18th/19th February 2012
Sponsored by Virtual Rigger
The 2012 Winter Championships hosted by Stewartby Water Sailing Club and supported by the new class sponsors - Virtual Rigger attracted a select group of Phantom sailors to compete over a weekend series of five races. The weekend mirrored the forecast with 25kts plus of breeze from the start with heavy squalls as the cold front approached. Thoughtfully the free fleecy hats with snazzy Phantom Winters logos were distributed to all competitors before racing commenced coming in very handy to combat the icy conditions.
The more mature (sensible) sailors watched on as the brave (foolhardy) attempted to launch for race 1 only to see most take a swim on the way to the start line. The PRO decided very quickly that conditions were too extreme to 'race' and ordered the fleet to shore, where smug faces were at hand to assist in boat recovery – (race 1 cancelled). An early lunch was ordered to wait for the cold front to pass through and winds to ease.
Race 2 was sailed in breezy conditions with a round the cans course providing some tactical up wind and downwind legs and some exhilarating reaches. The race was dominated by Charlie Cumbley, Andy Wilde and Simon Childs finishing in that order after some close racing. The remaining fleet ended the race in a fleet flattening squall to add some extra spice and swimming practice for some.
Race 3 was sailed back to back in a clearing sky and reducing wind but racing remained fierce as the top places exchanged. Cumbley leading, with Childs and Mike Webster pressing hard for second followed by Wilde and Simon Hawkes. The latter taking the opposite side of the last run to close the gap and edge Webster into 5th. At the end of the day two bullets for Cumbley with everyone else chasing the remaining spots.
The sailors and race team adjourned to the bar for a well-earned ½ pint or two together with some non-liquid sustenance. Sunday brought a frosty start to the proceedings and a chance for the 'young' camper van brigade to warm up in the club after a chilly night and the obligatory bacon butties all round started off the day in style.
Race 4 course was promptly set by the race team to a sausage and triangle format which remained for the whole day. A short start line ensured some competitive dialogue between sailors with some boats too keen off the line resulting in individual recalls. Some hard hiking off the line in 10 kts of breeze saw a tactical beat with close calls at the windward mark. Wilde showed some pace downwind and established a commanding lead followed by a chasing pack. The next beat saw changing places with Wilde pulling further ahead into a comfortable lead and Cumbley and Childs pushing into 2nd and 3rd.
Race 5 the final race of the Championships would prove decisive as all races counted with no discard due to race 1 cancelation. The start again remained tense with all to play for. Rounding the windward mark the fleet was closely packed and during the course of the next few legs the lead was shared by Childs, Cumbley, Webster and Wilde. Wilde showed good pace as in the earlier race and pulled through to develop a commanding lead with Cumbley chasing and Tim Andrews finishing a well deserved 3rd.
Overall the consistency of Cumbley paid off with two 1st and two 2nd to take to take the Championship but very closely followed by Wilde who pressed hard on the second day.
The fleet's new sponsors Virtual Rigger provided generous prizes to all competitors and a special prize presented to Olly 'Spongebob' Hopkins to mark his first Championship event. With prize vouchers left over the Phantom Class donated these to Stewartby Water Sailing Club youth scheme.
