CoastWaterSports 2022 Phantom SW Traveller Series Round 3 to be held during Paignton POSH

The weekend of 7th – 8th May is fast approaching, and with it comes round 3 of the series - POSH Regatta at Paignton SC. POSH has been a regional fixture for a number of years now and routinely sees good turnouts and close racing.

The sailing club is located on Paignton Harbour and launching is from the beach at any state of tide. Entries are expected to reach around 100 boats across multiple single-handed classes.

The NoR can be found on the club website, paigntonsailingclub.co.uk/open-events-championships/posh

See you soon, on the English Riviera!

by Richard Cumberbatch 29 Apr 11:11 BST7-8 May 2022

Phantom class HD Sails and Ceilidh Masts Midland Circuit at Bartley Sailing Club 

Bartley Sailing Club hosted 15 Phantoms to the second round of the HD Sails and Ceiledh Masts Midland Circuit. We were greeted with bacon butties and promises of building breeze and glorious sunshine. The wind direction was an unusual easterly, coming over the dam, giving wind shifts of 40 degrees - the joys of inland sailing.

Race starts were at the far end of the pool giving opportunity for a few mishaps along the way. First race saw the fleet spread out across the water with no obvious route up the first beat. Despite this the fleet rounded in quick succession with Mike Webster and Rob Cook with the rest of the fleet following close behind.

As the race progressed Mike kept ahead with Chris Bownes, Mike Tustain and Jim Hopton joining the pack. Chris pulled a blinder (local knowledge) up the beat to get into second; the race finishing with Mike Webster first followed by Chris and Rob.

Race 2 followed on with the wind building and a few more of the fleet getting familiar with the underside of the water. Mike Webster again led the field with Rob, Tom, Jim and Mike T in the chasing pack. Snakes and ladders on the beats with the right side paying handsomely on lap two but teasing and failing to deliver on other occasions. At the finish it was Mike Webster followed by Rob Cook and Tom Gissane.

The third race again saw the fleet spread across the water for the beats, but by this stage Mike Webster's magic touch had been used and he got on the wrong side of the lake. Rob and Tom broke clear of the fleet to duke it out with Rob eventually victorious. The pack had multiple place changes on every beat with places decided in the last 100m, Richard Nurse finishing third on the water with Jim fourth after recovering from an earlier spectacular capsize.

The race management used a classic PY for the older boats giving local sailor Dorian Roe third in the final race. Overall, Mike Webster was the winner with Rob Cook second and Tom Gissane third.

Our thanks to Bartley for an excellent days sailing and look forward to the third round at Northampton for the two day event 4th-5th June.

Overall Results:

 by Jim Hopton

28 Apr 17:04 BST24 April 2022

South West and Midlands Phantom Open at Bowmoor Sailing Club

A sunny but chilly morning greeted 14 enthusiastic Phantom sailors for the Bowmoor Phantom open, which was a joint open for the South West and Midlands, sponsored by HD Sails, Ceilidh Mast and CoastWaterSports.

Race officer Charlie Sansom and his small crew gave the sailors their orders and sent them away to get on the water.

(South West and Midlands Phantom Open at Bowmoor © Phil Hepworth)

Race one started in a building breeze and the fleet got away well. At the windward mark for the first time Olly Hopkins (Bowmoor) lead comfortably followed by Andy Smith (Bowmoor).

By the end of the run Olly had kept his lead however this was short lived when he fell into a hole and was quickly caught and overtaken by the chasing pack. Rob Cook (Northampton) made the most of the shifty beat to take the lead, followed by Jim Hopton (Shustoke) with Mike Webster (Northampton) and Charlie Chandler (Bowmoor) battling away for third. At the end of race 1 Rob Cook took the win with Jim Hopton in 2nd and Charlie Chandler sneaking through to take 3rd from Mike Webster in a photo finish.

Race two saw a big shift as the clock sounded for the start which meant that the whole fleet tacked onto port straight away. Charlie Chandler made the most of the shift and lead the fleet to the windward mark followed by Rob Cook, Jim Hopton & Olly Hopkins. Luckily for Jim, Olly & Rob, Charlie's lead was short lived as he had to leave early for a family event promoting Rob, Jim & Olly up a place. At the next mark Olly gybed early and picked up a gust that allowed him to sneak past Rob and Jim. Jim managed to jump Rob into 2nd and continued to chase Olly all the way to the finish but just couldn't find a way past. At the end of race 2 Olly took the win with Jim Hopton taking 2nd and Rob Cook in 3rd.

(South West and Midlands Phantom Open at Bowmoor © Phil Hepworth)

(South West and Midlands Phantom Open at Bowmoor © Phil Hepworth)

After a hearty lunch the fleet took to the water again for the start of race 3. Andy Smith chose the right path up the first beat and lead the fleet around followed by Rob Cook and Jim Hopton. Andy Smith managed to maintain this lead for 2 laps. Just behind Mike Tustin (Bowmoor) was getting to grips worth his new coffee table, sorry boat and had come through the fleet. Rob Cook and Mike Tustin choose to stick to the left of the course and overtook Andy Smith who had chosen a path up the middle. Rob Cook took the lead closely followed by Mike Tustin. On the next beat Jim Hopton managed to get past Andy Smith and take the final podium position. The race finished with Rob Cook taking the win, Mike Tustin in 2nd and Jim Hopton in 3rd.

Race 4 started in a building breeze and Ian Stone made the most of this leading round the windward mark followed by Mike Webster and Mike Tustin. Mike Tustin made the most of the run to the next make and took the lead. Mike Tustin continued to stretch his lead showing that he was getting to grips with his new boat and setup and took the win with Mike Webster taking 2nd and Rob Cook taking 3rd place. This was enough to give Rob Cook the overall win.

We would like to thank the event sponsors HD Sails, Ceilidh Masts and CoastWaterSports for the prizes.

With some close and exciting racing this season is shaping up to be a good one.

HD/Ceilidh Phantom Midland Traveller Series 2022

The start of the Midlands Phantom season kicked off a couple of weeks ago with a cracker at the Ovington Inland Championships  - Grafham Water S.C..

Next weekend (Saturday 9^th April) sees the start of the HD/Ceilidh Midlands Traveller Series, a joint event with the South West Series at Bowmoor S.C. the home club of last year’s series winner Charlie Chandler. 

In form Charlie also winner of the Ovington Inland championships will be teaming up with his fellow Bowmoor team, but sure there will be lots of friendly competition from other clubs from the South West. It’s a popular start of the season event and will be looking forward to a good showing from the midland sailors to show the southerners how it’s done !

At the end of April, Bartley S.C. new to the series in 2022, will be hosting the second event.

The class is delighted to yet again partner with sponsors HD Sails and Ceilidh who are one of the leading Phantom, sail and carbon rig combinations. Together HD Sails and Ceilidh have come up with a new mast section for the Phantom. ‘Just like the Merlin mast development, the Phantom mast has brought a narrower sectioned teardrop shape with an integrated track. The new section boom boast 50% more stiffness than the traditional oval boom. Combining with the established HD sail completes the package.’

Last years much sought after tee-shirts prizes will be making another appearance in 2022 ….. all the more reason to grease those trailer wheels and get on the road. The series is a fantastic way to meet other Phantom sailors and learn from the regulars, a friendly bunch keen to promote sailing and phantom racing…….. It will be great to see some new faces.

Let the challenge begin !!

Dates for the diary for the 2022 Midlands Series:

7 events series best 5 to count

Northern Series 2022

North Fixtures confirmed and issued by Matt Butler & Perry Adam

South West Traveller Series 2022

Ricard Cumberbatch has confirmed the following South West events.

As you can see there are still a couple of dates to confirm. Updates to follow. 

Phantom Events / Opens 2022

**Updated 14/01/22 2037hrs

Hope to see as many of you as possible at our 2022 events.

Would be great to see old and new phantoms on the scene this year.

😀