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Sutton Bingham Phantom Open

Saturday 14th April 2012 saw the dawn of the Annual Sutton Bingham SC Phantom Open. With the previous two years being hampered by light to no winds the competitors were greeted by the makings of a 10 knot breeze for the three race event.

8 local club boats supported by 5 visitors started the first race at the bottom end of the lake. The Race officer Dave Thomson and his team set a fairly short line causing a few shouts as the boats set off in a growing and shifting breeze. Local boy Ian Jay set the PACE with Simon Hawkes (Wimbleball), Tim Hemlsey (Frensham) and Nick Orman (Castle Cove)hot on his heals. Through out the race the lead changed hand a number of times depending which side of the beat you went up. Nick Orman was looking good for the win when he stuck it in on the last beat in a growing breeze. It was then a fight to the line where Ian Jay secured the honours closely followed by Hawkes, Hemsley and Orman.

Following lunch the second race started in a breeze that was now showing 20 knot guests. A barging start by Tim Hemsley saw him forced into penalty turns and a place at the back of the fleet for the first beat. Once again the same contenders battled for the front of the fleet this time with the addition of Nick Mason (Island Barn Resrvoir) exchanging 4th and 5th place with Tim Hemsley each beat as he worked his way up the fleet. Line honours went to Hawkes followed by Jay, Orman, Hemsley and Mason.

After a quick break the final race was on. With Ian Jay and Simon Hawkes both carrying a first and second place, this was the decider. There was a good 15 knots gusting to 20 as the fleet got away. Hawkes immediately established a credible lead which he did not relinquish giving a master class in flat boat sailing in gusting conditions and taking the event overall. Jay was 2nd followed by Hemsley and Mason.

A great days sailing in sunny and windy conditions. The Phantom Fleets Southern Series now moves on to Island Barn Reservoir SC for their next event on Saturday 21st April 2012.

Final standings.

1st - Simon Hawkes (2.0)

2nd- Ian Jay (3.0)

3rd - Tim Hemsley (6.0)

4th - Nick Orman (7.0)

5th - Nick Mason (9.0)

6th - Chris Bottomley (12.0)

7th - Jenn Botterill (14.0)

8th - Tony Cumberbatch (14.0)

9th - Richard Cumberbatch (14.0)

10th - John Bower (15.0)

11th - Steve Joyce (21.0)

12th - Nick Hendry (23.0)

13th - Phil Bailey (24.0)

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