South West Series 2021

2021 Events

Updated 28-03-2021

Festive Cheer to you all   

Tis the season of goodwill with wishes of looking forward to a new year of promise and plans.


2021 is a special year for the class as it celebrates its ‘Golden Anniversary’, 50 years since its formation back in 1971 and we are determined for our class to celebrate it in style.

We are delighted to be commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Phantom Sailing and our plans are well underway to make 2021 a special year. I am pleased to announce the class has recently secured the venue to host our National Championships with lots more planned through the year”

In 2021 the Championship hosts will be Stone Sailing Club between the 17th-19th September, a firm favorite with Phantom sailors and going back to its roots in the south east of England.  It is also fantastic news that Allen Bros will be the headline sponsors for the event, who continue to strengthen their relationship and support of the class.
It’s even rumored that Ben Harden – Head of Marketing at Allen Sailing will be competeing !!


The class will also be supporting the Ovington Winter Championships on the 27/28th March 2021 at Grafham Sailing Club and looking forward to a big turnout of Phantoms. Our Inland Championships are being hosted by Northampton Sailing Club over the weekend of the 5/6th June 2021 .

Looking further forward, the class is thrilled to have also secured it’s National Championships venue for 2022. Famous for it’s perfect sailing conditions, rolling swell and huge waves, the premier sailing location of Lyme Regis Sailing Club (provisional dates of 2nd -4th September).


There’s much to look forward to, when we emerge from the winter months with spring in the air and we can again feel the warmth of the sun on our faces.
Here’s hoping …………

May I wish you a safe Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

I look forward to seeing you all on the water in the in 2021.


Phil Longley
Chairman

2021 National Championships

The Class is pleased to confirm that the 50th National Championships are to be held at Stone Sailing Club in Essex on 17th – 19th September 2021.  A bumper Entry is anticipated with past Champions being invited and anticipated to attend.

More details will follow in due course but it is worth noting that a training day is also being considered for 16th September with shore based tuning/tweaking and on the water coaching.

EVENTS UPDATE

The Class Association has been carefully considering how the class returns to racing and the impact that of the Corona Virus on future events.

The current restrictions are such that clubs are unlikely to be able to host events and in this regard the current regional events should be reviewed on a club by club basis.  The regional representatives will keep members advised of any updates on the status of any forthcoming events.

Similarly the proposed National Championships at Rock Sailing Club in September are going to be reviewed at the end of June.  This will involve the Committee and Club considering how any restrictions will impact on the viability of the event.  

In this regard it is easiest to regard the event as neither on or off.  A decision will be made at the end of June and members advised accordingly.

Looking to future events the Committee has been working hard to secure future Nationals venues and dates.  At this time of uncertainty we hope that these are of interest and will allow you to plan ahead.  

In particular the class will be celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary next year and the Nationals will be returning to Stone SC on 17-19th September.  In addition to this consideration is being given to a European Event in 2021 (most likely Medemblik) and again more details will follow on this in due course.

Following the Dinghy Show which we were fortunate to be able to conclude before the lockdown period there has been a marked increase in interest in the class.  This has been seen in increased membership of the Facebook Class Association Group and the associated sales page.  Boats are now selling quickly and there is a demand for most styles of boat ranging from woodies to the latest boats.  Ovington report that new boats are being ordered and they are maintaining a stock boat as required by the Class Association.  

If you do have spare gear or a neglected boat then now would appear to be an ideal time to move them on.

Phantom Class Information Booklet

Updated Phantom Class Information Booklet now available - Click Here

Optimum Time Phantom Southern Travellers at Salcombe Yacht Club

For the second year running the Optimum Time Phantom Southern Traveller Series were at Salcombe Yacht Club for the final event of the season.

And what an absolutely stunning weekend it turned out to be. Wall to wall sunshine, blue skies and the harbour to ourselves, at what is undoubtedly the most picturesque venue on the calendar. Even the seals put in an appearance.

Admittedly, the wind and tide can be 'interesting' at times, but when you make a call and it comes good the rewards are significant. Get it wrong and it can be devastating. I don't think there was a sailor there who doesn't have tales of both. And therein lies the challenge, but until you go there I don't you ever really quite appreciate it. There's a reason other classes flock here.

The weekend started well, with a bit of session in the Victoria on Friday night, and a pub breakfast the following morning to watch England take the Wallabies apart. Perfect.

2 races were held each day, and overnight it was a Salcombe top 4, with Alister Morley, taking two bullets, Paul Ellis with 2 seconds, Chris Cleaves with 2 thirds and Olly Alexander a fourth and a fifth.

This didn't reflect just how close it had been on the water, with places changing constantly, but unsurprisingly the Salcombe boys came out on top when it counted.

Saturday's races were a beat down the estuary to mark 1, and then a long run up the estuary and through 'the bag' to 7, somewhere off towards Kingsbridge. No 40 minute lightweight races in this neck of the woods! Chris Cleaves led for much of the first race, but Alister and Paul eventually overhauled him.

In race two, at 50 yards from the line it looked like a bullet for Paul and a second for Richard Cumberbatch, but Alister still managed to find his way to the front for his second bullet, and Chris took his second third of the day.

Sunday was breezier, and the wind was coming down the estuary instead. In race 3 Alister Morley and Paul Ellis again led the way with Alister and Paul assuming their usual positions of a 1, 2 respectively. Jim Hopton, Richard Cumberbatch and Chris Cleaves were fighting for 3rd. As the breeze increased on the final beat Jim and Richard pulled ahead a little with Richard just taking 3rd on the line.

Race 4 looked like being a repeat of race 3 for Alister and Paul, but Jim was hanging in there. It was all getting rather close on the final beat. The shorten course flag was raised, but a little late for Paul who had already decided to cross the estuary. Jim Hopton snuck the bullet from Alister Morley, the only person to do so all weekend, and Richard benefited from the late shorten course signal to take 3rd from Paul Ellis. Not that either of these events affected Alister and Pauls final scoreline.

Overall Results:

1th Alister Morley (Salcombe)
2th Paul Ellis (Salcombe)
3th Jim Hopton (Shustoke)
4th Richard Cumberbatch (Castle Cove)
5th Chris Cleaves (Salcombe)
6th Olly Alexander (Salcombe)
7th Nick Mason (Island Barn)
8th Dave Patrick (Broadwater)

9th Bruce Hattersly (Salcombe)

All told, it was an outstanding weekends sailing. As one person was heard to say "it's like having a cheeky little summer holiday".

Sincere thanks to both Salcombe Yacht Club for their hospitality and for hosting a great event, and to Optimum Time for their sponsorship.

We'll see you all again next year!