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Coastwatersports Phantom SW Travellers Castle Cove Sailing Club

by Richard Cumberbatch 22 Jun 22:01 BST18-19 June 2022

 

Coastwatersports Phantom SW Travellers at Castle Cove © Mark Richardson

 

As a late addition to the calendar Castle Cove SC opened up their club cup event to the Phantom class to help us fill the June hole in our regional series.

A breezy forecast, late starts and Covid all impacted the attendance but four visitors, from as close as Lyme Regis, and as far away as Northampton, joined two club boats for what transpired to be a rather breezy event.

Two races were scheduled for Saturday, but with the anemometer reporting gusts of 28kts by the end of R1 the days proceedings were halted and Rob Cook was leading the Phantoms overnight.

Winds had eased by the next day to a more civilised, but still lively, 16 - 24 kts. Rob picked up where he left off and led everyone round for the first of Sundays races to be the first Phantom home again.

R3 and Nick Orman led at the first windward mark and ultimately to the finish line, with much place changing behind him. Simon Heusen came in second with Rob in third. It was getting closer at the top. The afternoon racing took it's toll on the size of the fleet with many needing to get on the road - after all, let's not forget it was first and foremost a club event. Nick and Simon battled to the end resulting in Nick, Simon and Rob all netting 7 points in the extracted results.

Nick took the overall win on countback with Simon second and Rob Cook coming in third. Coastwatersports vouchers are on their way to the top three.

Many thanks to Coastwatersports for supporting our series this year and to Castle Cove Sailing Club for allowing us to share their club event.

This was the third event in our five events series. With two events to go - Lee-on-Solent and Broadwater SC, one coastal and one inland - there's something to suit everyone. It's all still to play for and the current standings are listed further below.

 

Castle Cove Event Results:

SW Traveller Series Results to date: (2 events still to go)

 

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HD Sails and Ceildeh Masts Phantom Midland Series at Northampton Sailing Club

by John Wayling 8 Jun 11:03 BST4-5 June 2022

Oli Hopkins in the Phantom Midland Series at Northampton © Kevin Hall

Fourteen sailors attended for the third of the seven-event Midland Phantom Series, sponsored by HD Sails and Ceildeh Carbon Masts.

The forecast had been looking "Fruity" for most of the week and Saturday did not disappoint with a consistent breeze of +20 knts. It turned out to be a "Cocktail" of shifts and "Banana" bends, with some vegetables thrown in for good measure. With the Jubilee celebrations in full swing across the country the Phantom fleet were buzzed by a low flying Spitfire display.

The race team of Neil Barford and Paul Busby set an excellent inverted "Pea" course round the large "Orange" P&B inflatables, and race one was off to a prompt start. The start was all clear and the leading bunch split to either side of the lake and converged on the top mark with Ian Stone - Maidenhead (sporting his new Morgan Sails logo and what proved to be a quite quick sail) rounding just ahead of John Wayling - Northampton and Mike Webster - Northampton.

Phantom Midland Series at Northampton - photo © Kevin Hall

The first reach was a good opportunity for a rest as the hiking legs knew they would need it later in the day. Mike managed to get past John on the run by playing the shifts where John had his survival hat on and ran straight for the mark. The race would finish in that order. Ian, extending his lead with the Northampton "Pear" Mike and John second and third, with Tom Gissane - Bowmoor closing the gap rapidly in fourth.

Race two was the same inverted P course although it had been adjusted by the race team, to counter the clocking left breeze. Again a clean start by the fleet with another Northampton boat showing his pace: Ian took his second bullet and Rob Cook - Northampton in second with Mike in third.

Race three saw a change of course with a tactical windward-leeward almost the full length of the lake, and although the banana bends were still there, Ian found a discarded skin at the first mark sailing off to the reaching mark! He quickly saw his error and managed to recover the lead position to record a clean sweep of bullets for the day. Rob carried on showing his consistent speed with his new cut P&B offering and Mike finishing a consistent third.

Brian Webley in the Phantom Midland Series at Northampton  - photo © Kevin Hall

After three 45 min races with less than 5 mins between each one the fourteen sailors returned to the shore for a well-earned meal and a few pints of the very popular Timothy Tailor Boltmaker. The sailors were in need of some sustenance which was provided in great quantity, in both food and liquid form.

Perhaps this was a mistimed event given the nation's Jubilee celebrations, which saw some of the regular attendees to Northampton missing this year. Unfortunately Team Bowmoor had to return home that night along with Mike due to family commitments. That left a slightly depleted fleet on Sunday morning.

The morning arrived with legs feeling like lead and yet the breeze looked less from the shore, or was that just hopeful thinking! It turned out to be another full out hiking day with a quick series of three 45-50 minute races to complete the event.

Race four was another clean start around a re-set inverted P course and what was to be normal service resumed, with Ian taking his fourth bullet but under severe pressure from Richard Nurse - Northampton in second and Rob in third.

Race five started quickly again and saw a record fifth clean start for the fleet. This time Rob managed to hold Ian off for two laps but was finally caught. So Ian could claim his fifth win, Rob with another consistent second, Rich in third and a rapidly improving Carl Gibbon - Burton finishing fourth.

Mike Blunt wins First Classic in the Phantom Midland Series at Northampton - - photo © Kevin Hall

Race six and the final one of the day, again switched to a windward-leeward course; the start was not clean this time and the culprit was Rob, who had been pushing the line all weekend. He was in trouble and completed a 720 to clear himself of another infringement only to be told halfway up the beat he was OCS.

The runs suited Carl but Ian helped by sailing the P course again and was never to recover fully, finishing third with Carl taking a well-deserved race win and Richard the second place. The results were ready in record time thanks to the efforts of Graham Wilson and Kev Hall, who were also running one of the safety boats.

A great event all round and congratulations to Ian Stone (the class current National champion) for winning the event. Ian did the traditional 'Thank You's to a well-run event and Northampton SC's race team, galley and bar, our sponsors HD Sails/Ceildeh.

We all look forward to our next Midland event which is at Draycote Water on 9th and 10th of July, the class' 2022 Inland Championships. Other events coming up: Broadstairs 25th/26th June (South Eastern Series) and Glossop 26th June (Northern Series).

Mike Webster in the Phantom Midland Series at Northampton  - photo © Kevin Hall

Overall Results:

First Classic: 952 - Mike Blunt -  RYA
Endeavour Prize: 1242 - Steve Hawley - Bartley SC

Phantom Midland Series at Northampton  - photo © Kevin Hall

 

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Phantom South Eastern Series - Downs Sailing Club -  21st/22nd May 2022

Visitors came from Norfolk, West Sussex, Middlesex and more locally from Broadstairs to join the small home fleet at Downs, for Round 2 of the Phantom South Eastern Series.

As the boats rigged on Saturday morning the sun was shining and there was a F3 south westerly wind. However when it came time to launch the sea breeze had built and the wind was now SSW F5 with plenty of white tops on the water.

Race 1 started just as the flood tide started and it soon became apparent that the beats would be hard work against the tide. Paddy Denby lead around the first mark closely followed by Chris Shelton. These places stayed the same until just before the windward mark on the second lap where Paddy had a quick swim allowing Chris to take the lead. However on the third beat Steve Popple moved up through the gears to take the lead. At the finish it was Steve, Chris and then Paddy.

Race 2 was quickly underway in much the same conditions and this time there was no stopping Steve who lead from start to finish. Paddy was second and after a close battle between Ben Falat and Chris, Ben managed to pull ahead and finish third. Further down the fleet the weather conditions were taking their toll with broken kicking straps, broken halyards and other damage forcing retirements. However special mention must go Tom Field from Broadstairs who battled around the course despite several capsizes

The wind moderated slightly for the start of race 3, but if anything the flood tide was even stronger now. However this did not seem to bother Steve who once again scored another bullet, Paddy was second but this time it was Chris who succeeded in the Ben/Chris battle for third place.

The tired sailors returned to shore to enjoy an excellent BBQ (with plenty of seconds if you were hungry), live music and liquid refreshment.

The sun was shining again on Sunday morning, but the wind was a much more gentle southerly F2. The morning start meant the tide was ebbing and today the sailors would be beating with the tide. Despite the tide pushing the boats towards the line race 4 got away cleanly and at the windward mark it was the usual trio of Paddy, Steve and Chris, but these three were closely followed by the rest of the fleet. The trapezoid shape course meant that there was a long run against the tide and this leg gave plenty of opportunity for place changing enabling Ivan Walsh to come through and take the lead. Another quick beat and then the long run again, at times having to dodge Streakers who were sailing a shorter course. This run benefited both Paddy and his brother Tim who both passed Ivan to finish in the order of Paddy, Tim, Ivan.

Race 4 was soon underway with another clean start, and at the windward mark it was all very close between Paddy, Steve and Ben. Down the run Paddy managed to pull ahead, but behind there were plenty of place changes with Dave Patrick looking good at one stage. However at the finish it was Paddy first, Steve second and Ben third. This meant that the final race would be a showdown between Steve and Paddy for first place overall.

At the start of race 6 there was a second gun, this meant that somebody was over the line, but none of the boats turned back. Whilst it was mostly familiar faces at the windward mark, Tony Cook was also going very well and overtook Paddy on the first long run. However Paddy had the bit between his teeth and by the second time at the windward mark was back in the lead. Steve and Chris were not enjoying the light conditions and this enabled Ben and Ivan to challenge Tony at the front of the fleet. Paddy finished first which would give him the event overall, however when Tony crossed the line there was silence, he was the boat that was OCS at the start. Ben was second and Ivan third.

Congratulations must go to Race Officer Brian Mumford and his team for getting in six races in varying conditions over the weekend.

Thanks also to all of the Downs Sailing Club volunteers who gave up their time over the weekend to man the safety boats, beach-party, canteen, bar etc. to make the event a success.

 

RESULTS:

Report written by Chris Shelton

 

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Phantom Eastern Series open meeting at Creeksea Sailing Club

by Bill Taylor 20 May 13:36 BST

Phantom Eastern Series open meeting at Creeksea - photo © Diane Roberts

One of the favourite events on the Phantom Eastern circuit saw Creeksea Sailing Club welcome early travellers on the Friday night who took full advantage of the free beer and BBQ that the home fleet had provided.

The 14 strong fleet on Saturday morning saw not much breeze to start with, so the race officer Edwin Buckley soon flew the postponement flag till he was sure the wind had filled in. After about an hours delay the wind had filled in just enough to get the sailing under way but the normal up river course could not be used because of the wind direction, so a course between Burnham marina and the club was set.

Making a good start Warren Martin was first round the windward mark but was "engulfed" by the following fleet on the run up river.

After a tight battle it looked like Bob Portway had managed to pull out enough of a lead to keep ahead of Graham Dale Jones on the run to the final mark off the club before a final short beat to the line, however, Chris Roberts and Terry Crook were able to better judge the point at which to head up for the mark against the tide and rounded to finish in that order with Dale Jones in third.

 

Phantom Eastern Series open meeting at Creeksea - photo © Diane Roberts

Well fed and watered after lunch the fleet returned to find that a nice 10kt breeze that had filled in. The start of the 2nd race saw an opportunity for Bill Taylor to get a port tack flyer over the fleet only to let Titch overtake on the beat whilst Roberts pulled through to third and the trailing pack from 4th to 9th came over the line together giving the race officer a battle to decide the finishing places.

With the same course as the second race, the third race was under way with an even stronger wind filling in with Bob Portway becoming the third winner of the day with Roberts in second place ahead of a delighted Mike Stone.

That evening the fleet retired to an Indian restaurant in Burnham for curry, a few beers and a detailed debriefing session.

Sunday morning brought one more competitor returning to the fleet after a six year break. Marcus Ingram showed he had not forgotten how to sail a Phantom, making a good start on the beat against a foul tide and immediately being in contention with the leaders. With short tacking being the order of the day and whilst a few boats made it look easy, two laps was one too many for some, with some others finding the clay for a short break including local legend Eric Howe for one.

Round the leeward mark was very tricky, stay in the tide with the wind or inshore to the finish line out of the tide and breeze. Terry Crook made the right decision and took the win with the Roberts in second.

Phantom Eastern Series open meeting at Creeksea - photo © Diane Roberts

The fifth race was much of the same with tacking battles up the shore towards Burnham, making the windward mark first was Titch with Roberts in close pursuit, and making the most of the tidal gate they pulled away from the fleet with Roberts overtaking Titch on the run back leaving Roberts to take another bullet and Titch in second.

The tide had started to turn for the sixth and final race, so an easier beat over the full width of the river was possible with and a run back up the shore this time. The shorten course was welcome as the breeze was beginning to fade and the end of the race saw Bob Portway take the win ahead of Titch and Terry Crook.

With Chris Roberts not sure if he'd done enough to win the event and become the first home sailer to have won the Creeksea Phantom Open, a nervous wait was had until the race box confirmed he had finally done it after 20 previous attempts and many past top three placings.

The next Eastern Series event is at The Royal Harwich Yacht Club over the weekend of 16th and 17th July.

Phantom Eastern Series open meeting at Creeksea - photo © Diane Roberts

Overall Results:

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Phantom National & Inland Championships 2022 Entry Now Open

 

Go to the Events Drop Down at the top of this page and click on Phantom 2022 Nationals and Inlands Entry

 

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Phantom Open at Fishers Green Sailing Club

 

Fishers Green Phantom Open © Kevin O'Brian

 

Fishers Green SC held their Phantom open meeting on 7th May, as part of their eastern travellers series. The competitors asked for four races so that is what they got.

Weather forecasting predicted a northerly wind which was destined to swing dramatically to easterly later in the day or maybe later, possibly during the night, depending on which computer model you looked at? In the event the northerly was there in time for kick-off, and the two morning races gave decent upwind legs despite some significant wind-shifts both left and right.

Both races in the morning were won by Ben Falat who seemed to have the measure of the conditions, choosing best how to work the shifts up the beat and how to choose the best route downwind past the island to the bottom mark. He did not in any manner have things totally his own way with Chris Roberts challenging strongly actually all day; during the first race Chris (claiming lack-of practice) and while leading narrowly, then capsized in a tight mark-rounding gybe which gift Ben gratefully accepted. Wherever in the fleet, there were personal grouped battles going on.

Fishers Green Phantom Open © Kevin O'Brian

A leisurely chilli lunch prepared by Jane O'Brian, was followed by two more races but the wind was threatening to shift to the right and the course was re-set.

Graham Dale-Jones took an early lead for race three which turned into another personal battle to Clive Morley's advantage (to loud whoops of personal delight as he crossed the line with his first win!); also Ben gradually whittled away an early lapse into a late overtake for second place. Ben had now already unassailably won the event.

Fishers Green Phantom Open © Kevin O'Brian

For the final race the predicted easterly breeze had almost arrived, calling for a further rotation of the course as it appeared to settle in the northeast and that was where it thankfully stayed. Clive Morley won his second afternoon race, but only after Chris' second scorning of a lead; mid-race, with Chris comfortably leading he found himself under attack by a tight swarm of Comets which he was trying to work his way through, but too many and too much violent alteration of course saw him swimming for a second time. Thus following an earlier pair of third-places Clive having brought himself to within a single point of Ben Falat's then thankfully didn't quite need any tiebreaks.

Offering 'Phantastic" hospitality the host club did themselves proud yet again. The Phantom Class really enjoys re-visiting this 'Phriendliest' venue and is grateful for the reception.

Overall Results:

1st      Ben Falat         (Waveney & Oulton)   4pts
2nd     Clive Morley    (Minnis Bay)                5pts
3rd     Chris Roberts   (Creeksea)                  8pts

 

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 Phantom National & Inland Championships 2022

 

Dear Phantomists

 

The time is here.

Entry forms are available for your completion, for the 2022 Inland and 2022 National Phantom Championships.

Last year saw great turn outs at both events, with 34 at the Inlands and 76 attending the Nationals.

 

This years events are being held as follows:

  • Inland Championship Draycote Water July 9th & 10th
  • National Championship Lyme Regis September 16th, 17th & 18th

 

Key information:

  • Inlands £45
  • Nationals £190     (Early entry discount to £170, if entry before 5th August)
  • Combined £185    (Entry before 26th June qualify for a free pair of shorts.)

 

  • Payments can be made on each entry form via Paypal

There is a link below to the respective events you wish to attend.
Just the inland.. just the Nationals... or both.

 

With each form you will need to complete the necessary information:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Contact information..
  • and importantly age 1st September (for age trophies).

 

Locations:

 

   Phantom Combined Inland and Nationls 2022

   

   Phantom Inlands 2022

   

   Phantom Nationals 2022

 

  NOR -              Phantom-Draycote-NOR-2022-v2.pdf (draycotewater.co.uk)

  SI's -                Phantom-Draycote-SI-2022-v2.pdf (draycotewater.co.uk)

 

We look forward to receiving your entry.

Regards

 

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