Phantom - Optimum Time Watches Southern Travellers Series at Paignton SC.
By Douglas Powell
So round 3 of the Optimum Time Watches Phantom Southern Series rolled into Paignton and we were greeted by sun, sea and singlehanders for Paignton’s successful yearly regatta (POSH). Phantoms from Shoreham, Burghfield, Bowmoor, Wimbleball and Royal Plymouth arrived including several where this was their first event in the Phantom.
Saturday was a non-event - the breeze was up/down, and going left/right which made the PRO job almost impossible, so after a few attempts we all headed back to the beach. That night the club laid on a great curry and local beer which went rather quickly – Steve P made a trip into town later and returned to his B&B in the early hours, only for that to result in him unable to sail Sunday!
So onto Sunday – the PRO had made the decision to amend the S.I to allow as many races as possible and to move a little further offshore to get more consistent wind. A ‘short’ wait which allowed the phantoms to do some boat comparing and rig measuring while the high tide / swell prevented launching and then we were off.
Race 1 - The Phantoms shared the start with Lasers, Europe’s, Aero’s and D-Zero’s which made the line a little crowded, but Simon Hawkes, Doug Powell and Ivan Walsh shot off upwind and rounded in that order. Places stayed the same till the next upwind where Ivan got ahead of Doug. Simon was by this time well ahead and won. The battle for second lasted till the last few metres but in the end it was Doug second & Ivan third.
Race 2 – Doug led upwind from the start, but was slowly reeled in by Simon who rounded the windward mark first and stayed there. Doug was second and Ivan third.
Race 3 – See Race 2
Race 4 – Simon messed up his start and was buried under several rows of boats! Doug, Ivan and the others had a chance! Looking behind, Simon eventually got clear and hit a corner. Approaching the windward mark there was a new name in the mix; Jon Cooper, he had found 5th gear and was right there. With a 150 mtrs to the mark it looked like Doug, Jon and Ivan would round in that order, but Simon had other ideas…. All alone on the left hand side it had paid off and Simon was a 100 mtrs ahead of anyone else! Doug hit the windward mark and decided to “at least beat Simon to the shore” and retired. Ivan and Jon battled around the course and it was Ivan 2nd and Jon 3rd.
So Overall - Simon Hawkes 1st, Doug Powell 2nd and Ivan Walsh 3rd
For the Southern Series Simon now has a firm grasp on the lead with wins at Wimbleball, Frensham and now Paignton – who will catch him?.
The Phantoms would like to thanks Paignton Sailing Club for laying on a great event and the Race Officer & his team for incredibly getting in 4 great races on the Sunday. See you next year.
The Phantom’s have a busy year in 2016 with regional travellers series in the East, South, Midlands, North and Scotland + a UK wide Grand Prix Series of 6 events including the Nationals in Sept. If you weigh 90-120kg then simply ‘get a Phantom or it will haunt your forever”. www.phantomclass.org.uk