Nationals Championships sponsored by Speed Sails. The forecast for the 3-day weekend looked ominous with the gale force winds predicted to continue throughout. Despite this the total entry was at record levels of 86 with probably the most competitive fleet ever assembled. 8 former National Champs were there covering all but one championship win back to 1996, with only Jim Hunt sadly missing through ill-health, plus several other Champions from other fleets present.

Many of the fleet arrived Thursday to sample the local hospitality and Simon Heusen’s excellent curry night.

Day 1 was delayed as the wind tried to settle, and the surprised fleet eventually launched into a Southerly force 2 ! Race 1 took a few attempts to get the over-eager fleet started, resulting in notable names of Couch and Hawkes appearing on the BFD list. When the race got underway Charlie Cumbley, Simon Childs and Dave Guthrie broke clear with Nick Craig moving through to third and just failing to catch Childs down the reach into the finish. Race 2 saw a better-behaved fleet soon underway in similar conditions, and the BFD club of Andy< Couch and Simon Hawkes leading the fleet up the first beat. Cumbley and Craig were soon back amongst it and had Couch hanging on at the end for a predictable top 3. The evening’s entertainment was provided by Lisa Harmsworth getting the Cheeky Vimto rounds going nice and early. Always a Phantom/Lyme speciality, to wash down a buffet meal, then a cameo display from Simon Feilden in the home made “mankini” as a “stag moment”.

Day 2 was windy, with the south-westerly wind crashing big waves into the Cobb, a good number decided to spectate / get in the bar early. The fleet was launched by the superb race officer Tim Parsons on time. Race 3 saw Lawrence Crispin off to a flying first beat never to be seen again, Couch, Will Gulliver chased him home at a distance. Notable casualty was Craig with a broken main halyard, while a Cumbley swim put him 4th. Race 4 saw the black flag catch Cumbley and Simon Potts, leaving Gulliver, Couch and Crispin again battling it out at the front. Gulliver’s upwind pace gave him the lead with just the run to go but Crispin broke through to win from Couch and Gulliver.

Race 5 capped off a massive days sailing in the Force 5+ wind and enormous waves. Just surviving downwind was an achievement, you needed to be well locked in to the straps for the ride! Craig was up for the challenge and pulled away to a decent lead from the chasing pack of Couch, Gulliver and Cumbley. With the wind increasing a notch, the race was shortened down the second triangle. Craig piled into the back of a wave and cartwheeled in leaving a surprised Couch to win, followed by Gulliver. Cumbley was upside down at the last gybe mark leaving Crispin to take 4th behind the recovered Craig. Potts and Childs tacked round the gybe mark and whooped down to the finish to round out the top 6.

As normal the Phantom fleet, was soon ready to eat and drink. The Club laid on another superb spread of food, and once we were kicked out of the Club bar at closing time the fleet adjourned to the Cobb pub for an impromptu doubles pool competition until the early hours.

Gale force winds and massive seas greeted competitors on Sunday, so the days sailing was cancelled leaving Andy Couch National Champion for the third time from Two Score Cup winner Lawrence Crispin and Nick Craig third. Will Gulliver finished fourth ahead of Childs and Cumbley. Ben Falat won the half-ton cup and Tony Fastnedge the veterans, Thomas Tindall claiming the Under 21 prize. The Speed Sails prize draw was won by Simon Hawkes who becomes the proud new owner of a tapedrive sail and a generous array of spot prizes donated by Seabrook developments was spread amongst the fleet. Huge thanks to Lyme Regis Sailing Club for their fantastic on and off-water organisation and hospitality, lets get back to frighten ourselves on those waves again soon.

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