WALTON & FRINTON SPINLOCK PHANTOM GRAND PRIX

“As Last Race Winner Sullivan Takes The Spoils”

By Warren Martin and Ian Sullivan

The Spinlock Phantom Grand Prix series supported by JJ Boats and Allen Brothers moved to Walton & Frinton Yacht Club in the heart of the beautiful backwaters of Swallows and Amazons fame. The 17 assembled phantom sailors had things other than exploring the muddy creeks and tributaries on their mind (though some became a little more familiar with them than they would have liked).

Saturday dawned fine and bright with a good 15 knot breeze. The Race Officers Chris Brooke and John Sewell planned an Olympic triangle/sausage course in Hamford Water in champagne sailing conditions. Race 1 had a clear start and Matt House showed how consistent he was going to be staying clear of the chasing Daren Pike and Ian Sullivan to take the win. Places within the mid fleet changed regularly with Pete Shuttleworth and Phil Longley leading the rest home.

Race 2 - After a delay to allow the Race Committee to reset the course after a wind shift, Matt and his Alton Water sparring partner Bob Portway reacquainted themselves with the latter taking the win after a closely fought battle. In the increasing wind the mid fleet positions had the added excitement of the odd capsize non more critical than Pete Shuttleworth who’s inadvert swim just before the finish gave Martin Jenkins the starboard advantage over Warren Martin allowing him to squeeze by. A little further back, the classic woody sisterships of Simon Hipkin and Dale Jones were proving that well sailed phantoms of any description can provide competitive racing when in big fleets.

Race 3 was to be a beat to the windward mark followed by a reach to a spreader mark off Stone Point at the entrance to the river and a drag race back to the club against the wind and tide. Matt House pulled off a great port tack start and was away opening up a big lead at the turn for home. Unfortunately for him Ian Sullivan reveled in such conditions performing a ‘slow death’ by cutting Matt’s lead bit by bit on every tack and taking the lead with only 150 yards to go. The rest of the fleet tacked back and forth against the fast flowing and rapidly draining river adding extra motivation to keep going or it would be a long walk home. Daren Pike, Paul Church and Bob Portway rounded out the top five.

Shoreham Open - June 13-14

Come and play in the waves!

Shoreham Southern Series Phantom Open 13-14 June 2015

First Race 2pm Saturday

BBQ and free camping included in the entry fee

SSC Phantom Open Entry Form 2015 web

Report - Bough Beech 2015 Eastern Series

10 Phantom helms rigged in bright sunshine with two races before lunch in 15 knots of steady breeze to look forward to. Matt House took line honours in both with Chris Roberts banking 2 seconds.

Following a proper Phantom lunch the fleet set off in what seemed a slightly fresher breeze. Matt took this in his stride and banked another couple of bullets in part due to his blistering downwind speed and sound tactics to ensure victory overall.

Exmoor Beastie at Wimbleball Sailing Club

The Exmoor Beastie 2015
To be competed for on 22 March 2015 at Wimbleball Lake – start 12.00.

Kindly sponsored by Exmoor Ales who have a brew of the same name.

Beastie_notice_of_race 2015

Phantom Grand Prix Series 2015

Building on the success of the existing regional events and after much consultation within the fleet the Phantom Class Association has today launched the Grand Prix Series 2015. The events are:-

11-12 April Leigh & Lowton

30-31 May Creaksea

27-28 June Filey

11-12 July Weymouth Regatta

18-19 July Walton & Frinton

4-6 September Nationals @ Minnis Bay

4 October Bartley

14-15 November Inlands @ Ovington Inland Championships

Large fleets are expected at each event and they complement the existing regional open programme so you should expect close racing, a friendly and helpful fleet and a great social. The events are aimed at providing close racing throughout the fleet and will attract a mix of abilities so will suit if you are new to the fleet or a seasoned campaigner.

So if you’re looking for close racing and a top social visit the following for more information:-

http://www.phantomclass.org.uk

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Phantom-Class-Association/185619844788307

We look forward to seeing you at an event during the year.

Phantom Open at Crosby SC on Sunday 12 October 2014

Hi to all Phantom sailors,

Just two weeks to go until the Phantom Open at Crosby SC on Sunday 12 October 2014 – the last event of the Phantom North 2014 series, sponsored by Standards Plus Ltd ( www.standardsplus.co.uk ).

Crosby is an interesting place to sail – a marine lake just behind the sand dunes, so we get Westerly sea breezes with flat water which is great for speed. Crosby SC ( http://crosbysailingclub.com/ ) is quite easy to find, postcode L22 1RR, in north Liverpool and is close to the main roads. The changing facilities are modern, clean and warm.

Bartley Phantom open meeting Meeting 19th OCT 2014

Click here for Notice of Race Bartley phantom notice of race 13th oct 2014

Phantom Class Association

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