Phantom Class Association - 2009 Season Summary

Sitting at 18th in the Nationals attendance table overall on Y&Y and 5th in the Single-handed category, shows how our popularity is growing, With Topper, Oppy, Laser Radial and Solo being the only other classes above us, we have to be the top "Adult sized" single-handed dinghy that comes with the "Grin Factor". With the Contender, Musto Skiff, Finn, Supernova, Laser & OK trailing behind.

We had over 124 different helms compete in our 2009 travellers series with Simon Hawkes, Wimbleball SC winning overall, netting just 18 points from the 24 events. In the "Super Series" 7 country wide events with 4 to count the victor again was Simon, being chased hard by John Wayling, Northampton and Paul lester, Chase.

In the Regional series, 33 helms competed for the South, which was won again by Simon, just 2 points from Gavin young, Cotswold.

In the Midlands 39 helms competed for the trophy which was won by Will Gulliver, Northampton, again just 2 points ahead of Paul Lester, Chase.

In the North entries were down with only 16 helms competing, the overall winner was Alex Morrison, Port Dinorwic who clinched the result by just 1 point from Mike Webster, Delph.

The Eastern Area led the charge with over 55 different helms competing at 9 different venues around the East coast and inland venues. For the second year running John Wayling, Northampton took the title netting an impressive margin of 4 points over his nearest rival James Jarvey, Hickling.

With some new names to the Phantoms but not new to the sailing world, the National events were always going to be harder for the "Old Stalwarts", and so the trend was set, Nick Craig, Frensham Pond took the Winters held at West Riding, Charlie Cumley, Teign Corinthian became our National Champion at Llandudno and at the Inlands "Windy Draycote", Andy Couch, Blithfield held onto his title, being pushed to breaking point by Will Gulliver, Northampton.

I would like to thank all our sponsors, as they say in the "X Factor", in no Particular order...: Mend your Health, JJ Boats, Advanced Safety, Seabrook Developments, Tempratech, Boats 'n' Bits, North Sails, RP Signs, Rooster Sailing, Adnams, The Morton Partnership Ltd, Speed Sails and of course Vandercraft

So what have we got to look forward too? New event for this season is the Europa Cup at Medemblik, a full on Travellers series, Super Series, four Regional series and another new title to sail for "Regatta Series" where results will be taken from the National Regattas held throughout the season. Of course we have our Nationals at Stone where we are guaranteed a fantastic Social, Inlands at Carsington and the very next event, Winters at Oxford, Bring it on !!

See you all at the Dinghy Show...

Titch x