The 15 boat phantom fleet were greeted with sunshine and light northerly winds for this years Steve Nicholson Memorial Trophy.
The singlehanders were away cleanly and straight away it was clear that it was going to be a tough day on the water with the wind not only shifting lots but also fluctuating in speed across the lake. Andy Couch, Andy Wilde and local hero Will Gulliver all got away well up the first beat which proved to be the making of the race. These three had a close battle and each took it in turns to lead with eventually Will finding himself in an Andy sandwich with Couchy taking the honours. Tyler Harmsworth followed by Mike Webster completed the Phantom top five.
The fleet then hit the clubhouse to re-energise whilst the asymmetric fleet had their first race.
There was a minor delay to proceedings in the afternoon as the double-handers were all rather keen, forcing the race officer to recall the fleet. The single-handers got away cleanly, none more so than Andy Wilde who flew straight up the middle of the first beat to find himself with a huge lead.
This left a very close battle between Andy Couch, Tim Andrews and John Waying for second place which Couchy eventually took but there was no catching Andy Wilde in this race.
Congratulations to Andy Couch who successfully defended his Steve Nicholson crown and win overall from Andy Wilde. Thanks go to Northampton SC for such a great event and also to all the phantom boys for making us the biggest fleet.
|
Position
|
Name
|
Number
|
R1
|
R2
|
Overall
|
|
1
|
Andy Couch
|
1345
|
1
|
2
|
1st
|
|
2
|
Andy Wilde
|
1291
|
3
|
1
|
2nd
|
|
3
|
Will Gulliver
|
1346
|
2
|
11
|
3rd
|
|
4
|
Tyler Harmsworth
|
1340
|
18.5
|
19.5
|
14th
|
|
5
|
Tim Andrews
|
1375
|
36
|
5
|
17th
|
|
6
|
Mike Webster
|
1248
|
25.5
|
15.5
|
20th
|
|
7
|
John Wayling
|
1175
|
39
|
7
|
22nd
|
|
8
|
Nick Orman
|
1383
|
35
|
12
|
25th
|
|
9
|
Nigel Pybus
|
1334
|
38
|
18
|
30th
|
|
10
|
Simon Cowood
|
1304
|
40
|
26
|
38th
|
|
11
|
Ed Thomas
|
1342
|
37
|
41
|
41st
|
|
12
|
Olly Hopkins
|
1298
|
51
|
46
|
47th
|
|
13
|
Dave Pickering
|
1245
|
52
|
47
|
50th
|
|
14
|
Adam Perry
|
1281
|
54
|
53
|
54th
|
|
15
|
Matt Skinner
|
1325
|
56
|
57
|
57th
|