The northern phantom fleet attended the Bala Sailing Club phantom open meeting over the weekend of 7th and 8th June. Racing started on Saturday with a force 3-4 blowing right down the lake. James Lancaster got a good start and had a good race with Colin Barrie, Lancaster finally managed to break free after Barrie capsized on one of the downwind legs. Andrew Elliott came in third after losing one of his shrouds on the first beat, and having to stop to effect repairs. The second race started in similar conditions over a slightly longer course, Lancaster again appeared to have good upwind speed and was able to hold off Elliott in second to take an early lead in the overall standings. Following lunch a third race was held with Elliott this time getting his act together to take the win followed by Lancaster and Barrie.
With racing over for the day the fleet retired to the bar with Lancaster trying hard to ply the competition with copious quantities of lager in an attempt to ease the path to overall victory, judging by the general state of the fleet this appeared to have worked but it was Lancaster who appeared to have suffered with Elliott taking the first race leaving Barrie and Lancaster to fight it out for Second and Third. Again the fifth race started back to back in shifty conditions Elliott again managed to win from Lancaster with Barrie again in third.
During the break for lunch the wind increased considerably to a 5-6, with most of the places resolved, Lancaster could still win the meeting on a tie break and 4th and 5th was still to be decided. Despite suggestions from the race officer that the fleet should call it a day due to the conditions 4 boats launched in a severely diminished fleet for the final race. Moments before the start Lancasters kicking strap failed handing the event win to Elliott. This left Mike Potter and Andy Downie to fight it out for 4th and 5th place. Potter finally prevailing and securing 4th place. Once again Bala Sailing Club ran an excellent event which was a credit to the organisers.
Overall Results:
1st Phantom 1105 Andrew Elliott Rotherham SC
2nd Phantom 1044 James Lancaster Bristol Corinthian SC
3rd Phantom 1117 Colin Barrie RYA
4th Phantom 1142` Mike Potter Blithfield SC
5th Phantom 957 Andy Downie Combs SC
6th Phantom 915 Ian Barrie Burghfield SC
7th Phantom 1012 Jools Abel East Lancs SC