Phantom News

2023 Phantom National Championship at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club - Overall

by Mark Spruce 18 Sep 06:34 BST16-18 September 2023

 

2023 Phantom Nationals at Abersoch Day 1 ©Peter Hawkins

2023 Phantom Nationals at Abersoch Day 1 ©Peter Hawkins

2023 Phantom Nationals at Abersoch Day 2 ©Peter Hawkins

 

2023 Phantom Nationals at Abersoch Day 2 ©Peter Hawkins

Well, "That's a wrap" as they say in Pinewood, the Tinsel Town of the south of England. Up here in Abersoch, on the beautiful Llyn Peninsular (which surely, must have been used as a film set in the past?) the lights have been turned off, the dollies dismantled and the scraps of cut tape brushed off the editing room floor.

Luckily, the important tape was safely in the can - 5 races sailed over 2 days of mixed conditions allowing every one to shine for the cameras. No excuses - we had great race management and superb, friendly hospitality from everyone here at the South Caernarvonshire YC.

The fleet rose today to see a glorious 15-18 knots blowing in the bay - massaging sore muscles and ruing that "Just one more beer" the night before. Who could have predicted then, 'THE ONE' "Not normally like this" combination of the Easterly wind direction and high spring tide that made it impossible for the launches to safely come alongside the club jetty to take the race management and safety boat volunteers out to their boats on the offshore moorings?

2023 Phantom Nationals at Abersoch © Mike Webste

2023 Phantom Nationals at Abersoch Day 2 ©Peter Hawkins

A postponement for an hour simply delayed the inevitable with large waves still crashing on a totally water covered stone jetty under the club balcony.

"Cut" was called, A over P hoisted and the Prize Giving organised in the cub bar, allowing those who were leaving a more leisurely drive home to the four corners of the UK and N. Ireland.

Prize winners in the 2023 Phantom Nationals at Abersoch - photo © John Wayling

The results stay the same as the night before with Harry Briddon, after a 2year sojourn from the class, taking a very well earned and popular victory. His score line belies his achievement - it wasn't easy and his races were hard won - even he reported sore legs after yesterday's hiking - hope for us all!

Second was Nick Orman (Note to self - name Spelling?). A previous young firebrand in the class, he displayed immense sailing maturity and consistency to recover from a broken kicker in Race 2 to continue to fight to the silver step of the podium.

On the bronze step of the podium(but standing equally tall) was man-mountain, Martin Watts. I predicted a possible win from him before this event started and he nearly did it - who knows what a further 2 races in 15-18 knots today might have brought?

"Magic" Mike Webster took fourth and the Vets prize along with it and in 5th was rising star from the South-West, Jon Rickard. Extremely fast in the wind when he could utilise his long levers, I'm sure a winter of working on his downwind technique will see him on the podium very soon.

That's it for now - I'm sure there will be a full report with who did what, shift by shift and tack by tack, bar karate but I'm off the SCYC Bar to watch the rugby. The Welsh won last night - now it's time for England to shine in the glow of the Cherry Blossoms - wish me luck!

The show is over for the Phantom Nationals 2023 - long live Sunderland Phantom Nationals 2024!

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Phantom nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

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