Cider man’ Wayling grabbing the first bullet of what would be a clean sweep at the event.  Mrs Wayling had promised John some treats if he managed to secure 4 bullets – she would live to regret those words!  Terry Crook finished second close behind with Clive Morley in third, with Eric Howe a close fourth.
Race 2 saw the entire fleet actually make it close to the start line at the gun and a tight beat between all the fleet with Bill Taylor and Bob Portway hugging the shore and making good gains.  John Wayling rounded the windward mark followed by Terry Crook and then Bob Portway.  This was how is stayed until the finish line as the wind grew stronger and the hiking legs were starting to scream please stop!
Race 3 and Terry Crook got off the line first and held the lead for lap 1 only to suffer gear failure half way into lap 2 that would end his event and John Wayling, just a whisker behind took the lead and again didn’t look back.  Bill Taylor fancied a swim at the gybe mark to test his fully breathable dry suit and stayed nice and warm but the hands and fingers were starting to feel the chilly northerly wind.  Bob Portway held off Clive Morley to take 2nd and Warren Martin sailing well into 4th.
Race 4 and Bob Portway pushed the limits and ended up OCS and the last dash of the day up the shore avoiding the tide saw Matt House putting the pressure on John Wayling who was now thinking about Cider again and getting back to the club house bar as quickly as possible.  Eric Howe felt sorry for Bill Taylor and joined him in a gybe and a swim.  Eric’s drysuit also worked as it should.  The race ended with Matt House close behind John on the line, then Clive Morley who had battled well despite being at the lighter end of the weight range and then Warren Martin gabbing a sequential 4th place.
Despite losing out on Saturday everyone had a great days racing in some testing conditions after the light winds at Alton Water and Fishers Green.  No microphone need for Phil Longley at the prize giving and the Stone Mugs were awarded to Bob Portway - Bronze, and to a surprised but worthy Silver award for Clive Morley.  John Wayling, who by now was reminding his wife of her promises, took Gold with 4 bullets and a dominant win.  A fine acceptance speech with thanks to Stone Sailing Club for a great bar, excellent food and well run racing.
The next event is the Inlands at Northampton Sailing club on the 1st and 2nd June followed by the next Eastern Series open meeting at Creaksea Sailing Club on the 15th and 16th June.

Optimum Watches Phantom Southern Traveller Series – Round One Bowmoor

By Olly Hopkins

20 Phantoms gathered for the first of the Optimum Watches Southern Series at Bowmoor SC with the promise of breeze and a chance to sail on the Mediterranean blue water. After the usual carpark banter and plenty of bacon baps the fleet were ready to hit the water.   

Race one started well with no one catching the OCS bug that turned out to strike most of the front  runners throughout the day. Up at the front Mike Tustin (Bowmoor) and Will Gulliver (Northampton) battled for the lead changing places throughout the whole race. With all the battling they seemed to have forgotten about Alister Morley (Salcombe) who managed to sneak through on the last beat to the finish line to take the win with Will in 2nd and Mike 3rd.

Race 2 Saw John Wayling (Northampton) and Will take the top places with Alister taking 3rd. By this time the OCS bug had really hit the chasing pack which meant that it was all to play for after lunch.

Race 3 got underway after the fleet had dined on the staple diet of the phantom fleet, Pie and Chips. A general recall showed just how eager the fleet were to get to the windward mark. John Wayling took the lead closely followed by Olly Hopkins (Bowmoor) who had Mike Webster (Northampton) for company. Sadly, for John ad Mike W they had now been hit by the OCS bug which meant that Olly took the win followed by fellow Bowmoor sailor Dean Griffiths in 2nd and Mike Tustin in 3rd thus completing a Bowmoor 1st 2nd and 3rd.

Race 4 saw John Wayling and Mike Tustin battling for the lead. Unfortunately for John he missed a mark and had to go back which allowed Mike and Alister to come through. At the finish Mike managed to hold off Alister and take the 1st with Alister in 2nd and John in 3rd. This was enough to give Alister the win overall in what was a tricky snakes and ladders style open meeting with each race being won by a different sailor.

The fleet met at the bar for some well-earned beer and cake to wrap up the day.

Top 5:

1st 1459 - Alister Morley – Salcombe

2nd 1438 - Mike Tustin – Bowmoor

3rd 1435 - Will Gulliver – Northampton

4th 1346 - John Wayling – Northampton

5th 1343 - Olly Hopkins - Bowmoor

Phantoms at Alton Water Sports Centre 23rd-24th March sponsored by Fox’s Chandlery.

16 Phantoms competed, to show that the fleet is very much alive and sailing in South East Suffolk, as in other places in the country.
The weather was positively benign compared with the previous few weeks,
with 8-10 knots predicted. The draw back was that this rather shift-prone piece of water became incredibly so, with wind shifts of up to 90 degrees making for a snakes and ladders experience.
1st to find more ladders than snakes was Bob Portway(1334), extending a snakes worth of lead over Adrian Coatsworth (1448) and Chris Roberts (1395).
In the second race it was Chris’s turn, although Adrian was a threat throughout, while Bob and Ben Falat were distant in 3rd and 4th.
3rd (last of the day) race saw the biggest shifts of the day. Having made a Port tack flyer on a huge Port lift, Adrian was able to consolidate when the wind lifted 90 degrees on Starboard. For the remainder of the race, the beat became a beam fetch, while the final reach of the square course became a beat. Moving up the fleet in the firmer wind, John (Titch) Wayling showed great speed, but was unable to break past Ben and Bob, having their own battle for 2nd. Ben held on for 2nd from Bob and Titch.
The following days’ 8-10knot WNW was also shot through with holes and huge shifts, and this time the beat being longer gave more ‘riding-the-snakes’ opportunities.
Bob again avoided the holes and headers better than most, to bag a 1st, while Adrian surrendered an early lead to end up 6th. Terry Crook(1464) was a new name near the front, with a 2nd, from Chris and Ben in 3rd and 4th.
Bob repeated the consistent progress to win the 5th race, and with Adrian 2nd, the overall result was still open between these two. Eric Howe (1404) looked to have had a good race, crossing 2nd, but the deafening silence confirmed his OCS status.
In the final race, a failed port flyer made Adrian’s chances look poor, while
Bob was content for Titch to blitz the course, for his 1st win of the weekend,
as 2nd place was easily enough for overall success.
The Phantom fleet is grateful to the Alton Water Sports Centre for the
hosting, and particularly to Race Officer Gavin Johnson and his assistant John
Glasspool for keeping a brave face on having to constantly adjust the course
to suit the shifting wind.
Also very grateful to Fox’s Chandlery for sponsoring the event.
We hope to be back next year, by which time there should be a Sailing Club
in existence at Alton Water.
Final results:
1. 1334 Bob Portway AWSC/RHYC 8.
2. 1448 Adrian Coatsworth AWSC 14
3. 1346 John Wayling Northampton SC 19
4. 1395 Chris Roberts Creeksea SC 24

Fishers Green Eastern Region Phantom Open meeting 6th April.

 The second event in the ever popular  Phantom Eastern Series took place on Saturday 6th April at Fishers Green Sailing club in the beautiful Lee Valley National Park near Waltham Abbey.

 The competitive fleet of 16 boats included the usual travelling circus of Creeksea SC boats, whilst the growing home fleet was supplemented by club members borrowing boats to join the event.  Travellers from further afield included Steve Popple from Shoreham who had taken a brave pill to join the Eastern Circuit at an inland venue.

Race officer Godfrey Clark and his stalwart team of assistants and rescue boat crews did a fantastic job dealing with running the racing for the Phantoms and their smaller single handed friends in the Comet class at this joint event.

The wind direction was predominantly from the North East but shifty and of variable strength.  Committee boat starts and additional temporary marks allowed good courses to be set and the racing format of four races with a lunch break allowed the fleets to enjoy an excellent hot meal and catch up on the betting odds for the Grand National.  

If the bookies had been running a book that on the Phantom fleet it's fair to say that they would have been pleased to see the strong showing in race one of outsider Steve Popple, who seemed to revel in the challenge of a more "intimate" water and showed well in the early running.  After very close racing throughout the fleet it was Matt House from Alton Water that made the race look easy and took the win from the bookies favourite and club mate Bob Portway. Paul Rayson borrowing Ken Daniels "Red Devil" took a well earned third place and must surely be scanning the adverts for a boat of his own.

Race 2 followed swiftly after the final Comet had completed their race and the quick turnaround was welcomed as the weather was distinctly chilly.  Despite a biased line meaning a late rush to the pin end, the fleet managed to get away and close racing swiftly resumed with borrowed local boats continuing to get amongst the leaders and showing great potential.  Bob Portway took a commanding lead and held on to win from Rayson with Creeksea's new boy Terry Crook in third place.

After lunch the start of Race 3 saw an over eager fleet well over the line towards the favoured pin end leaving the Race Officer with no alternative than to recall the fleet and let the well behaved Comet fleet enjoy the start of their racing in clear water.  The second start for the Phantoms got away cleanly and saw Portway win again keeping ahead of a challenge from Roberts and House.

The final race of the day saw one or two non-starters who felt that they had either suffered enough or wished to follow the horse racing in the comfort of the heated clubhouse.

Local boats were again making a good showing and it soon became clear that this was no flash in the pan when Cristian Hill sailing a beautiful classic Claridge woody belonging to Paul "Round the World" Bidwell took the lead and held off Roberts for much of the race to take the gun ahead of Portway, House and Roberts.

With two wins and two seconds it was a clear win for Portway with Matt House also clear ahead in second place.  The next four boats were separated by a nautical horses head of five points with Paul Rayson taking third place for the home club.

After racing the fleet were treated to a splendid free buffet and the thanks to the club of the respective fleet winners were echoed by all.

The next event on the Eastern Circuit is a two day event at Stone Sailing club on the Blackwater Estuary and is set up to be a "must do" event for the whole class.

Optimum Time Watches Phantom Southern Travellers Series Round 1 at  Bowmoor SC Saturday13th April

We start our Southern Travelling Phantom series with a foray to the Cotswolds again at  Bowmoor SC and we are expecting to see a few of the new boats that have been ordered over the winter. Anyone new to Phantoms this is a great place to meet the people with the knowledge to help you get started. Dont be shy you'll love it.
A relaxed club with recent new clubhouse, fabulous balcony and all the usual facilities .
It will be an 11.00 start and we have the water to ourselves.
See you there !!

2019 Phantom Class Midland Area Series

1/2 June - Inlands Champs  Northampton SC

13th July - Carsington SC

22nd Sept - Shustoke SC

6th Oct  - Blithfield SC

26/27th Oct - Winter Champs  Grafham SC

5 events – 3 to count

Phantom Class Northern Series 2019

Glossop 7th April
Leigh and Lowton 28th April
York’s Dales 16th June
Filey regatta 29th & 30th June
Delph 17th August
Pennine 22nd Sept
Southport 13th October

Eastern Series 2019