The final positions for the Phantom North 2014 series, are now published and the prize giving was held at Crosby SC on 12 October 2014. There was close competition and tactical sailing during the final event at Crosby and that had an impact on the overall series positions. As they say, “It’s not over until the final whistle”.

The Phantom North 2014 series was sponsored by www.standardsplus.co.uk , who provide business to business advice on ISO certifications.

The Phantom North fleet has grown over recent years with an average of ten boats at each event. There is always good humour between the sailors and plenty of “banter”. The Phantom appeals to a wide range of sailors, with the youngest in the series being in their thirties, and some are still competitive aged over sixty. A total of 36 helms entered the series, travelling from 24 clubs in the North of England, North Wales and the Midlands.

Dates for the 2015 series are being finalised and we hope to have 8 events between April and October, with a mixture of small inland waters, large lakes and sea sailing. Some great sailing is planned. The two show-piece events are the Northern Championship on 11 and 12 April 2015 at Leigh and Lowton SC, and class racing as part of the Filey Regatta on 27 and 28 June 2015.

New for 2015 will be the “Bring a friend / Plus 1” campaign. There’s a prize for the person who recruits the most new Phantom sailors to an Open event during 2015. So, “Bring a friend / Plus 1” to an Open meeting and you’ll be in with a chance of a prize.

Phantom North 2014 final positions:

1st, 1342, Ed Thomas, Tb4e.com

2nd, 1412, Adam Perry, Pennine SC

3rd, 1111, Ollie Shaw, Leigh and Lowton SC

4th, 1309, Matt Neild, Royal Windermere YC

5th and best newcomer award, 1341, Ronnie Goss, Burwain SC

6th and newcomer award, 1175, Matt Harris, Southport SC

Full results can be found on the Phantom Class website (http://www.phantomclass.org.uk/w/)

Written by Ollie Shaw, Phantom North Rep.

Phantom North 2014 winners

Downs Sailing Club hosted a Phantom Open Meeting on Saturday 4th October in conjunction with the Contender and RS600 classes. Unfortunately a poor weather forecast resulted in a disappointing entry, but the sailors who did attend experienced some great sailing.

Following a complementary bacon roll, race 1 got underway in about 18 knots SSW. By the end of the long first beat, the running order that would follow for most of the event was in place. Steve Popple was leading from Chris Shelton, with Sam Taylor-Nobbs a close third. A mistake at the end of the run meant that Sam dropped back, whilst Steve and Chris pulled away from the fleet. However a navigational error at the end of the race handed Chris the victory, Steve was second and Peter Harlow third.

Race 2 started in a strengthening wind, that had now tracked SW. Soon after the start Sam Taylor-Nobbs was forced to retire with a nasty kink in his carbon fibre mast. By the end of the first beat Steve Popple had a good lead whilst Eric Styles, Richard White and Chris Shelton were rounding the windward mark at the same time. Unfortunately both Eric and Richard had a swim which enabled Chris to get away from them. By the finish it was a clear victory for Steve, with Chris second and Peter Harlow staying upright to claim third place.

For the third race the ebb tide had started and the wind had moderated slightly to about 15 knots SW. Chris Shelton lead around the windward mark very closely followed by Peter Harlow and Steve Popple. Chris and Peter were side-by-side down the run, but Chris managed to just pull ahead by the leeward mark. Steve sailed very well up the second beat and rounded the windward mark just ahead of Chris, whilst Peter lost ground. Down the second run Steve gybed inshore to dodge the tide, but Chris found some bigger waves offshore to round the leeward mark ahead. With only a short beat to the finish, the final positions were Chris first, Steve second and Richard White third.

As the Race Officer prepared to start the fourth and final race, the sky turned black, the wind shifted by ninety degrees and the gusts were hitting 30 knots. He was left with no option but to abandon and send the fleet home. The sailors were not disappointed, they had had three good races and the jacket potatoes and cakes in the clubhouse were very welcome.

This was the first Phantom Open Meeting at Downs SC and the club had run an excellent event in some challenging conditions. The plan is to host a 2-day meeting next year and hopefully the weather will be kind and the entry better.

Results

1st Chris Shelton (Downs SC)

2nd Steve Popple (Shoreham SC)

3rd Peter Harlow (Lilliput SC)

4th Richard White (Downs SC)

5th Eric Styles (Downs SC)

6th Sam Taylor-Nobbs (Downs SC)

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Five Shustoke Phantoms and one visitor ignored the forecast and came along to the Open and were greeted with coffee and a glassy reservoir to watch. The OOD flew a postponement, but by late morning the zephyrs had aligned sufficiently to give it a go. In such conditions you know what you are in for and sure enough we got beats, reaches and runs on each of the legs.

First race produce a surprise with Ann Biglin (her first sail in a Phantom) getting to the first mark first, and holding the position all the way to the finish. Second was Andy Beardshaw, third Roger Hopper.

Second race gave us a running start, something we had not practiced recently, and resulted in multiple place changes all around the first lap. In the nominally downhill part of the second lap, the wind filled in in a steady direction but resulted in a lap of four reaches. Jim Hopton got the breeze first, with Andy in second and Tony Fulford in third.

Final race (yes, we got three in!) gave us all a challenge when the wind shifted just before the start giving us a different set of reaches. This time Andy lead all the way around and was looking to take the honours when a miss understanding was made on the finishing process and Andy sailed to what turned out to be the wrong mark. This enabled Roger to win, Jim second and Ann third.

The fall of the results required the third race to be used for places 2, 3, & 4, sadly dropping Andy from probable first to fourth overall.

My thanks to the OOD John Dransfield who had a very tough job with unforgiving conditions. It would have been easy and acceptable to abandon, but it was good to have the race.

Rank Sail no Club Helm Net points
1 1158 Shustoke S C Jim Hopton 3
2 1428 Shustoke S C Roger Hopper 4
3 1123 Shustoke S C Ann Biglin 4
4 1383 Redditch S C Andy Beardshaw 4
5 1347 Shustoke S C Chris Biglin 8
6 1387 Shustoke S C Tony Fulford 9

 

 

There were 12 boats competing for the Minnis Bay Open & East Coast Champ's on 20th-21st Sept.A light onshore Northerly Breeze greeted the competitors on Saturday. A windward -leeward course was set by the race team,and starting from the club line. Race 1 got underway with a short Port tack Fetch with the tide to a Hitch mark.On rounding the majority favoured maintaining port tack before heading offshore to the Weather mark.On rounding the Weather mark the fleet was of one mind and gybed to run inshore out of the tide. On rounding the leeward mark it was a short reach to the line.The competition was tight in this first race with line honours going to Matthew House. Race 2 was another competive race, and first to cross the line was Ian Miller.
For race 3 the wind increased slightly and the tide was begining to slack. Again there was competitive racing throughout the fleet with Ian Miller securing his second win.
Overnight the wind had increased. On Sunday morning it was blowing onshore at 17knt's. Also there was a lumpy sea running offshore and breaking surf onshore. Three races were scheduled for the day and those keen to compete sailed out through the surf. Race one started with a short sprint to the Hitch mark. Safely round that the fleet beat offshore into steep sea's to the Weather mark, At this point Clive Morleys race was cut short when his Carbon Boom snapped. The run inshore proved exciting with some surfing down the following sea. The race finished with a win for John Wayling. Race 2 was another competitive race with John Wayling crossing the line first. As the start signal went for race 3, Matthew House planed across the line at the pin end only to part company with his boat which capsized across the bow of Eric Styles Phantom causing him to capsize. The rest of the fleet sailed off leaving the casualty's in their wake.Another close race ensued with John Wayling taking line honours after fighting off a close challenge from Chris Shelton. Congratulation's to John. Open Winner and East Coast champion.
A great weekend sailing. Thank you Minnis Bay Sailing Club for your excellent Hospitality and management of the event.
Results
1st John Wayling        (9)
2nd Ian Miller               (10)
3rd  Matthew House     (15)
4th  Stewart Jarvis        (26)
5th  Eric Styles            (27)
6th  NickYannakoyoruos  (29)
7th  Chris Shelton           (35)
8th  Clive Morley             (36)
9th  Warren Martin          (45)
10th Steve Popple           (46)
11th Richard Eperon        (52)
12th Jonathan Pulger       (57)
IMG_2719 IMG_2748
IMG_2814 IMG_2814
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A view from the middle of the fleet....

With Chris Roberts not able to attend due to illness, it was bound to be his ideal conditions, sure enough a North Easterly F2 built as boats slid down the muddy slipway and headed out of the harbour mouth. A strong incoming tide running with the wind resulted in a long slog uphill to the mark. The course was laid out in Walberswick bay a good distance from the shore so those choosing to head in to the shore to get out of the tide had a long way between themselves and the mark to gauge when to lay it. The left(shore) certainly paid and those able to judge the mark gained places. Ian 'Windy' Miller found excellent form and took the first win with John 'Titch' Wayling and myself chasing him hard. The second race saw most of the fleet head left, Windy however sniffed out a wind shift which lead him further out into the tide and then it cruelly swung back leaving him with a slog to the mark. As he worked his way up to the mark he watched many boats slip round the mark ahead of him....

So with the winner from the first race suffering at the back of the fleet, Titch and Matthew House started their duelling with Matt taking the win. Nick Favell made an appearance at the front half of the fleet to take 3rd place ahead of phantom open newcomer Nick Yannakoyorgos.

The final race on Saturday saw the whole fleet head left and stay there regardless of any tempting shifts. Titch managed to hold off Matt and Windy to grab the race win. So at the end of Saturday, with a different winner in each race, Titch had the lead on count back.

Rumours were abound that further light conditions would be arriving for Sundays racing. So tired sailors headed off to eat and rest. Windy had graciously offered floor space to those not wishing to sample a cold night in a tent so a good evening was enjoyed at his mothers house. Windy and Henri's dog, Ditto, also had a good evening finding a great deal of pleasure in first Daren's leg and then newcomer Nicks. Obviously a phantom sailors leg has very attractive properties.

A cloudless sky and F2-3 South Easterly greeted the sailors as they got ready to race. The sea hadn't taken kindly to the change in wind direction overnight which resulted in two converging wave patterns. The PRO decided that a starboard rounding course would be the most fun due to the wind/tide directions. Titch and Matt continued their duelling with Titch gaining upwind to take the win. Nick Favell managed to grab second from Matt. In the second race Titch once again got ahead of Matt to take the win. The final race was delayed while a small course adjustment was made due to the wind moving round. This resulted in the best reach of the day with plenty of speed and spray to enjoy. Titch took his third win of the day and Matt bagged another 2nd place.

Some cracking sailing was enjoyed over the weekend and thanks to all the volunteers on the boats including a guest appearance of Simon Fielden helping out Jez Taylor who both looked like they would have enjoyed a bit of yotting with us....

 

Rank Sailno Club Helm R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Total Net
1st 1346 Northampton SC John Wayling (2.0) (2.0) 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 8.0 4.0
2nd 1432 Royal Harwich YC Matthew House (4.0) 1.0 2.0 (3.0) 2.0 2.0 14.0 7.0
3rd 1305 Alton Water SC Ian Miller 1.0 (8.0) 3.0 (4.0) 4.0 3.0 23.0 11.0
4th 1394 WOBYC Nick Favell (6.0) 3.0 (4.0) 2.0 3.0 4.0 21.0 12.0
5th 1212 RBSC Chris Toothill 3.0 5.0 5.0 DNF(10) (6.0) 6.0 35.0 19.0
6th 1291 Fishers Green Nick Yannakoyorgos 5.0 4.0 (6.0) 6.0 5.0 (7.0) 33.0 20.0
7th 1364 Downs SC Eric Styles 7.0 6.0 (8.0) (7.0) 7.0 5.0 40.0 25.0
8th 1150 Alton Water SC Ian Clarke 9.0 7.0 7.0 5.0 (DNS) (DNS) 48.0 28.0
9th 1378 RBSC Jon Pulfer 8.0 9.0 DNF DNF (DNS) (DNS) 57.0 37.0

DSC_2883

DSC_2897 (2)

And so onto the third event of the ‘Suntouched’ southern series with the annual visit to Frensham pond sailing club in lovely SW Surrey.  Despite the poor forecast of a total drifter, the 5 visitors and 4 home boats were blessed with a cracking day of sunshine and F1-F3 winds.   The weather provided some challenging sailing with conditions ranging from the occasional flat out planning reach to the occasional doldrums and plenty of shifts in between.  The 9 boat fleet proved very even and competitive with virtually everyone having their moments of glory …… and frustration!!

The race officer set some challenging courses all around the pond and using virtually every buoy.  He got in 4 races even with a timing error resulting in a general recall in the third race ….  At least it proved how competitive the starts were with everyone clearly over when the gun went off 7 seconds late!!

Race 1 started off with Last years Open meeting winner Mike Tustin in ‘Mr. Tickle’ leading the fleet but being pushed all the way by local Frensham sailor Nick Royse and followed up in Third by Olly Hopkins.

Race 2 after much place changing saw Mike Tustin near the back of the fleet and Nick Royse out on his own in Front.  Mike managed to fight his way back up to third with Nick the clear winner and Olly second.

After a break for Lunch and after the general recall caused by the timing mistake,  Race 3 started in a bit more breeze and saw hard hiking at least for the first few beats.  Normal service was resumed and after much place changing it settled down to Mike in first place and Nick snapping at his heels to the finish.  Local boy Bob Larder showed his improving form to secure third place.

And so onto race 4 … The meeting would prove a back to back win for Mike Tustin unless Nick Royse could secure another win.  Nick tried his very hardest, but was to be denied by local boy Bob Larder doing a horizon job on the rest of the depleting fleet, to take a clear win.  All of the squabbling behind resulting in a second place for Olly and a third to the ever improving Paul Birkbeck who had travelled all the way from Exmoor with his flashy new steed.

So the overall win for the second year went to Mike Tustin despite his early shower and heading home to get on with some painting.  Second went to local boy Nick Royse and 3rd to Olly Hopkins.

Oustanding acrobatics of the day went to Rich Cumberbatch who achieved a dry capsize by falling into windward, diving over the top and recovering the boat by doing a handstand on the centreboard!!

Many thanks to all the visitors for making the effort to travel and hope to see you all during the further events of the Southern circuit.

Overall results:

Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 R4 Nett Points Pos

1406

Mike Tustin Bowmoor

1

3

1

DNS

5

1

1331

Nick Royse Frensham

2

1

2

RTD

5

2

1298

Olly Hopkins Tewkesbury

3

2

6

2

7

3

1358

Bob Larder Frensham

5

5

3

1

9

4

1385

Jeremy Hudson Frensham

6

9

4

4

14

5

1392

Justin Philipps Frensham

4

4

8

DNS

16

6

1433

Paul Birkbeck Wimbleball

7

7

7

3

17

7

1115

Rich Cumberbatch Castle Cove

9

6

5

RTD

20

8

1343

Richard Eperon Bough Beech

8

8

9

DNS

25

9

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