Phantom SE Travellers Series at Broadwater Sailing Club
by Dave Patrick 18 Oct 12:14 BST15 October 2022
Broadwater SC ran its second Phantom Open on October 15th, the last event in the SE series. After a terrific turnout of 17 last year we had high hopes for similar, but commitments, Covid and other age-related problems took their toll on the SE fleet and 9 helms were greeted by coffee and bacon rolls prepared by the Commodore.
The fleet gathered for briefing by RO Dave Weatherhead and with sun shining and wind on the strong side of fresh from the south-west it promised to be a good day. 4 races back-to-back with quick turnaround was planned and a course that was an anti-clockwise lap of the lake (we know the sea boys don’t like too many marks).
Ian Stone got off to a flying start in race 1, leading the way from starboard to the first mark and followed by Leigh Riddell and Jeremy Deacon who had favoured the port end. It was at about that point that the wind got really tricky. Big shifts, lulls and then banging back in big gusts. Hilgard in FSB had his work cut out pinging from one upturned phantom hull to another. 3 boats retired in these tricky almost unpleasant conditions for which no amount of local knowledge could have prepared anyone. Jeremy and Leigh fought for second, with Jeremy taking it but Ian had kept on going and built an unassailable lead to take the first honours.
Race 2 saw Ian get off to another fast start, but on the wrong side of the IDM and he was called back. This left Leigh and Jeremy Deacon duelling for the lead. Ian came back strong and in a luffing battle at the end pipped Jeremy for second, but Leigh took the bullet.
Race 3 and Ian was first to the mark again with Leigh, Dave and Jeremy in close pursuit. Jeremy got past Dave for third and then almost caught Leigh, Ian showed his form and stayed ahead to the end.
Race 4 started well for event organiser Dave Patrick, who lead to the last mark of the first lap before the excitement got too much and with a banging gust took another swim. Local sailor Steve Swinchatt found form, moving up from fourth to take second place from Ian with Leigh taking the bullet for the second time.
With Ian and Leigh on level points the last race win for Leigh Riddell gained him the Broadwater SC trophy for the second year running. Congratulations to Leigh and thanks to the travellers and to Broadwater SC for another smooth and well catered event (hic).
Overall Results: (top three)
-------------------------------------------------------------------