Phantom ‘50^th Anniversary’ National Championships – 2021

sponsored by Allen and Seabrook Developments

Notice Of Race - Click Here

The Phantom Class commemorates it’s 50^th anniversary this year, originally launching onto the sailing scene in 1971. The memorable year of decimalization when Clint Eastwood starred as Dirty Harry “do you feel lucky…. punk “, Rod Stewart was singing Maggie May on Top of the Pops and a pint of beer cost a whopping 16p…… 3s-3d in old money!!

Paul Wright and Brian Taylor the designers of the Phantom dinghy wanted to produce a single hander that was exciting to sail, easily managed and affordable to build. This design concept not only produced on all these points but has also stood the test of time against many modern designs and still remains one of the most popular single-handed classes.

The one design performance single hander has a hard chine with a deep ‘v’ bow and flat aft section making it a joy to sail upwind and thrilling to sail off wind with its easy planning and stable shape. The light weight hull (61 kg) has progressed through all forms of construction from wood, GRP to the now super stiff composite epoxy sandwich. The new lightweight carbon rig also provides the opportunity for a wider range of crew weights.

The Phantom has been a prominent single hander over the last 50 years even with stiff competition from other modern designs and the class has continued to grow and has seen a surge in popularity in recent times. It not only provides a great and competitive sailing experience but the class the prides itself on being a friendly and social group, always supporting and encouraging new members and keen to party.

To help make 2021 a special year celebrating the classes 50^th anniversary, a national regatta series has been introduced with four events spread across different regions of the country and a special National Championships in September which will be going back to its roots in the south east of England.

The class are please to announce the 2021 Phantom National Championships will be hosted by Stone Sailing club between the 17^th-19^th September and are delighted to again partner with headline sponsors Allen Bros of Southminster in Essex, who are no stranger to the Phantom Class and have over the years, been keen supporters for Phantom sailing across the country. The Allen Brothers company has grown in the past 60 years plus, to become a major exporter, selling high-performance sailing hardware to the UK and the rest of the world. The event is also sponsored by Seabrook Developments  from South Hanningfeild which is a  Construction company building on over 25 years’ experience that provides building services to the food processing industry. 

Entries are already close to 70 boats and sailors are looking forward to a long weekend of festivities and close racing with some familiar faces in the line up together with a few new ones to shake up the fleet. The event is such a draw there is even ex national champions that last sailed the boat nearly 10 years ago throwing their hat in the ring, but, who knows we could be looking at a new name on the trophy this year.

For those keen to get started early, Thursday will see some on and off the water training, measuring and tweaking and of course the traditional Thursday night curry and a few pints ….. unfortunately not at 16p !

Friday brings the start of the Championships with registration, briefing followed by two back to back races, not forgetting the obligatory AGM and evening meal. 

Saturday morning commences with Champagne breakfast (sponsored by Seabrook Developments) then back to business on the water with 4 races. The evening will see a 50^th Anniversary Championship three course dinner in 70’s style dress.

Sunday starts with bacon rolls and the final day of racing with the overall prize giving to follow.

Although the discounted entry has been missed, its still not too late to enter and join in what will be an epic event

Our thanks to our sponsors :

Headline Sponsor - Allen Bros  - ‘lots of sailing stuff’

Headline Sponsor - Seabrook Developments Champagne Breakfast, special phantom anniversary wine.

Designers family Wright and Taylor – 50^th Anniversary trophy

Age group and classic boat prizes

If anyone has a spare boat and happy to lend out please get in touch with the class, as there are lots who would keen to take part in this special event.

With a busy weekend ahead if anyone is attending but not sailing or can pop along we could always do with volunteers to help with launching/ recovery or on the safety boats, if you can help in anyway then let us know

All we need now is a great forecast to make the championship even more amazing celebrating Phifty Phantastic Years  !

Creeksea S C Phantom Open meeting 24th 25th July

For many, the highlight event of the Eastern calendar - the Creeksea open meeting.
 
Creeksea Phantoms look forward to welcoming you and a great weekends sailing.  The entry is likely being over 20 boats.

For those visitors that haven't been before please view the club website for directions (it's pretty straightforward - head for Burnham on Crouch but turn off sign posted Creeksea (Ferry Road) just before the town sign...).

The website also has a course card for printing off and laminating etc....

We look forward to welcoming you all from Friday evening..

With a guaranteed good entry from the home fleet and many confirmed visitors this is a must do event.

The NOR is below but I'd add that camping is available at the club, a trip to the CSC fleet sponsors (The Polash Indian Restaurant) is planned for Saturday night and the legendary free beer (courtesy of the home fleet sailors) will be available on Friday (BBQ) and Saturday,( if there is any left).

With a good forecast and high water in the afternoon it looks like a real classic event.  Fingers crossed!

If you've never been to the club please consider attending.  We are pretty unique.

In fact if there ever was a festival of Phantoms then this would be it!!

Creeksea Sailing Club
 Ferry Road, Creeksea, Essex CM0 8PL

 2021 Phantom Open Meeting
Notice of Race
24th and 25th July
 Entry Fee £20
 Saturday
 Briefing 11:00am
 Race 1 11:30am
 Race 2 Back to back
 Lunch
 Race 3 Approx 2pm
 Sunday
 Race 4 11:00
 Race 5 & 6As directed by Race Officer

 Conditions of Entry
 The wearing of buoyancy aids is mandatory.
 All helms are to exercise their own discretion in respect of and whether they are capable of sailing in the prevailing conditions.
 
The provision of support boats or any safety equipment either afloat or ashore is neither a guarantee that assistance will be rendered to any competitor in need, nor acceptance of any responsibility for rescue of competitors. Support crew will not be responsible for any damage to boat or injury persons.
 
Racing will be in accordance with the ISAF Racing Rules, the RYA prescriptions and sailing instructions.

Creeksea 2021 Open Meeting Entry Form

Creeksea 2012 Open Meeting Sailing Instructions

Phantom National Events 2021 - Online Entry

Discounted entry Deadline extended to 15th August

http://www.phantomclass.org.uk/events/phantom-national-events-2021-online-entry

Weymouth Regatta 3rd - 4th July 2021 Report

A toned-down event due to ongoing Covid restrictions saw 14 Phantoms entered for the 2021 Weymouth Regatta sponsored by Dorset Boat Works and Beat Racing.

Day one saw a SW force 3 and the decision of the race officer to take us right across Weymouth bay with the sail to the start area being the longest sail that many competitors had seen for a while.

A well-set start line and U flag from the off prevented any startline shenanigans and the fleet set off on what was to become a monster day.

The windward mark saw Ian Stone, Simon Hawkes, Henry Ayres and John Wayling round in no particular order at the front of the fleet.

Sailing a trapezoid, sausage course, Nick Orman did some good work downwind and Ayres quickly slipped backwards as he tried to remember how to sail.

The course was horrendously long and the race went on forever.  Orman, sailing a new boat, slipped back as he got to grips with it and the final result was Hawkes, Stone and Wayling.

Then a few things happened that changed the course of the result.  The wind increased and Simon Hawkes decided to try a bit of sly pig.  But as he pulled it on broke the mast lock and the sail came down. With such a long way into the club that was the end of his day and he joined Paul Birbeck who had not made it to Race 1 with the same issue.

Race 2 the sadistic race officer shortened the length of the beat but the damage was already done for many.
Another even start and the lead boats quickly put distance on the also rans with Alex Knight Improving from 4th to 3rd and Nick Orman getting control of his boat and head and improving quickly to second with Ian Stone taking the win.

Race 3 and even more wind and now quite lumpy and the war of attrition continued with Ian Stone breaking his kicker.  The fleet was now pretty much banging the corner and the beats could have featured at about level 7 in Dante's inferno.
With Stone now back in the pits Orman stepped up to take the win with Rob Cook continuing his improvement throughout the day to take 2nd after a brutal hike off with Wayling who secured 3rd.

Then a long sail home to share Ibuprofen and war stories.
A subdued evening as most of the fleet were exhausted and the Football was on.

Day 2 dawned thoroughly miserable with a lot of aching bodies but as the Ibuprofen took effect the day brightened and we launched into a gusty force 2 - 4 for a further scheduled 3 races but this time in Portland Harbour.

Starting choices were slightly more challenging with those going to the pin looking good at the start of the race but the boats that went right gained further up the track with favourable shifts.  The wind was very shifty at the windward mark.

With both Stone and Hawkes returning to the fray, the finish order was Stone, Hawkes and Orman.

Race 5 saw less of a choice on the startline but managing the shifts and the traffic from other fleets was essential.  The wind was slowly building throughout this race with a few epic battles going on throughout the fleet as the sailors threw their tired bodies into the penultimate race.  The finish order was the same with Stone firmly taking control but Hawkes pushing him the whole way.

A few sailors headed for home as the last race beckoned and the wind continued to build.

A busy windy beat saw Stone extend but Hawkes, Birbeck and Ayres round the windward mark in close proximity with Orman a little behind as he struggled to hold the boat down.  As the fleet rounded the windward mark the wind increased to survival levels and things started to get really tasty.

Orman Capsized giving Birbeck and Ayres the opportunity to cash in a podium position for this race but Ayres bottled it downwind citing exhaustion.  Orman caught Birbeck but every time the fleet turned downwind he fell in on the gybe and then had to catch up.

Thankfully a wind shift made the dead run in 35kts a broad reach and after a very lively sail, the result was Stone, Hawkes, Orman, Birbeck with Ayres taking la Flamme Rouge as the final finishers of the entire regatta.

A low key covid prize giving saw Ian Stone thank Castle Cove Sailing Club, the Regatta organizers and the race office and his crew.

A fantastic event very much enjoyed by all that took part.

Results
1. Ian Stone
2. Nick Orman
3. John Wayling

Full Results https://halsail.com/Result/Public/55031

P+B Phantom Inland Championships

5TH/6TH June - Northampton Sailing Club

As the first weekend in June loomed, Phantom sailors from around the country were eagerly viewing their wind apps in the hope that the wind gods were aware it was the long awaited P+B Phantom Inland Championships.

Summer had arrived and along with it, high pressure and light winds !
This didn’t deter the 40 online entries heading to Northampton Sailing Club with it’s 420 acres set in the beautiful countryside of Northamptonshire.

The fleet were keen to get together, to meet up with old friends and new. A handful arrived early on Thursday afternoon for the long weekend event, participating the club evening racing.

Friday was a planned training day as a pre-curser to the main event.  John ‘Titch’ Wayling supported by Simon Hawkes and Mike Webster delivered some onshore boat tuning, exchanging ideas on rig and boat set up. This was followed by on the water coaching for the fifteen Phantoms, the light winds providing perfect conditions for practice roll tacking and gybing and finishing off with numerous short line, windward/leeward races. The debriefing session watching the go pro footage over a glass or two of the local Timothy Taylors brew was always going to be a success !

Saturday morning saw many more Phantom arrive for the midday start and thankfully the light wind forecast for the weekend didn’t deter most.  The Race Officer - Neil Barford briefed the competitors, advising  a postponement until the much anticipated  5-7 mph westerly arrived in the early afternoon. Due to the Sunday forecast looking even lighter, it was decided go try and race four out of the planned six race event  on the Saturday.

Race 1 saw Mike Webster round the windward mark first, but was soon passed by Rob Starling who led the fleet around the trapezoid course. The difficult condition of small pressure bands and dead patches made life difficult for the sailors but Rob Cook closed ranks on the leader and managed to squeeze past on the last short beat to the finish line. Rob Starling smarting in second with Chris Shelton and Miles Odel in third and four respectively.

Race 2 commenced after a quick turnaround with the leading boats sniffing out the light pressure patches ahead of the rest of the pack. The downwind legs being particularly nervy when the fleet bunched together, desperately trying to avoid the killer holes in the wind. Simon Hawkes took the lead from Mike Webster only to have a brain freeze heading to the wrong mark on the last lap, gifting Mike Webster the bullet, Simon Hawkes a frustrated second and Benveluto Fallet taking third, with John ‘Titch’ Wayling in forth.

Race 3 commenced in the same light and shifty conditions proving difficult for some to get the much sought after consistency. Clear starts and finding pressure were the key ingredients to success.
Rob Starling again made his presence know at the front end of the fleet with lots of movement and exchange of places, Rob Starling this time converting a first place closely followed by Charlie Chandler and Martin Watts with Simon Hawkes again punching into the top four.

Race 4, the final race of the day made the most of the fading pressure.  A discard now in play changed to potential leader board and consistency was still the critical factor in who would come out on top after day one and the thought in everyone’s mind that there might not be a day two ! The fleet eager to get started were too keen for the Race Officer, who deemed a General Recall. The fleet got away the second time with only one casualty of the ‘U’ flag. Despite the continuing light and shifty wind, some familiar faces were at the front again proving it wasn’t all luck picking out those patchy shifts of pressure.
For the first time in the day the Race officer decided for three laps, which added pain to the sailors already aching knees. Simon Hawkes again dominated taking the winning gun followed by Rob Cook in second, with Richard Sims and Jim Hopton picking up third and forth.

Sunday dawned with the lake looking like a mirror, with occasional breeze filling in from all directions. A short postponement was made but it was inevitable
there would be no prospect of acing. The abandoned flag was duly hoisted drawing a close to the event. 

Congratulations to Simon Hawkes who became the 2021 Inland Champion following a set of remarkably consistent results, never being out of the top five in difficult conditions……..  He clearly knew what he was talking about in the Friday coaching sessions  !!   

Thanks were given to Northampton Sailing Club for hosting the event and to Pinnell and Bax  for kindly sponsoring the championships and providing great prizes.

Mike Webster

NSC - 2021- Phantom Open - 5 - 6th June

Northampton Sailing Club

Results are final as of 14:07 on June 6, 2021

Overall

Sailed: 4, Discards: 1, To count: 3, Rating system: PY, Entries: 34, Scoring system: Phantoms NSC 2021 scoring system