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Phantom - Optimum Time Watches Southern Travellers Series at Paignton SC.

By Douglas Powell

So round 3 of the Optimum Time Watches Phantom Southern Series rolled into Paignton and we were greeted by sun, sea and singlehanders for Paignton’s successful yearly regatta (POSH). Phantoms from Shoreham, Burghfield, Bowmoor, Wimbleball and Royal Plymouth arrived including several where this was their first event in the Phantom.

Saturday was a non-event - the breeze was up/down, and going left/right which made the PRO job almost impossible, so after a few attempts we all headed back to the beach. That night the club laid on a great curry and local beer which went rather quickly – Steve P made a trip into town later and returned to his B&B in the early hours, only for that to result in him unable to sail Sunday!

So onto Sunday – the PRO had made the decision to amend the S.I to allow as many races as possible and to move a little further offshore to get more consistent wind. A ‘short’ wait which allowed the phantoms to do some boat comparing and rig measuring while the high tide / swell prevented launching and then we were off.

Race 1 - The Phantoms shared the start with Lasers, Europe’s, Aero’s and D-Zero’s which made the line a little crowded, but Simon Hawkes, Doug Powell and Ivan Walsh shot off upwind and rounded in that order. Places stayed the same till the next upwind where Ivan got ahead of Doug. Simon was by this time well ahead and won. The battle for second lasted till the last few metres but in the end it was Doug second & Ivan third.

Race 2 – Doug led upwind from the start, but was slowly reeled in by Simon who rounded the windward mark first and stayed there. Doug was second and Ivan third.

Race 3 – See Race 2

Race 4 – Simon messed up his start and was buried under several rows of boats!  Doug, Ivan and the others had a chance! Looking behind, Simon eventually got clear and hit a corner. Approaching the windward mark there was a new name in the mix; Jon Cooper, he had found 5th gear and was right there. With a 150 mtrs to the mark it looked like Doug, Jon and Ivan would round in that order, but Simon had other ideas…. All alone on the left hand side it had paid off and Simon was a 100 mtrs ahead of anyone else! Doug hit the windward mark and decided to “at least beat Simon to the shore” and retired. Ivan and Jon battled around the course and it was Ivan 2nd and Jon 3rd.

So Overall - Simon Hawkes 1st, Doug Powell 2nd and Ivan Walsh 3rd

For the Southern Series Simon now has a firm grasp on the lead with wins at Wimbleball, Frensham and now Paignton – who will catch him?.

The Phantoms would like to thanks Paignton Sailing Club for laying on a great event and the Race Officer & his team for incredibly getting in 4 great races on the Sunday.  See you next year.

The Phantom’s have a busy year in 2016 with regional travellers series in the East, South, Midlands, North and Scotland + a UK wide Grand Prix Series of 6 events including the Nationals in Sept. If you weigh 90-120kg  then simply ‘get a Phantom or it will haunt your forever”. www.phantomclass.org.uk

Optimum Time Watches 2016 Phantom Southern Travellers Series Round 3 at POSH

We travel to Paignton Devon this weekend for the Paignton Open for Single Handers for what is looking like a great event both on and off the water. Weather forecast is looking good. 6 Phantoms pre entered so far with hopefully a few more turning up on the day.

Ivan 1300

Optimum Time Watches Southern Travelers series Frensham Pond Open Report

Upon arrival we were promised that the forecast wind direction was on the of the best for sailing on the pond. This had not taken into account the upset of having visiting boats some even tasting of salt and this effect on the local Dragons Fren- water and Sham- wind, which would use their powers to cause chaos to all at times.
Race 1
Two boats broke away from the fleet and led for a long time only to be undone by and Fren and Sham combining to befuddle them and send them to the wrong mark. This caused Steve Popple to who had been lying second to depart.
Rob Starling won the race with Nick Mason second rumour has it that you have to ask the correct former police man for directions as Simon Hawkes was another led astray resulting in his discard.
Race 2 
Simon Hawkes must have negotiated peace with the local dragons as he proceeded to sail a clean race for the first of his three wins.  By now the water and wind were combining to blow hard, shift and then grab unsuspecting helms from the boat for a cooldown.  Chris Shelton sailing a consistent day was second. Further back in the field I was overtaken by two local boats Bob Larder and Justin Phillips on the last beat and with a short run to the finish much muttering was to be heard from my boat then Sham heard my prayers and blew capsizing both Bob and Justin with Justin only about 4 meters from the line to much applause from the race team.
Lunch was enjoyed by all and also allowed the breeze to increase.
Race 3
A depleted fleet with one local boat left set out with Nick Mason in irons on the start for he claims 3 minutes which was still not enough for him to stay behind me.
Jeremy’s orange logo and numbers must have upset you know who as a large gust hit him on the bear away only to snap his goose neck.
Simon wins again, Chris second, Nick third, 
Race 4
I missed most of this after an early dunking.
Simon 1st, Nick 2nd Chris 3rd Rob 4th. Which with tie breaks used was the final result

Simon Hawkes 1282 Wimbleball SC (10) 111 Nett 3            1st
Nick Mason 1386 Island Barn SC 2(4) 32 Nett 7              2nd
Chris Shelton 1211 Downs SC (3)223 Nett 7                  3rd
Rob Starling 1431 Burghfield SC 13(5)4 Nett 8              4th
Gordon Kingston 1430 Lee on Solent SC 674(DNF13) Nett 17   5th
Ivan Walsh 1300 Shoreham SC (9)865 Nett 19                 6th

Optimum Time Watches 2016 Phantom Southern Travellers Series Round 2 at Frensham Pond Sailing Club

Frensham Ponds Sailing Club Surrey is in a nice central location for southern travellers to get to easily. First start 11.00 with 2 races in the morning and 2 after lunch of about 40mins each. See club website for NOR and directions. Easy launching off jetties and no weed on a picturesque lake. Free tea too !!
Come and race your Phantom against Phantom sailors...

Ivan Walsh
Phanton Southern Area Rep

Eastern Series - Fisher Green Open Report

A beautiful days sailing was had by the seven visitors and two locals at the first Eastern area meeting of the season.

The wind direction was perfect for the venue allowing a windward leg for the full length of the pond, returning to the leeward end via a series of reaching and running zig zags.

The sun shone, 10 to 12 knots plus the odd gust to catch some out, no weed and plenty of water, a perfect day to sort out the boat speed after the winter.

Boat speed had not deserted Matt who proceeded to get three straight wins, only having to work in the second race where Nick led round the first mark having made a superb port tack flyer at the start.

In the 1st race, Matt was followed home by Nick and Tim P.

In the 2nd race Matt had to work a little harder, with Nick leading for the 1st couple of marks, Tim P. was initially 3rd but decided  the water looked so inviting a protracted swim was called for! This let Paul through to 3rd place.

The final race saw Matt disappear into the distance follow initially by Tim P. and Nick, this time it was Nick who opted for a swim allowing Graham up to 3rd.

Thanks to Fishers Green for a well-run meeting, super food and hospitality.

See Fishers Green’s Facebook page for more pictures : https://www.facebook.com/FishersGreenSailingClub

 

Position Helm Position Points
1st Matt House 1 1 1 2
2nd Nick Yannakoyorgos 2 2 4 4
3rd Tim Platt 3 8 2 5
4th Paul Bidwell 4 3 5 7
5th Graham Dale-Jones 5 6 3 8
6th Tim Gold 6 5 6 11
7th Ken Daniels 9 4 8 12
8th Ian Hill 7 7 7 14
9th Jon Pulfer 8 - - 17

 

 

The next Eastern Event is The Eastern Area Championship at The Royal Harwich Y C on the 21st 22nd May.

Optimum Time Watches Southern Travellers Series race report from Wimbleball

Two travelling phantoms were warmly greeted by the two home sailors on a chilly morning at the picturesque Wimbleball sailing club and got the boats set up before an excellent breakfast from the galley.
Race officer Tony Paine gave a humorous and relaxed briefing expaining the traffic light starting system and course. The wind ranged from 10 -16 mph and was very gusty. With no recalls and Simon Hawkes taking a clear lead that he extended to the finish. Paul Birbeck back in a borrowed boat, Steve Popple and Ivan Walsh tussled with places being swapped and finished with Steve 2nd Paul 3rd and Ivan 4th.
The hard working galley volunteers provided a delicious choice of lunches and birthday boy Steve treated us all to the shepherds pie. Refuelled for the afternoon race 2 was another clean start with Simon taking the lead and again place swapping only this time Paul getting the better of Steve for 2nd and Ivan a close 4 again.
Final race 3 another fine start and a familiar flying Simon being chased hard with Steve capsizing and Ivan hailing 'you didn't want to do that' as he sailed by in pursuit of Paul. Having caught Paul, Ivan fully hiked was caught by a wind shift and tipped it in to windward. Paul showing genuine concern for his visitor hailed 'are you all right' as he and smiley Steve sailed past. Steve took 2nd Paul 3rd and Ivan 4th and Simon kindly waited on the slipway to catch us in the on shore breeze. Well done on a convincing overall win to Simon Hawkes.
During prize giving Simon awarded Ivan swimming lessons !!!
We would like to thank Wimbleball volunteer members on and off the water for their hospitality organisation and high quality racing. We would like to thank Exmoor Ales for sponsoring the event and Optimum Time Watches for sponsoring the 2016 Southern Travellers Series.

1 Simon Hawkes 1282
2 Steve Popple 1414
3 Paul Birbeck 1419
4 Ivan Walsh 1300

Round 2 at Frensham Ponds Sailing Club on Sunday 10th April

See you there

Ivan 1300

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