As I recall...
The Tim Hemsley Phantom Southern Traveller Series
Sponsored By Monkey Marine and Exmoor Ales
Saturday
The day of the Lee-on-Solent Phantom Open Meeting brought with it clear blue skies and temperatures in the mid – high twenties. Unfortunately it failed to bring with it any wind.
6 helms stood on the shore looking across the Solent towards the Isle of Wight and were in the minority of people on the south coast complaining about the weather. As a light breeze filled in Nick Orman, Jeremy Hudson, Gordon Kingston, Richard Cumberbatch and The Laurel & Hardy Show of Bowmoor headed out to the start line for the first of the days 3 scheduled races.
Race 1
With most sailors ignoring the bias it was only Jeremy and Richard who headed for the pin. Richard benefited the most and headed left inshore up the first beat followed by Nick. Mike Tustin and Olly Hopkins went right and suffered against the tide. With most helms trying to squeeze every ounce of power out of their rigs Mike was spotted flat hiking up the beat and wishing he’d used a flatter sail. At the top mark it was Richard, followed by Nick Mike and Olly. This was the order for the next lap and half until the final winward mark when Richard hit it and did turns. Nick and Mike capitalised on the subsequent run and the order at the finishing line was Nick, Mike and Richard.
Race 2
Having noted the bias for race 2 everyone headed for the pin this time. Again Richard got off the line first and after heading back inshore for the first beat again lead at the winward mark. Richard rounded first followed by Mike and Nick who both got past on the 1 reach. Olly Hopkins got past on the run and again this order was held for the ensuing laps with Mike taking the bullet followed by Nick and Olly.
Race 3
In the fading breeze and turning tide everyone started towards the middle of line and headed out for the first beat. Mike rounded the top mark first followed by Nick, Richard and Olly. Nick headed inshore for the run “to keep out of the tide” and then grossly overstood the mark. In light of the plethora of bikini clad beauties on the beach the consensus amongst the fleet was that there may have been alternative reasons for such a lapse in judgement. Meanwhile Mike held his lead, and Olly gained 2 places with the finishing order being Mike, Olly and Nick.
Sunday
Race 4
Upon arrival in the dinghy park there was some doubt about whether or there was actually enough breeze to overcome the tide. The race team confirmed that races would still be going ahead and given the conditions Mike decided he would again be able to handle the massive amounts of power generated by his medium cut in the 3 kn gusts and chose to use it again. Ever hopeful of a sea breeze the 6 helms headed back out to the start line.
The start gun saw Richard over the line and having to go back with everyone else making a clean start. Nick headed out into the Solent for the beat and everyone else opted to go up the middle. This paid dividends for Nick who made it round the top mark whilst there was still some semblance of wind. The fickle wind made it nigh on impossible to round for the remaining competitors and much cursing could be heard. Things only got worse on the first reach when at one point Mike and Olly could be seen deep running on starboard with Richard gaining ground close hauled on port. But it was Gordon who made the most ground planning past everyone on a port broad reach in to 2nd.
The 2nd reach had turned into a beat and the last beat into a broad reach with places changing all the while in the light and shifty wind. The race was finished after 1 lap however Nick had still managed to stretch out a 4 minute lead with Mike 2nd and Jeremy, also having made quiet yet steady progress through the shifts, coming in 3rd.
After a 2 hour wait for an inconsistent sea breeze to fail to settle the racing was canned with Final standings being:
1. Nick Orman 4 pts
2. Mike Tustin 4 pts
3. Olly Hopkins 9 pts
4. Jeremy Hudson 12 pts
5. Richard Cumberbatch 12 pts
6. Gordon Kingston 17 pts
The fleet would like to thank the race team and LOSSC for hosting and running the event which, despite weather, was thoroughly enjoyable, the caterers for a superb evening meal and the sponsors for supporting the class.
The next event is Weymouth Regatta on 13th / 14th July and we look forward to a healthy turnout and some more close racing.
