Phantom Training Day and Open at Northampton Sailing Club - Preview
by Mike Webster 2 Jun 10:02
Event Date: BST16-18 June 2023
Phantoms at Northampton © Northampton Sailing Club
Another year, another two day open, proceeded by a training day at Northampton to look forward to.
Hold/book the date:
- Friday 16th June - Training Day
- Saturday / Sunday 17th/18th June - Phantom Open
With many Phantomers keen to make a long weekend of it, the club will be open to visitors for the regular Thursday evening club racing (7.00pm start) followed by a hearty evening meal provided by Martin and Sarah our in-house caterers.
Details are now set and the club are excited to host a Phantom Training Day commencing at 11.00am with an onshore boat set up and tuning session followed by on the water coaching and sprint races to practice starting techniques and boat handling skills. Coaching, which is free to Phantom Class Members (£20.00 for non members, which happens to be the subscription fee to join the association !!) will be provided by no less than four experts, keen to pass on their knowledge and proven expertise. Including Phantom aficionado - John 'Titch' Wayling, P&B's - Isaac Marsh (Race Officer for the event), current Inland Champion -Rob Cook and past Inland Champion -Simon Hawkes !
That's a lot of knowledge to tap into, don't miss out.......
The open event over the weekend, sponsored by P&B, will be a great opportunity to put into practice those newly honed skills and techniques and perhaps test out some go-fast rig settings !
Those familiar with Northampton Sailing Club will know it's a great venue set in beautiful surroundings and friendly atmosphere. Camping and full catering is available on site over the whole long weekend with a bookable evening meal on Friday and Saturday evening providing the perfect setting for the well-known Phantom social scene.
Full entry details are now available on the club website with NoR and SI's to follow soon at northamptonsailingclub.org
We are looking forward to welcoming familiar faces and first timers to NSC from across the regions to support the growing home Phantom fleet.
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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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South Eastern Phantom Open - Shoreham - 9&10th April 2023
Report written by Chris Shelton
The first event of the 2023 Phantom South East Traveller Series took place over the Sunday and Monday of the Easter weekend at Shoreham SC. The entry was very disappointing with only 4 Phantoms, but as the Open Meeting was being sailed within the club’s Easter Cup series there were plenty of boats on the water in total. A combination of family commitments and an unfavourable forecast was probably the reason for the poor attendance.
Sunday’s wind was exactly as forecast, a South Easterly F2, but what was not forecast was the sea mist, which meant at times you could not see the harbour wall on the other side of the entrance. This left the Race Officer no option except to postpone and hope that the mist cleared enough for sailing to take place. After about an hour the visibility was slightly better and the committee and safety boats launched to assess the situation in the course area. The message came back that racing was on and the fleet launched just after midday after having to wait for a ship to enter the harbour.
The RO set a traditional triangle-sausage course and the fleet got away cleanly for Race 1. On the first beat the Phantoms of Ivan Walsh, Chris Shelton and Mark Spruce were all close together. Phil Popple was a little way behind having got tangled up with a National 12 on the start line. At the windward mark it was Ivan, then Chris, then Mark, but there was not more than 100 yards separating all 3 boats. The positions stayed the same until the second beat when Ivan fluffed a tack allowing Chris to overtake. It did not stay like this for long and Ivan was soon back in front with the boats rounding the windward mark in the same order as the first lap. The boats stayed in this sequence for remainder of Race 1 with Ivan finishing first, Chris second, Mark third and Phil fourth. For a South Easterly wind that you would expect to be coming right across the open water of the English Channel it was very shifty. The shifts were generally not that sudden, but could move 15 to 20 degrees at times. The strength was also up and down a bit but there did not seem to be any pattern to the variations.
Race 2 was soon underway and this time all 4 Phantoms were off the line cleanly with very little difference in boat speed. Different boats crossed ahead of each other until about the final third of the beat. At this stage Chris picked up a beautiful lift and rounded the windward mark not only well ahead of the other Phantoms, but also ahead of the faster Merlin Rockets. Phil was second round the windward mark and Ivan third. The shifts on the first beat had not gone in Mark’s favour and in the end he decided that an early shower was the best option. Places amongst the Phantoms remained the same for the rest of the race and although Phil was catching Chris slightly, he was still second at the finish.
As the visibility started closing in again the boats returned to the harbour. Back in the clubhouse the discussion was centered on the forecast for Monday when two more races were scheduled. Unfortunately the forecast turned out to be correct and with a steady F5-6 with stronger gusts on top, coupled with heavy rain and limited visibility, the RO made the sensible decision to cancel Monday’s racing.
That left the overall result based on Sunday’s racing:
Thanks must go to Shoreham SC for persevering with Sunday and achieving two really good races. The course was laid well and waiting between races was kept to a minimum.
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Phantom open meeting at Bowmoor Sailing Club
by Richard Nurse 2 Apr 19:48 BST1 April 2023
April 1st saw ten boats travel through some small floods to reach the club where a strong home turnout of eight awaited for the 2023 Bowmoor SC Phantom open meeting.
Sailors gathered in the clubhouse for breakfast and briefing as buoys got twisted into place for what would not be the last time of the day. The fleet quickly got afloat on the tropical blue water.
Race one got away, and it was Richard Sims who led the fleet around the windward mark but in the game of snakes and ladders, it was the local of Charlie Samson who would pull through and take the gun followed closely by Chase SC rep Adam Froggatt.
Race two followed quickly after and was once again it was a battle between Adam and Charlie at the front, with Charlie once again coming out triumphant.
Now time for lunch, the fleet headed for the club house as the result was undertaken, the wind flicked 90 degrees but as the fleet returned to the water it moved back 45.
Race three got under way, Adam lead most of the race but made an uncharacteristic mistake and was Charlie that once again take the line honours. With first and second now determined, the final race was no change with Charlie and Adam leading the fleet.
Prize-giving followed where Charlie thanked all involved in the day.
Next up on the Phantom calendar in Shoreham next Easter Sunday and Monday. After that the Inlands hosted by Chase in Staffordshire on the 22nd and 23rd April.
all photos © Stephen Tanner
all photos © Stephen Tanner
Overall Results:
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Phantom Open Meeting and Training at Ardleigh Sailing Club
by Eric Howe & Ben Falat 17 Mar 09:23 GMT
Phantom Open Meeting and Training at Ardleigh © Lee Kelly
The first Eastern Area Phantom Open event of the year took place at Ardleigh Sailing Club over the weekend of 11th and 12th March and attracted a dozen boats from across the region.
Our hosts at Ardleigh gave us a very warm welcome - which was surprising as Saturday morning was absolutely freezing. Luckily the sun made an appearance from time to time and there was only a gentle breeze.
Racing would not start until Sunday but 12 Phantoms lined up on the bank for the start of a training day organised by Matt House, one of our hosts from Ardleigh and Chris Roberts long time class supporter and Creeksea Sailing club tweaking expert. Also in attendance was Richard Nurse from class supporters Pinnell & Bax.
The day's session started with a quick check of boats for any "tweaks" that were thought necessary. The first recipient of such advise was Simon Robinson whose mast was notably stood up in the line up of boats. After a quick rake measurement and adjustment of shrouds and lowers his boat was soon sporting the oh so fashionable fully raked look. After a good hour of chatting and fiddling with boats everyone knew exactly what to do so we hit the water for some much needed start practice.
Matt and Chris went out in the RIB and they split us in to two groups. After two short windward-leeward races to get everyone back in a racing mode the principle exercise of the day started. Each flight was requested (okay, shouted at a bit) to get onto the start line with a minute to go and hold position before the start. This is a particular challenge in the Phantom with it's raked rig and large mainsail and some managed better than others on the first attempt.
Boat control and the ability to "pull the trigger" were the objectives and by the second start it looked like the lesson was being learnt. As a reward for their efforts a longer race to give a tour of the reservoir rounded off the day.
I'd rather not say anything about my own precision starting or anyone else's but we were all rusty and Ardleigh likes to interfere as much as it can as well. Great fun, no pressure and got everyone in the mood for Sunday. I would like to thank them from all of us for giving up their time to do this on a very nippy day.
On return to the club the fleet were delighted to tuck into muffins kindly made the day before by Matt's wife Maureen. After some had a crafty nap, whilst others watched a game of Rugby, the fleet gathered again at the local hostelry the "Wooden Fender". This is a perfect Phantom diner as the food portions were huge. I went for the one pound steak and kidney pudding and plenty of beer as the forecast for Sunday was a fresh breeze. A great end to a great first day back in the boat.
Sunday started much, much warmer but as we all signed on at the start hut and looked out across the blackened streaky race course all 12 of us knew what was coming. Ardleigh takes no prisoners in strong gusty wind. It can veer from so many directions and strengths, you never feel settled in the boat and if you do settle it will take you down in the blink of an eye.
Joining in on Sunday was stalwart Eastern Area sailor Ben Falat from Waveney and Oulton Broad. His assumption that perhaps he didn't need any training advice was perhaps prophetic.
The plan for the day was to have three races back to back with two races of around 45 minutes duration to match the club races and a longer third race to make sure the Phantom sailors were completely exhausted.
The race officer for the day was local Solo sailor Steve Ede and he was ably assisted by his partner Sam. It was looking like one of those days where being the Race Officer looked like it may be the warmer sensible option.
The start of the first race saw with a sizeable veer and several boats appeared stranded at the start to leeward of a bank of trees. Having got away into the main open area of the reservoir the shifts also hit home with a freshening breeze making for a game of snakes and ladders. The leaders battled it out in a three way battle between Richard Nurse, Matt House and Ben Falat.
Richard & Matt were always a step ahead and had a very close battle with Ben trying to get within touching distance but not quite making it. The leaders finished in that order and the fleet generally had plenty of place changing and weird moments of being becalmed or pummelled by the downward blasts of wind over the dam wall or banks.
The second race got under way in a similar manner with those attempting to start at the far end of the line finding that the trees were preventing a clear run at the line and those starting at the club end of the line having too much wind. At the last moment Richard Nurse and Chris Roberts were able to coax their boats forward onto the line and set off into the main race area whilst the rest of the fleet struggled to get away.
A theme to the days racing should by now have become apparent. It was shifty, it was gusty, it was lully (is that a word? - it should be). Showing their mastery of these conditions it was again House, Nurse and Falat who pulled through to the front and had a real ding-dong battle.
Eventually during the second beat Ben who was lying in third place enjoyed a very personal lift-and-gust to get into the lead (even Eric trying to track Ben was to be denied the full Ben-efit) and whilst Richard put up a late challenge and crossed the finish overlapped it was Ben that had sneaked it with Matt House in pursuit only four boat lengths behind.
The final race had been planned as a longer race but by now the wind had built up further and several helms decided that enough punishment had been taken for the day. Eight boats did however take to the line and provided some cracking entertainment for the spectators. Perhaps due to a lack of "match fitness" or the increasing unpredictability of wind strength and direction there were to be more capsizes and retirements in this race.
Having missed out on the Saturday starting practise (ahem..) Ben took an otherwise good start but couldn't tack off and was held-on away from the favoured side, watching both Richard and Matt disappear into another postcode and resume their personal battle. Whilst apparently contemplating retirement Ben nevertheless hung-in since 'anything' could happen in the unsteady windy-to-calm conditions.
And so it was.... first to swim was Richard, letting Ben into 3rd. Richard then obligingly threw in a 2nd and 3rd capsize and decided to call it a day. Meanwhile with no-one challenging him Ben pursued his own course to reel in Matt and sure enough on a third round bear away Mat capsized, head butted the boom and went for a swim.
Ben, perhaps "slow-n-steady" as maybe are most Grand-Masters (70+), consequently took his second win which gave him the meeting with two wins to his credit.
Finally mention should be made of Creeksea Sailing Club member Lee who joined us this weekend and took some great drone footage in what can only have been the toughest conditions possible. Footage has been posted on the Eastern Area Facebook group for those that wish to observe the shifts for themselves.
The next event in the Eastern series calendar is at Stone Sailing Club on Saturday 29th April.
Results
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Phantom Southeast Traveller Series 2022
by Chris Shelton 10 Nov 09:16 GMT
Phantom class South East Traveller Series at Lee on Solent © Kevin Clark
The Phantom class South East Traveller Series started this year at Easter where the class joined in with Shoreham SC's Easter Cup races.
Conditions were pretty much perfect on the Sunday morning as 8 Phantoms sailed out of the harbour to join a mixed fleet of 23 other boats. Steve Popple quickly showed everyone that he had not forgotten how to sail over the winter months, taking two bullets with some impressive boat speed. Monday morning dawned very light, but after a short delay the fleet launched in light winds that built gradually during the day. Steve was still fast and won Race 3 which gave him the overall win for the weekend. Chris Shelton won Race 4 and was second overall, whilst Mark Spruce was third.
In May the fleet travelled east to Downs SC at Deal. The wind gradually built during the Saturday and by the time the fleet launched there was a good southerly F4-5 and a north flowing tide. This meant long beats against the tide and fast downwind legs around the trapezoid course. Steve Popple again showed good speed to take 3 first places this day before the tired sailors returned to shore to enjoy a well earned BBQ.
Phantom class South East Traveller Series at Downs - photo © Brian Mumford
On Sunday morning the wind was still southerly, but much lighter and this time the tide was flowing south. This meant that the beats were relatively quick, but the downwind legs were very slow. Paddy Denby seemed to like these conditions taking 3 first places whilst Steve was struggling in the light airs. Paddy also had good results on the Saturday which meant that he took the event overall, with Steve second and Ben Falat third, who had travelled all the way from Waveney & Oulton Broad.
June saw the fleet travel even further east to the picturesque Broadstairs SC, although F5 winds meant that there were not many sunbathers on the sandy beach. Wind against tide produced some fair size waves and the order of the day meant staying upright to be at the front of the fleet. Most sailors managed two races, but at the end of Race 3 there were only 2 finishers. If the sailors were hoping for a more restful day on Sunday they did not get it. The wind was even stronger, but with the tide flowing in the opposite direction the sea was slightly flatter. A much depleted fleet took to the water and Mark Spruce seemed to like the conditions taking two first places. However with only 2 boats left racing and the conditions worsening the sensible decision was made to abandon the final race of the day. Only 1 point separated first and second overall, but it was Chris Shelton first, Mark Spruce second and local sailor Al Baker third.
Following a slight break, the fleet re-convened at Lee-on-the-Solent SC at the beginning of August. Held jointly with the South West region this event attracted a larger entry of 12 boats. The wind was a total contrast to Broadstairs with very light and extremely shifty conditions over the whole weekend. The racing was very close with plenty of place changes but in the end it was generally the same bunch of sailors at the front of the fleet, and at the finish line it was normally Martin Watts (Netley SC) first. Martin achieved 4 bullets over the 6 races to give him first place overall. Second was John Wayling from Northampton with Nigel King (Lymington Town SC) third.
The final event of the series was held at Broadwater SC in the middle of October. The only inland venue of the series, this normally attracts a good entry. However this year a number of sailors were down with Covid, and a forecast for strong winds meant that there were only 9 boats. It was a day of big gusts and big shifts which resulted in quite a bit of swimming practice for some sailors. Four races back-to-back took it's toll, but at the end the first two boats were level on points and the result had to be decided on count back by the winner of the last race. This gave local sailor Leigh Riddell first, 2021 National Champion Ian Stone second and Jeremy Deacon third.
Overall the series attracted 33 different sailors, some of whom travelled considerable distances to compete. A big thank you to all of the clubs who hosted the events and also to Dover Trussed Roof Company who donated tankards as prizes for the overall results. Before the final event any one of 3 sailors could have taken the overall result, but as usual, consistency of attendance paid off with the sailors who attended most events being at the top of the overall series results. Overall it was Chris Shelton (Downs SC) first, Mark Spruce (Lee-on-the-Solent SC) second and Steve Popple (Sussex YC) third.
Congratulations Chris
Overall Results:
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Burton Sailing Club Phantom Open and Midlands Series Overall
by Mike Webster 8 Nov 15:06 GMT23 October 2022
The final event of the HD Sails/Ceildeh Phantom Midlands Traveller Series took place at Burton Sailing Club on the 23rd October.
The autumn storms had been rolling in over the week leading up to the event with the prospects of more over the weekend. That didn't deter the 16 Phantoms made up of 7 visitors and a great turnout of 9 home boats and would have been even higher if 5 other regular racers had been able make the event, but half term put paid to that.
As with most inland venues the water levels were down leading to gusty conditions, but the RO set some short lines and weaving courses providing extremely close racing in all four races.
Race 1
Mike Webster - Northampton SC leading the fleet round the course from the first mark being pushed all the way by Carl Gibbon - Burton SC with some close covering needed for most of the race, however Adam Froggatt - Chase SC pulled through the fleet and with a leg to go took the lead and line honors, with Mike and Carl finishing very close behind.
Race 2
A different battle at the front of the fleet between Carl and Rich Nurse - Northampton SC, Sam Hirst - Burton SC and Josh Hyland - Chase SC. The short legs rewarded good boat handling and looking outside the boat for the big gusts across the lake. Carl managing to hold off Rich with Sam finishing ahead of Josh. A hearty lunch was had by all with the sailors being met by a ray of sunshine after a morning of rain.
Race 3
A true start line made it competitive at the off with Adam leading at the first mark followed by Stuart Turnbill - Burton SC and Mike. As the race progressed Adam and Stuart pulling out an unassailable gap with Adam finishing a leg ahead of Stuart and Carl managing to take 3rd place ahead of Mike.
Race 4
The final windward/leeward race made it all to play for with five possible helms able to take home the chocolates. Rich, Sam and Mike leading at the windward mark stretching out down the run with Carl and Adam back in 5th and 6th. As the race continued it was cat and mouse between the three leaders with changing places up wind and downwind. On the final run Sam leading went right, Rich took the middle and Mike aimed left. By a whisker left paid allowing Mike to take the line a boat length ahead of Rich and Sam putting in another top three finish. Adam and Carl having their own battle with Adam claiming a crucial and event winning 4th place.
With only 3 points separating the top four positions demonstrating how close the days racing had been. Congratulations to Adam on winning the event and an impressive second open in a row, clearly getting used to his new Phantom and one to watch next season!
Overall Results:
HD Sails/Ceildeh Phantom Midlands Series Overall
After the final event at Burton SC the closely contested 2022 Midlands Series was concluded with a total of 50 helms taking part, from a range of 21 different clubs. The series this year has been a great success but always looking for more local Midland club sailors top take part. It’s a great way to meet fellow ‘Phantomers’ from outside your own club and learn and develop your skills from experience but friendly sailors.
The series had a mix of regular racers, guest appearances for other classes, new faces in the fleet and the challenge of Inland Championships included in this years mix. With 7 events making up the programme and the generous two event discard the overall results were as follows:
Congratulations to Rob Cook – Northampton Sailing Club on winning the series doubling up with his overall win of the South West Series too !!
A huge thank you to Taxi @ HD Sails and Ceildeh Carbon Spars for again kindly sponsoring the series and for providing the much sought after tee shirt prizes. With plans already being put in place for next years series , soon to be published the class can look forward to more great sailing across the Midlands in 2023.
Congratulation to Rob Cook - Midland Series Winner
Midlands Series Overall Results:
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