11 Phantoms arrived in Minnis Bay on a glorious Saturday morning for the penultimate event of the 2011 Phantom Eastern Series. As forecasted the wind built during the morning getting up to 6-8 knots for the first start at 12. With a pin end bias line Ian Miller and Clive Morley attempted a port end flyer but got swept back into the pack on the line, local sailor Mike Speller in a borrowed boat got away well only to find he was over the line. The standard pattern for the weekend then started with a tussle at the front between Ben Falat and Tyler Harmsworth, with Falat winning the first race.
Race 2 started with a little more breeze and soon settle down into the normal format only for Morley to upset the apple cart by finding a nice shift up the second beat to take a large lead at the windward mark, this lead was then promptly lost as quickly as it was found on then next windward leg allowing Falat to take his second win of the day. Race 3 started with more breeze with Matthew House and Rod Thorpe now in the action taking 3rd and 4th respectively.
The fleet return to the shore to find the tide had gone out and a long walk back, but was helped by drinks and snacks in the dinghy park. A wonderful phantom sized meal was served in the club house and washed down with plenty of beer and Jagerbombs!
Sunday morning arrived with the weather playing ball again and sticking to the forecast of a building southerly so the race office stuck to a windward leeward course. Race 4 and Harmsworth started to enjoy the stronger winds taking the win over Falat with Miller and House close behind, positions 5-8 were contested all the way to the finish line with Morley finding his way back from a bad start to take 5th from Chris Shelton with Mike Stone taking 7th and Tim Harris 8th.
Race 5 and Morley was also enjoying the conditions leading the fleet around the windward mark and enjoying some close racing with Harmsworth and Falat. This time Harmsworth lead home only to find he was over the line.
Race 6 and the breeze continued to build, Harmsworth and Falat were playing who can slow each other down the most leaving the rest of the fleet the chance of a win. Shelton lead the first lap and never looked back to take the win, with Falat 2nd and Harmsworth 3rd, giving Falat the over win.
A great weekend of very close racing throughout the fleet, with an excellent race team, many thanks to all at Minnis Bay Sailing Club.
The Estern Series now moves onto Hickling Broad for the last event of the season with all to play for.
