THE JJ BOATS/TEMPERA-TECH sponsored EASTERN SERIES 2009

is up and running. Event sponsors THE MORTON PARTNERSHIP LTD.

A record 26 Phantom helms turned up to the Training Day at Alton Water on Saturday, 14th March 2009, with many new faces attending their first event. Simon Childs and John Wayling conducted the day splitting the assembled company into groups to set boat controls, practice tacking and gibing, and adjusting the rig when overpowered. This was much needed instruction as with the wind blowing a force 4 and ever-increasing de-powering the rig was critical. A number of the incumbent company took a swim and others decided that an inspection of their centreboards could be very easily achieved in the capsize mode.

The training was concluded with a presentation from the RYA with a 2009 Rules update.

The evening was spent in the local hostelry for a meal washed down with the local brew. Owing to the fame and popularity of ‘The Phanmail’ one of our helms is now of celebrity status and was recognised by the waitress in the pub, who requested an autograph.

Sunday morning broke to bright sunshine and the wind having settled to a force 2/3 from the southwest. In order to keep things simple Jerry Andrews/Gavin Johnson, the race team, set a triangle sausage course to the southwest of the reservoir.

RACE 1

The race was started with a slight port end bias. New to the circuit Nick Radley started on starboard at the pin end along with Simon Childs, John Wayling and Ian Miller, this group headed out to the left of the course whilst Chris Roberts led a second group out to the right of the course where he tried to pick a lift into the windward mark.

Nick Radley led around the windward mark, closely chased by Miller, Childs, Roberts and Wayling. Down the following 2 legs Wayling and Childs slid past Miller in pursuit of Radley. On the second beat Roberts again went right and this time successfully picked a lift and came into the windward mark in third place having sailed through both Miller and Childs. Radley was stretching his lead and by the end of the run Wayling appeared to be the only one who might stop Radley from achieving the win on his debut. Up the final beat nobody was able to trouble Radley although Wayling was slowly closing the gap. At the finish line it was Radley – 1st ; Wayling – 2nd ; and Roberts – 3rd.

RACE 2

This started with the wind becoming lighter and more variable than in Race 1. Childs broke away early from the start line picking the lifts up in the centre of the course. By the windward mark Childs had opened up a significant lead that would never be challenged. Meanwhile the minor places were being fiercely contested. James Jarvey and Rod Thorpe managed to force their way in behind Childs; the race finishing with Childs – 1st ; Jarvey – 2nd; and Thorpe – 3rd.

Before the start of Race 3, a break was taken for lunch. Fortunately this coincided with the wind dropping away to nothing whilst we were off the water.

RACE 3

By the time Race 3 started the wind had built up again to a gentle Force 2, although there were dead pockets that could be seen across the water which were to be avoided at any cost.

With helms having refuelled at lunchtime there was an added haste to get to the start line; a ‘general recall’ thus ensued before the race finally got underway at the second attempt.

 Childs, Wayling, Miller and Jarvey got away well and Childs led Miller around the windward mark. Along the second reaching leg, Wayling and Jarvey pulled through Miller and set off in pursuit of Childs. Along the second beat Childs, uncharacteristically made a poor tack onto a leader giving an opportunity for Wayling to sail away underneath him and take the lead to the windward mark and through to the finish. The race result was: Wayling – 1st ; Childs – 2nd; and Jarvey – 3rd.

RACE 4

The wind had now settled to a consistent Force 2 to 3 across the water with the windless pockets now filled in.

Feeling bold James Case and Miller pushed for a pin end start thinking they would be covered by those at the committee boat end. Being too eager they were both spotted for being over the line and both had to return to a re-start.

Meanwhile at the front of the fleet Jeremy Taylor had found his form and led Childs and the remainder of the fleet up the beat. Case and Miller seeing the fleet slowing to the left of the course, headed right and began to pick off the back markers up the course.

 Taylor continued to lead Childs and Wayling down the remaining legs of the course but the pressure told at the final mark to the finish line when Taylor did not adequately cover Childs who tacked onto a lift and managed to pip Taylor to the finishing line. The race result was: Childs – 1st; Taylor – 2nd; 3rd – Wayling.

A great day was had by all and although at times it looked as though the wind might die altogether, the Race Committee managed to get all the races completed.

 Our thanks to Alton Water personnel for hosting the event; to Jerry Andrews and Gavin Johnson for being our Race Committee; to our series sponsors JJ BOATS and TEMPRE TECH, and to our Events Sponsors – The Morton Partnership Ltd for the host of superb prizes.

Results below:

Rank

Tally

Class

SailNo

Club

Helm

R1

R2

R3

R4

Total

Nett

1st

1

Phantom

1274

Northampton

Simon Childs

4.0

1.0

2.0

1.0

8.0

4.0

2nd

2

Phantom

1175

Northampton

John Wayling

2.0

4.0

1.0

3.0

10.0

6.0

3rd

3

Phantom

1209

Hickling

James Jarvey

6.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

15.0

9.0

4th

4

Phantom

1305

Alton Water

Ian Miller

5.0

9.0

4.0

6.0

24.0

15.0

5th

5

Phantom

1278

Creeksea

Chris Roberts

3.0

10.0

6.0

8.0

27.0

17.0

6th

6

Phantom

1255

Wells

James Case

7.0

7.0

5.0

5.0

24.0

17.0