Phantom Midland Series at Bartley Sailing Club

by Andy Smith 13 May 18:37 BST12 May 2024

A small, but perfectly formed, fleet of ten Phantoms turned up at a warm and sunny Bartley on Sunday 12th May for the second of six events in the Phantom Class Midland Series, which was held alongside the Lightning 368 Open.

The format for the event was for one race in the morning, followed by lunch and then two races back-to back in the afternoon, with two out of three to count.

Race 1 was held in a light and quite shifty F1-2 from the north east (maybe even ENE), with plenty of holes in the wind to catch people out. Duncan Adams (Burton) led at the first mark, closely followed by Adam Froggatt (Chase) with a group of five not far behind, but very close together. On the long run to the second mark, Jim Hopton (Shustoke) held a higher line and pulled through to third, followed by guest appearance Nigel Hudson (Bartley) in Steve Ward's boat.

After a three-lap 45 minute race, Adam finally got ahead of Duncan and Jim retained third place. Your intrepid reporter can't add anything further, given the distance he was behind the front runners and not having taken his binoculars afloat!

Race 2, after a leisurely lunch break, saw a change of course and a slight increase in the wind, as it veered more towards East. A big shift saw Adam, Jim and Andy Smith (Bowmoor) approaching the first mark fast on port - almost a carbon copy repeat of what happened in the second race at Bowmoor last month, except that this time there were fewer boats and it also wasn't really possible to lay the mark on starboard, so everything was polite, congenial and without any incident or raised voices, thankfully!

Adam and Jim sailed away to comfortable first and second places respectively, albeit with a sizeable gap between them in the end. Duncan eventually pulled through to third after a uncharacteristic poor start and the positions from fourth to eighth were the same as Race 1. So, Adam had already secured victory and Race 3 would be a two-horse battle for second overall between Duncan and Jim.

As the breeze had picked up even more, Adam stayed out to join the fun, but pulled the trigger way too early on the start and so decided to retire, given he was almost on the lay line when the gun actually went! Duncan and Andy both made good starts and took advantage of both clear wind and a useful shift to be well ahead of the rest of the fleet at the first mark.

Duncan then proceeded to do a "complete horizon job", whilst Andy held off a fast-catching Jim until the last lap but secured a useful third place to move him up in the overall results (and the honour of writing this report!). Sadly, as I was concentrating so hard to first keep Jim behind me and then making sure I kept close to his transom, I did not see what happened elsewhere on the race track - except that there were large gusts from time to time, and even larger shifts almost all the time (apparently anything with east in it isn't a good direction for Bartley - well, we now know that for certain!).

At the prize-giving, Adam thanked the OOD and his team for putting on a great day's racing. For info, the next Midland Series event is the Inlands at Northampton in mid-June.

Overall Results:

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Phantom 2024 National Super Series at Stone Sailing Club

by Mark Spruce 7 May 11:45 BST27-28 April 2024

I've managed to drag myself out of the snug at my local, "The Muzzle & Leash" next to the adult shop opposite Walthamstow dogs after a bank holiday away with no boats, to report on the Phantom Super Series event at Stone SC held over the weekend of the 27th & 28th April alongside the UK Finn Masters Nationals.

Day One started well with the rain drying up and a classic ENE 8-12 knots breeze filling in over a strong flood tide. With a forecast of strong SW winds for the Sunday, Race Officer Neil Fulcher made the sensible decision to get 4 races completed in these ideal conditions, in case Sunday sailing was not possible (a wise move as it turned out).

Race 1... 20 Phantoms entered and faced a challenging start sequence with a U-Flag up from start one, big Pin-End bias and at least 2 knots of flood tide holding everyone back from the line. In fact, it was difficult to lay the pin on starboard and it was Sprucey who took advantage. Despite advertising it for at least 3 mins before the start, he won the pin on Port, crossed the whole fleet and that should have been it! Sadly, he then tacked onto starboard thinking the left had more wind and less tide. The problem was, it didn't and he ended up around 6th in the pack at the weather mark. Rob Cook laid down his marker and earned a clear win with the Northampton posse of Richard Nurse in second and John Wayling in third.

Race 2 was repeat of race 1. Again, Sprucey advertised his intent at the pin end and again the fleet let him do it! This time, he went the right way, lifting above Nick Favell on his stern and sailing over Rob Cook to extend his lead and take the win. Once again, the Northampton trio of Rob, Richard and John filled the next three places.

Race 3 was sailed in slightly lighter conditions. Rob Cook once again took the win with Bill Taylor from Creeksea SC working his way up into third to break up the Northampton monopoly of the podium. With less flood tide holding the fleet back from the line, local boy Phil Longley fell-foul of the U-Flag, something he found very bemusing!

All change for Race 4, the last of the day - started just as the ebb began to flow pushing the boats, still under the U-Flag closer to the line. Still slightly lighter on the wind front, we saw a third different race winner with Northampton's own John "Titch" Wayling taking a, well deserved win in his new boat Phloosie from an ever-improving Bill Taylor, who was, by now, learning how to make his new boat perform. Richard Nurse was third to secure a really well-deserved overall podium. Uncharacteristically, Rob Cook found himself buried deep at the windward mark, unable to extricate himself, finishing with his discarded 7th place.

It says something about the strong one-design nature of the Phantom - every one can have speed and ultimately, it's good starts, tactics and boat handling that separates the winners from the rest of the fleet.

Four races meant 20 very tired bods in the bar for the beer and curry evening in the clubhouse.

Compared to Friday night, it was a very quiet bar not helped by the entire absent Finn fleet who'd retired to their slippers and bed-time Horlicks (with the exception of Andy Couch and OK World Champion, Nick Craig, who everyone knows, are actually Phantom sailors anyway!)

As predicted, heavy rain over night was the indicator of the incoming front and strong SW winds coming. Low tide, a strong ebb tide and narrow race area meant it was going to be very difficult to lay a safe race course and the RO abandoned racing for the day. The Masters Finn fleet looked very relieved at the decision - they were concerned that they may actually get planning in that much wind! The Phantoms were a little disappointed but understanding.

So, Saturday evening's results stood. Four good races completed and the discard came into play. The Northampton squad took the podium - a great result for all three who have definitely upped their game this season with well-tuned and well sailed boats. Well done to Class Chairman, Rob Cook, Richard Nurse who is starting to nail some quality results and to John Wayling who is making Phloosie fly!

4th was Bill Taylor who sailed his way into contention throughout the day. Who knows what might have been if he had been able to demonstrate some of his strong wind ability on the Sunday.

5th was Sprucey - frustrated that he converted several 4th & 5th places to 6th & 8ths on then last downwind leg to the finish but comments that "he'll dine off his port tack start and race 2 win for years to come!"

Mentions in dispatches:

Phil Longley - "Nobody expects the..." but everyone expects the local boy to be up there and indeed he is. He'll rue that OCS but at least it meant that he didn't have to write this report!

Chris Roberts - fighting near the top despite a capsize and a very badly frayed / broken port shroud. He kept his mast but I'm not sure about his marbles?

That's a wrap. My bookie is happy - most of my pre-event predictions proved to be reasonably accurate so he's not out of pocket by too much. Well done to Team Northampton. They said "Dominance"!? I prefer to say "lucky" (that we didn't sail Sunday - they might just have been out of The Cup just like their local Rugby team, the Saints on the Same weekend!).

That's the Phantom National Super Series Event 1 completed. A great event and very competitive.

There is one Super Series event in each of the Phantom Regions along with the Inland Championships, this year at Northampton SC- you need three events to count so get your boats prepped and out on the water.

Results:

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Frensham Pond SC - South East Phantom Open 2024

by Nick Mason 22 Apr 11:52 BST

After a hiatus of some years the Phantom Fleet returned to Frensham Ponds SC for the first event in the South East Area 2024 Phantom Series. The event was sailed in memory of Tim ‘The Pieman’ Hemsley  with the 11 entries competing for ‘The Pieman Platter’.

Conditions were lively to say the least with 15 gusting 20 knots of a cold north easterly wind throughout the day. Four races were scheduled sailed around the nine marks dotted around the lake which proved to be a difficult navigation exercise for some competitors.

Race one started in gusty and shifting conditions. Some (most) of the competitors failed to notice the change of course on the committee boat and despite the instructions provided by the Race officer and a lead boat most of the fleet headed off in the wrong direction. Local sailor Justin Philipps followed the lead boat to the first mark but over excitement about leading the fleet and a ninety degree wind shift soon ended his euphoria with Justin taking a swim that forced his retirement. For one hour and ten minutes the fleet chased each other around the course with close racing and the lead changing hands on a number of occasions with Dave Royse from Ranelagh SC sailing a boat borrowed from his father taking the honours.

Race two was much of the same, a race length of nearly and hour, gusty winds and big shifts with  multiple position changes across the fleet with local sailor Rob Ahlheid taking the victory just prior to the lunch break.

With the gusty and shifting conditions a number of the competitors called it a day after lunch but eight boats set out to complete in the final two races. Race 3 once again went to Dave Royse from Ranelagh SC.

With the final race of the day a number of entrants could still win the event. Close racing ensued across the fleet with three boats being a bit over enthusiastic at the start and called OCS by the Race Officer. Again, gusty conditions prevailed with Simon Bond another local sailor taking the win.

• Dave Smith in the North, a compact series with some new venues to tempt you all to travel.
• Jim Hopton in the Midlands has produced a six event series, with many of the old favourites including the Inland Championships at Northampton SC in June.
• Jon Rickard our South West rep has selected some stunning locations. Who wouldn’t want to sail on the sea down in the West Country !
• Chris Shelton’s pick for the South East has a combination of three sea and two inland events to test the different skills needed for both.
• Finally Bill Taylor and Warren Martin have worked hard to produce the biggest regional series consisting of seven events, with many of the old favourites in the Eastern Region.

• Phantom North Opens 2024
• Phantom South East Open 2024
• Phantom Eastern Opens 2024
• Phantom South West Opens 2024
• Phantom Midlands Opens 2024

 

Future Phantom National Championship Events  

• 2024 - Sunderland Y.C. Sunderland. - 6th, 7th & 8th September

Discussions are continuing with Sunderland Y.C. to refine the details of this year’s Nationals in September. An experienced club PRO has been nominated for the series and the hunt for event sponsors is well underway.

As and when firm details have been agreed between the Club and our Class Association, including entry process and pricing, accommodation etc. these will be shared to you all in the coming months.

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Looking further ahead, our rolling Nationals programme continues to evolve and I am pleased to say that we have now secured firm venues up to and including 2027. Previously, some of these locations had been talked about, but no firm commitment from either our Class Association or potential clubs had been made. It’s great that we can now move forward with the following firm commitments.

• 2025 - Hooe Point S.C. Plymouth. - 19th, 20th & 21st September

We are very pleased to be have agreed with Hooe Point S.C. our Nationals in Plymouth which is now a firm booking. The growing fleet in the south west region have been keen to promote their patch and are very excited to be hosting the 2025 Nationals. The last time the Phantoms held a Nationals at Plymouth was 1995, so it’s long overdue !

We’re in good company in 2025 as the J24 Worlds are booked in for the first half of September, hence our slightly later date.

Hooe Point S.C. has evolved since the loss of Mayflowers SC and are the only dinghy club to be sailing in Plymouth Sound. Based at the Mount Batten Centre the club has fantastic facilities with great and easy launching, 30 accommodation rooms, 25+ camper van spaces onsite (with electric hook up) and camping less than a mile away.

For any non sailors, spectator viewing from nearby Jennycliff provides panoramic views of the race course with the Barbican and Plymouth via a water taxi for some of retail therapy !

I think this absolutely ticks all the boxes of your ‘Nationals criteria’ from our recent survey.

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• 2026 - Tenby S.C. Tenby - 4th, 5th & 6th September *

Some of our longer standing Phantom sailors (old gits) will recall our previous visit to Saundersfoot, South Wales in 2003 just down the road from Tenby. Tenby is not a venue I’ve ever sailed or visited but believe it’s a great seaside venue with sandy beaches and fantastic open sea sailing. The club is a popular venue for classes holding their national championships, so much so it’s booked up until 2030 !

As a tourist destination the town itself provides ample accommodation and local camping. So out of season it will be a great time to visit South Wales. “Croeso i gymru.”

* In discussion with the club to secure the dates and paying a deposit, it transpires that Tenby hold an annual ‘Ironman’ event every September. This effectively closes the town down and would make it impossible to run our Nationals on the same dates. The club will not know the Ironman dates until 12 months before (September 2025) Our dates are therefore provisional and may move to the 11th-13th September to fit with the Ironman event. Watch this space for a firm date announcements.

- So at this stage don’t book your accommodation !!

PS If you want to enter the ‘Ironman’ event as a warm up to our nationals let me know !

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• 2027 - Castle Cove S.C. Weymouth - 3rd, 4th 5th September **

Weymouth, the home of our aspiring Olympic hopefuls at WPNSA is just across the water from Castle Cove S.C. What better place to hold our nationals and rub shoulders with the best of the best !

One of ‘the’ classic UK venues providing great open sea sailing or the flexibility of the more sheltered waters inside the habour. Castle Cove SC offers great facilities and the benefit of local accommodation and camping/campervan sites very close by. The last time the Phantom’s visited Weymouth for a national championships was the year of the Queens Silver Jubilee back in 1977.

Some of the fleet weren’t even a twinkle in the eye back in the 70’s, but some of us will remember top of the chart hits like ‘Stayin alive’ by the Bee Gees and ‘YMCA’ by the Village People. I can feel a song coming on, those were the days …….

So it will be fantastic to be back sailing on the Jurassic coastline and enjoying the amazing waters off Weymouth.

** A booking has been made with Castle Cove S.C. But club policy dictates that due to it being over three years away the booking is classed as ‘provisional’ and will be upgraded to a firm booking nearer the time.

- So at this stage don’t book your accommodation !!

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• 2028 – Eastern Venue - to be confirmed

The Class Association are keen to rotate our national championship around the country, endeavoring to locate venues in every region. (Accepting that could be difficult for the Midlands ! )

Looking at the above programme the East Region is definitely next in line in 2028.

Currently, contacts have been made with numerous clubs across the region suitable to host a national championships. There’s lots of old favorites in the land where the Phantom was born, so watch this space for news out there and if you want to suggest any particular venue, you’ll have to bend my ear when you see me on the circuit.

It’s a long time off but let’s keep the programme rolling. From experience the best venues get booked up well in advance !

Mike Webster

Events Officer

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