Welcome to the website of the UK's premier single handed racing dinghy. Fast, dynamic, energetic and brilliant - Phantom. Get one or it will haunt you forever!

Phantom News

Phantom East Coast Championships 2016

This year the East Coast Champs was held at Royal Harwich Yacht Club, who had kindly invited the Phantom Fleet to attend as part of their annual Smugglers Trophy Event.

A number of the fleet arrived early on the Friday evening to join some of the PSYCO members (Phantom Sailors Yacht Cruising Organisation) aboard yachts moored at both Royal Harwich and Woolvestone Marina. Following much merriment, a diet of beer, cupcakes and the odd rum and coke, the fleet turned in remarkable early to gain much needed rest before the day ahead.

Saturday brought bright sunshine, a gentle force 3 from the south east, and 11 fit sailors and 1 recovering from a bad back, apparently as a result of his toil during the week. At the briefing the race officer Gordon indicated that he had arranged to set 2 separate race areas, one for the Wayfarers and Handicap fleets and the other for the Phantoms and National 12s. He also warned of the local rule of racing being prohibited within the launching area, this was later to catch some victims from the Phantom’s.

Race one started on a trapezoid course with the windward mark set just off the Butt and Oyster pub at Pin Mill this was obviously done to encourage the Phantoms to get away early, drawn in by the smell of the beer also exuding directly to windward. Initially it looked as though the pin end of the line would pay as Bob Portway and Ian (Windy) Miller looked to pull away and cross the fleet, however John (Titch) Wayling had also had a good beat on the opposite side of the track, and Matt House had got some good fortune and was lifted into the mark having been crossed by the previously mentioned.  At the mark, Titch led Matt and Windy around and on to the first reach. Down the next 3 legs odd positions changed, though Matt appeared to be the quickest of all down the reaches. On the second beat Windy managed to sail himself down the pan while Ian Pavey and Paul Church picked the left side of the course and put themselves in contention for a podium finish. By the final leg and to the finish it was Matt 1st, Titch 2nd and Paul 3rd.

By race 2 the wind had built to a force 4 with significant gusts coming through to catch out the unwary. The RO had also changed the course to a Triangle, Sausage course to provide a little variety and some excellent reaches for the Phantoms. This time the fleet spread evenly across the line, leading to the bunch arriving at the top mark together. Warren (Thumper) Martin was in the mix with Matt leading, Thumper 2nd with Titch and Paul in close attendance. On the second lap Paul unfortunately suffered a kicker failure, that took him out of the race, Bob Portway had taken the opportunity to pull past Thumper, leaving a 1.2.3, of Titch, Matt and Bob. There had been a number of capsizes due to the gusty conditions and hence by race 3 a depletion of the fleet.

Race 3 was on the same Triangle, Sausage course though the tide was due to turn part way through the race. It was down to who could judge where and when the tide that would gain the best advantage. It appeared the local Matt House had used his knowledge to push for the front, but this would evaporate as he tripped up at the gybe mark, to let Titch, Paul and most of the remainder of the fleet through. On the second lap, a late capsize by Nick let both Thumper and Windy through leaving the podium spots to Paul 1st, Titch 2nd, and Bob 3rd. It was going to make the second day of racing interesting having had 3 different jockies in 1st place. The fleet retired to the shore for well earned sustenance.

Joined by the PHWAGs the fleet triumphed in the smugglers quiz, particularly assisted by Radio 4 listener Thumper. We were then provided an excellent meal by Royal Harwich before returning to the PYSCO yachts for a nightcap before bed.

Sunday dawned bright, having had heavy rain overnight (according to Nick and Thumper who had spent a restless night in the back of their cars). The wind had died to nothing and the forecast did not promise much more. The first race of the morning was to be a pursuit race (not part of the series) followed by 2 further races. What wind there was came from the East with a flooding tide. Windy had decided to retire from the pursuit race before getting on the water, as he had predicted this would be a bit of a drifter. The Phantoms started last in the pursuit and it was a matter of who drifted fastest down to the first mark. On rounding the mark on to a beat against the tide the inevitable was going to happen, Yes.... boats started sailing backwards. There were a number of retirements, though 3 intrepid Phantomers decided to stay on for a chance to win the Sail Medic sponsored gillet. Bob and Paul appeared to have read wind conditions correctly by coming over to the south shore and picking their way between the pontoons, while Titch had gone over to the north shore hoping for the wind to build. Though both Bob and Paul had some distance over Titch on the water they had both fallen foul of the local rule not to sail with the landing area and were hence disqualified, leaving Titch as the winner.

With the likelihood of the wind dropping further and the tide increasing the RO abandoned the racing, so people could get home in good time.

Thanks go to RHYC for their hospitality and holding the event, to Sail Medic for their sponsorship, and to Seamark Nunn who also sponsored some prizes. To Gordon the RO and  Matt House for co-ordinating the event.

Results

East Coast Champs

RankClass          SailNoClub        HelmName                          Nett

1stPhantom1346         John Wayling (2.0)1.02.05.03.0

2ndPhantom1432RHYC         Matt House 1.02.0(7.0)10.03.0

3rdPhantom1273         Paul Church 3.0(12.0)1.016.04.0

4thPhantom137RHYC        Bob Portway (5.0)3.03.011.06.0

5thPhantom1305         Ian Miller  (7.0)4.04.015.08.0

6thPhantom1233         Warren Martin (8.0)5.05.018.010.0

7thPhantom1279         Ian Pavey   4.07.0(12.0 )23.011.0

8thPhantom1291Nick Yannakoyorgos (6.0)6.06.018.012.0

9thPhantom1065         Ian Hill  10.08.0(12.0 )30.018.0

10thPhantom1378 Jonathon Pulfer    9.0(12.0 ) 12.0 33.021.0

11thPhantom1174 G Dale Jones (12.0) 12.012.036.024.0

 

Sail Medic Pursuit Race

1stPhantom1346         John Wayling

Phantom - Optimum Time Watches Southern Travellers Series at Paignton SC.

By Douglas Powell

So round 3 of the Optimum Time Watches Phantom Southern Series rolled into Paignton and we were greeted by sun, sea and singlehanders for Paignton’s successful yearly regatta (POSH). Phantoms from Shoreham, Burghfield, Bowmoor, Wimbleball and Royal Plymouth arrived including several where this was their first event in the Phantom.

Saturday was a non-event - the breeze was up/down, and going left/right which made the PRO job almost impossible, so after a few attempts we all headed back to the beach. That night the club laid on a great curry and local beer which went rather quickly – Steve P made a trip into town later and returned to his B&B in the early hours, only for that to result in him unable to sail Sunday!

So onto Sunday – the PRO had made the decision to amend the S.I to allow as many races as possible and to move a little further offshore to get more consistent wind. A ‘short’ wait which allowed the phantoms to do some boat comparing and rig measuring while the high tide / swell prevented launching and then we were off.

Race 1 - The Phantoms shared the start with Lasers, Europe’s, Aero’s and D-Zero’s which made the line a little crowded, but Simon Hawkes, Doug Powell and Ivan Walsh shot off upwind and rounded in that order. Places stayed the same till the next upwind where Ivan got ahead of Doug. Simon was by this time well ahead and won. The battle for second lasted till the last few metres but in the end it was Doug second & Ivan third.

Race 2 – Doug led upwind from the start, but was slowly reeled in by Simon who rounded the windward mark first and stayed there. Doug was second and Ivan third.

Race 3 – See Race 2

Race 4 – Simon messed up his start and was buried under several rows of boats!  Doug, Ivan and the others had a chance! Looking behind, Simon eventually got clear and hit a corner. Approaching the windward mark there was a new name in the mix; Jon Cooper, he had found 5th gear and was right there. With a 150 mtrs to the mark it looked like Doug, Jon and Ivan would round in that order, but Simon had other ideas…. All alone on the left hand side it had paid off and Simon was a 100 mtrs ahead of anyone else! Doug hit the windward mark and decided to “at least beat Simon to the shore” and retired. Ivan and Jon battled around the course and it was Ivan 2nd and Jon 3rd.

So Overall - Simon Hawkes 1st, Doug Powell 2nd and Ivan Walsh 3rd

For the Southern Series Simon now has a firm grasp on the lead with wins at Wimbleball, Frensham and now Paignton – who will catch him?.

The Phantoms would like to thanks Paignton Sailing Club for laying on a great event and the Race Officer & his team for incredibly getting in 4 great races on the Sunday.  See you next year.

The Phantom’s have a busy year in 2016 with regional travellers series in the East, South, Midlands, North and Scotland + a UK wide Grand Prix Series of 6 events including the Nationals in Sept. If you weigh 90-120kg  then simply ‘get a Phantom or it will haunt your forever”. www.phantomclass.org.uk

Optimum Time Watches 2016 Phantom Southern Travellers Series Round 3 at POSH

We travel to Paignton Devon this weekend for the Paignton Open for Single Handers for what is looking like a great event both on and off the water. Weather forecast is looking good. 6 Phantoms pre entered so far with hopefully a few more turning up on the day.

Ivan 1300

Optimum Time Watches Southern Travelers series Frensham Pond Open Report

Upon arrival we were promised that the forecast wind direction was on the of the best for sailing on the pond. This had not taken into account the upset of having visiting boats some even tasting of salt and this effect on the local Dragons Fren- water and Sham- wind, which would use their powers to cause chaos to all at times.
Race 1
Two boats broke away from the fleet and led for a long time only to be undone by and Fren and Sham combining to befuddle them and send them to the wrong mark. This caused Steve Popple to who had been lying second to depart.
Rob Starling won the race with Nick Mason second rumour has it that you have to ask the correct former police man for directions as Simon Hawkes was another led astray resulting in his discard.
Race 2 
Simon Hawkes must have negotiated peace with the local dragons as he proceeded to sail a clean race for the first of his three wins.  By now the water and wind were combining to blow hard, shift and then grab unsuspecting helms from the boat for a cooldown.  Chris Shelton sailing a consistent day was second. Further back in the field I was overtaken by two local boats Bob Larder and Justin Phillips on the last beat and with a short run to the finish much muttering was to be heard from my boat then Sham heard my prayers and blew capsizing both Bob and Justin with Justin only about 4 meters from the line to much applause from the race team.
Lunch was enjoyed by all and also allowed the breeze to increase.
Race 3
A depleted fleet with one local boat left set out with Nick Mason in irons on the start for he claims 3 minutes which was still not enough for him to stay behind me.
Jeremy’s orange logo and numbers must have upset you know who as a large gust hit him on the bear away only to snap his goose neck.
Simon wins again, Chris second, Nick third, 
Race 4
I missed most of this after an early dunking.
Simon 1st, Nick 2nd Chris 3rd Rob 4th. Which with tie breaks used was the final result

Simon Hawkes 1282 Wimbleball SC (10) 111 Nett 3            1st
Nick Mason 1386 Island Barn SC 2(4) 32 Nett 7              2nd
Chris Shelton 1211 Downs SC (3)223 Nett 7                  3rd
Rob Starling 1431 Burghfield SC 13(5)4 Nett 8              4th
Gordon Kingston 1430 Lee on Solent SC 674(DNF13) Nett 17   5th
Ivan Walsh 1300 Shoreham SC (9)865 Nett 19                 6th

Optimum Time Watches 2016 Phantom Southern Travellers Series Round 2 at Frensham Pond Sailing Club

Frensham Ponds Sailing Club Surrey is in a nice central location for southern travellers to get to easily. First start 11.00 with 2 races in the morning and 2 after lunch of about 40mins each. See club website for NOR and directions. Easy launching off jetties and no weed on a picturesque lake. Free tea too !!
Come and race your Phantom against Phantom sailors...

Ivan Walsh
Phanton Southern Area Rep

Page 25 of 36

Random Phantom Image

2008-Creeksea-4

Class Supporters

 
www.warwickpics.com