The "Mend Your Health" 2009 Phantom Nationals were held over three days of September Friday 11th to Sunday 13th at the lovely north Wales venue of Llandudno Bay, hosted ably by LSC.
Some very keen sailors turned up on Tuesday evening to soak up the atmosphere and check the beer was OK for the arrival of 64 keen sailors. By Thursday some of the early arrivals couldn't wait and were seen out in the bay "Training", while others continued with sampling the liquid refreshments of this fantastic venue and the talking was all about the "New Faces" in the fleet, there pedigree sailing other boats....
Friday dawned with a lovely "Land Breeze" up on the Campsite, and by the time of the briefing the "Sea Breeze" was beginning to win the battle down on the Promenade.
62 helms took to the water to commence battle for the 2009 title of "Phantom National Champion".
A variable 5 - 10 Knot Breeze was filling the bay with Neap tides still making decisions difficult,
Race 1 got away cleanly and the form book was shown to a good guide and the top 5 finishers were: Newcomer to the fleet Charlie Cumley, Long time Phantom stalwart Allen Burrell, & the bridesmaid Gulliver, another new boy fresh from the OK worlds Nick Craig in 4th and Marcus Ingram having the race of this life in 5th.
Race 2 had less tide with it nearly slack but still some areas to worry about when the wind disappeared on the second beat, however the racing remained close, With Craig dishing the penalties on Couch in the final few boat lengths to the finish, Cumley in 3rd, Mark Weston in 4th & Richard Parkin moving up the fleet well in 5th.
Saturday dawned like "Ground Hog Day", Land Breeze tuning into Sea breeze with the PRO Paul Moreton's knowledge was proved correct, we all looked at each other bemused as to why we should go afloat, Paul knew better and by the time we were assembled at the start line the breeze had "Kicked in" and Race 3 got underway, after a couple of recalls. The left hand corner paid heavily on the first beat with a mixture of new & old faces in the running at the first mark. Cumley again worked his way to the front followed closely by Couch. Ex champion Crispin in 3rd, Hawkes in 4th and Paul Lester using some local knowledge in 5th.
Race 4 Started in similar conditions, again the left hand counter current paid dividends but the results came out the same. Cumley in first, Couch in second, Lightweight Gavin Young in 3rd, Chris Roberts continuing his amazing day in 4th and Craig in 6th.
Race 5 and now people were starting to realise that there was only one way to get up the first beat in good condition and a number of restarts resulted. Surprise Surprise the left hand side of the beat paid dividends the results were similar with Couch taking the gun ahead of Cumley with Mr Crewsaver Pete Evans in 3rd, Craig in 4th & Parkin again 5th.
Sunday arrived with a nice NE 8 - 12 knot breeze, launching was on time and the Race 6 started on time, everyone enjoyed stretching there legs and getting into the pressure, the aching legs from the last two days a distant memory.
In Race 6 the fleet split to both corners, Gulliver lead at windward mark in a small group including Couch, Cumley & Craig coming in from the left, this group focused on themselves on the second beat letting the pack close up by pushing the right hand side. In the final reach into the finish Craig got below Chris Turner for this second win of the event, followed by Cumley, Couch & Burrell.
The final race started promptly once the lifeboat launch had been arranged, with the most wind of the event & the event now in the bag Cumley stayed out for some practise, Craig took his 3rd gun of the event with the ever consistent Couch in second, Cumley in 3rd, Crispin in 4th and Simon Heuson in 5th.
Some notable performances outside the top 10, James Scrimshaw over 60 in 11th Overall and Chris Roberts over 50 in 13th overall
The fleet left the water by 14:00 and the prize giving was orchestrated swiftly by of new Chairman Ian Miller in military fashion so we were all on the road by 4pm.
The trophy's went to:
2009 Phantom National Champion - Charlie Cumley 1st Overall
2 Score Trophy - Will Gulliver , 4th Overall
1/2 Ton Cup - Chris Roberts, 13th Overall
60+ - James Scrimshaw, 11th Overall
The main Sponsors "Mend Your Health" prizes of a Vibration Trainer went to 34th Placed Ian Miller and three Hand held massagers to the over 50 winner Chris Roberts, 29th Overall Adam Ellery and 39th Overall Peter Gough. Every other person received prizes thanks to our other very kind sponsors: Seabrooke Developments, Vandercraft & North Sails
A great event, superb venue, LSC were well organised and ran excellent courses in the trying conditions. Next year the fleet travel to Stone SC in July.
