Phantom Inland Championship at Chase Sailing Club
by Mike Webster 28 Apr 09:43 BST22-23 April 2023
Phantom Inlands 2023 © Chase SC
Just shy of 30 boats arrived at Chase SC to a very warm welcome and organized crew of volunteers for the two day Championships.
With an impressive line up of helms it promised to be a thriller and didn't disappoint, resulting in one of the closest contested championships seen in recent years. The depth of quality in the fleet continues to grow around the country with many new faces challenging the stalwarts of the class. The weekend was to see six separate race winners (more on that later) proving the event was wide open.
The wind was an improvement on the forecast with a variable 8-10 knts on day one with a little less forecast for day two. Race Officer - Graham Flynn briefed the competitors with an anticipated four races back to back on the Saturday making the most of the breeze.
Race 1
With a surprisingly clean start Martin Watts - Netley SC, a self confessed sea sailor nailed the first beat, leading the fleet round the course. This pond sailing is easier than he thought, stretching his lead, but with a menacing pack of half a dozen boats ahead of the main fleet keen to prove him wrong.
It's not over till the fat lady sings and the final beat provided a cruel lesson for Martin as the chasing pack sailed on a 30 degree lift allowing Adam Froggatt - Chase SC to sneak past to take line honors closely followed by Rob Cook - Northampton SC. Martin managing to hang onto third with Ben Hawkes threatening in forth. Pond sailing isn't that easy after all !!
Phantom Inlands 2023 © Chase SC
Race 2
The short start lines over the weekend and shifting bias proved challenging for most, with the Black Flag coming into play testing the nerves with front row heroes, middle row minders and third row losers. Rob making his presence known this time leading at the windward mark closely followed by Adam and Carl Gibbon - Burton SC. The leading group of six boats clear ahead of the fleet pushing each other making most of the passing places on the shifty beats and patchy pressure on the long down wind legs. The rest of the fleet having very close racing, with mark rounding's a major place changing opportunity. Carl sailed well to take his first bullet with Adam and Rob following close behind in second and third. Ben Hawkes - RAFSC/ Snettisham Beach SC consistent with another forth place.
Race 3
The Black Flag made its appearance again, this time claiming Northamptom team mates Mike Webster and Richard Nurse onto the white Board. "Hard to believe there were only two numbers " was their cry. But with some confusing starting/flag sequence issues their on the water protest to the race team was noted...... to be continued off the water!
The racing fleet looked on in amazement as Simon Hawkes - Wimbleball SC took full advantage of a tiny gap at the pin end to make an impressive port end flyer, crossing the fleet with a big smile. Mark Spruce - Lee on Solent SC played the shifts beautifully to round first at the top mark holding on until the long downwind leg with Rob and Carl showing their pace with Martin, Simon and Josh Hyland- Chase SC all close behind. Rob taking his first bullet of the day, making an impressive 2,3,1. Carl claiming second place from Martin with Josh sealing forth.
Mike and Richard were both on the naughty step later in the evening with the protest committee in full swing, headed up no less by current Phantom National Champion Andy Davies deliberating over the starting sequence issues. Both were exonerated being awarded redress with average series points for race three.
Phantom Inlands 2023 © Chase SC
Race 4
The Race Officer took advantage of the holding breeze to sail the forth race After a clean start Rob sailing consistently up the beat again lead at mark one with Mike on his heels who was like a coiled spring after sitting out race three pulling through to the lead after the first leg with Rob uncharacteristically dropping back through the chasing pack lead by Ben. Richard also fired up, pressed into third place but Mike continued to extend his lead finishing a leg in front of Ben, Richard and Carl.
Moira Nash, daughter of Brian Taylor the co-designer of the Phantom made a welcome appearance to greet the sailors ashore having enjoyed watching the days racing and chatting with the fleet into the evening.
After a full days racing the sailors and volunteers were ready for some liquid refreshment and supper courtesy of the local fish and chip van parked on site.
Entertainment for the evening was proving by local band 'The Interpreters' - a rock, soul, rhythm and blues and ska punk genre with a big helping of reggae, kicking off the night with 'Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll' along with many well known classics ' Is Vic there' (Titch... no she wasn't) 'London Calling', 'Lip up Fatty' to name a few. But before the main act Mike took to the stage, holding the mike... were the crowd in for one of his famous karaoke renditions? Thankfully no!
Instead announcing the free pints were being awarded to the 'First to the Windward Mark' for each race courtesy of Rob Cook. Take a bow Martin, Mark and Rob.
In addition 'Dick of the Day' had plenty of nominations and the award goes to... Sorry, what happens at the Inlands stays at the Inlands.
A great evening was had by all, always an important part of the Phantom Sailing scene with a rare sight of Phantom sailors dancing to the cracking tunes, 'Madness' attracting the older generation to the floor with the younger end of the fleet amazed the oldies knew all the words !
With a few sore heads Sunday morning commenced with a hearty breakfast from the cheery galley crew. Overnight leader Rob was looking good looking to pick up where he left off but with consistent performances from Adam, Carl and Ben it was going to be a tense day in the light and shifty breeze.
Phantom Inlands 2023 © Chase SC
Race 5
To shake up the front runners Jim Hopton - Shustoke SC hit the shifts up the first beat to clear the windward mark several boats lengths ahead of the next boat. The light airs and patchy pressure was a tricky combination, Jim joining the pressure to extend his lead to nearly a full leg, was there no catching him? With the fat lady still hanging around Ben, Adam and Carl knew not to give up and in another cruel twist as in race one, Jim lost his huge lead on the run and final beat allowing Ben to take his first race win of the weekend followed by Adam and a disappointed Jim in third.
Rob showed his first poor result of the weekend finishing in eleventh praying for a final race to allow the discard to come into play and Adam a thirteenth including a DSQ from the previous day surely out of the running now but with a point to prove.
Race 6
Race officer Graham Flynn and the team set and reset the line and windward mark waiting for the forecast breeze to appear. After a number of repeated postponements the pressure eventually arrived having veered ninety degrees.
Another Black Flag ensured a clean start and rounding the top of the course this time Duncan Adams - Burton SC showing the fleet his transom with Richard, Josh and Jim all pushing for a top three.
Adam, Rob, Ben and Carl had other things on their minds all knowing the points were so tight at the top that the final race positions could be crucial on count back if the points tied. Duncan became the sixth and final race winner of the weekend, Richard and Josh saving their best till last in second and third with Jim punching up into another consistent forth.
Another protest delayed the results testing the nerves and the leaders all doing their own calculations. In the end the top three places tied on 18 pts but with the count back Rob Cook did what he needed to do in the final race finishing ahead of his competition and becoming the 2023 Phantom Inland National Champion.
Congratulations to Rob Cook - Northampton SC on taking the title at the third time of trying and to all the competitors for providing a very close and competitive championship.
Rob thanked Chase Sailing Club for hosting the very successful event and in particular the Race team, safety team, protest committee and probably the best organized shore team not forgetting amazing galley and bar teams.
Thanks were also made to Pinnell & Bax for their sponsorship of the event and generous prizes provided.
Overall Results:
To see more picture of the Inlands... click on this LINK
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