Phantom Inland Championships 2020 - Cancellation
As many of you will know the Phantom Association alongside Northampton Sailing Club were hoping to reschedule the Inland Championships in the autumn following the postponement in May this year. All was going well in the preparation to host the event in October, until the latest Government announcement on social distancing. At a Covid19/Risk Group meeting at NSC this week, the decision was taken that it would not be appropriate to go ahead with the event this year due to the changing circumstances and rules around social distancing.
Whilst this is a disappointing decision for the class, it is understandable.
NSC hope to welcome back the Phantoms next year.
The Association is now focusing their attention on the 2021 calendar of events which will be announced soon.
Phantom National Championships
25th – 27th September 2020
CANCELLED
It is with deep regret that the Phantom Association has reluctantly decided to cancel the National Championships, planned to be held at Rock Sailing and Water Ski Club in Cornwall at the end of September.
The Association has worked with Rock SWSC over the past few months to try and overcome the obstacles presented by the continuing Covid 19 pandemic. However, given the current Government guidelines, RYA advice and the future uncertainty, the class feels it would not be able to provide a safe and enjoyable experience at a National Championships this year. Our thanks must go to Rock SWSC for their endeavors into this years planned nationals. The Phantom Class will certainly plan a future event at the club in the beautiful water of the north Cornwall
The Phantom Class is celebrating its 50th Anniversary next year and will therefore be putting its energy into making 2021 a special year to remember, with plans to provide a National Grand Prix Super Series and well as its National Championships at Stone Sailing Club in the autumn.
Phil Longley
Chairman
Phantom Class Association
Phantom National Championships - Update
Over the past few months the Class Association have been considering the ever changing position of the Covid 19 restrictions and hoping they will be lifted enough to be able to run our planned National Championships at Rock Sailing Club at the end of September.
The recent poll with members of their intentions to attend the event has been well supported and is helpful information. Our thanks to all those who responded both on Facebook and by E mail.
The committee apologises for the delay in communicating our review, which continues to take longer than expected, due to the changing situation.
At this point in time, Rock S.C. are still keen to host the event but we are awaiting a response as to their detailed risk assessment and plan on how they will organise all aspects the event. They have just cancelled the B14’s and also Camel week, so the outlook seems bleak, but we hope to find a solution.
Once this plan has been shared with the committee will decide if the National Championships can be safely held in line with the Governments Covid 19 regulations and the current RYA guidance which the plan must support.
This decision will be definitively made and communicated by the 1st August at the lastest.
We are passionate about our class, love of the sport and will continue to work hard in delivering what we all wish for ...... A safe and enjoyable National Championships.
Our thanks for your patience in these difficult times.
If you have any questions and want to contact us directly feel free to share your thoughts with John will collate all the responses (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to share with the Committee.
Phantom Class Association
EVENTS UPDATE
The Class Association has been carefully considering how the class returns to racing and the impact that of the Corona Virus on future events.
The current restrictions are such that clubs are unlikely to be able to host events and in this regard the current regional events should be reviewed on a club by club basis. The regional representatives will keep members advised of any updates on the status of any forthcoming events.
Similarly the proposed National Championships at Rock Sailing Club in September are going to be reviewed at the end of June. This will involve the Committee and Club considering how any restrictions will impact on the viability of the event.
In this regard it is easiest to regard the event as neither on or off. A decision will be made at the end of June and members advised accordingly.
Looking to future events the Committee has been working hard to secure future Nationals venues and dates. At this time of uncertainty we hope that these are of interest and will allow you to plan ahead.
In particular the class will be celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary next year and the Nationals will be returning to Stone SC on 17-19th September. In addition to this consideration is being given to a European Event in 2021 (most likely Medemblik) and again more details will follow on this in due course.
Following the Dinghy Show which we were fortunate to be able to conclude before the lockdown period there has been a marked increase in interest in the class. This has been seen in increased membership of the Facebook Class Association Group and the associated sales page. Boats are now selling quickly and there is a demand for most styles of boat ranging from woodies to the latest boats. Ovington report that new boats are being ordered and they are maintaining a stock boat as required by the Class Association.
If you do have spare gear or a neglected boat then now would appear to be an ideal time to move them on.
Phantom Inland Championships 6th/7th June - POSTPONED
It is with regret that the Inlands Championships at Northampton Sailing Club have been postponed.
Due to the governments social distancing measures and the fact that the club has no access to the water, which is still closed.
NSC and the class are hopeful to host the event later in the year.
Phantom Class Information Booklet
Updated Phantom Class Information Booklet now available - Click Here
New South East Region
Following discussions with "interested parties" it has been decided to try splitting the existing Southern region into two regions - South East and South West. The rationale is that the distance between Downs SC and say Salcombe is just as great as that between any Northern or Midland events.
Richard Cumberbatch will remain the representative for the South West region, whilst Chris Shelton (Downs SC Phantom 1211) has kindly volunteered to act as the initial South Eastern representative.
The initial aim is to run a limited number of events in the region to gauge interest and hopefully form a cadre of travelling sailors. Remember, it's important to support away events if you want sailors to visit your club when you want to host an event....
The initial plan envisages the following events:-
12th/13th April - Shoreham SC (Easter regatta)
16th May - Downs SC (practice/training)
17th May - Downs SC (open meeting)
13th/14th June - Felpham SC (regatta)
3rd October - Broadwater SC (joint with Southern region)
Remember that the regions are not exclusive to one another and you can "pick and mix" to suit your own location.
Hopefully this will give all Phantom sailors something to look forward too in the coming season!
Phantom Class at 2020 Dinghy Show
To start off the year the class will be exhibiting two boats at the RYA Dinghy Show at Alexandra Palace on 29th February / 1st March. Stand F34.
Having not attended for a couple of years, we thought that it was important to show our faces again and promote the class.
We will have two boats on the stand, one being a brand new Ovington boat that is going to Tim Platt of the growing Broadwater SC fleet whilst the second is an Ovington hull completed by JJ Boats, with a deep cockpit well and low buoyancy side tanks.
Come and see us.
