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Phantom open meeting at Bowmoor Sailing Club

by Richard Nurse 2 Apr 19:48 BST1 April 2023

April 1st saw ten boats travel through some small floods to reach the club where a strong home turnout of eight awaited for the 2023 Bowmoor SC Phantom open meeting.

Sailors gathered in the clubhouse for breakfast and briefing as buoys got twisted into place for what would not be the last time of the day. The fleet quickly got afloat on the tropical blue water.

Race one got away, and it was Richard Sims who led the fleet around the windward mark but in the game of snakes and ladders, it was the local of Charlie Samson who would pull through and take the gun followed closely by Chase SC rep Adam Froggatt.

Race two followed quickly after and was once again it was a battle between Adam and Charlie at the front, with Charlie once again coming out triumphant.

Now time for lunch, the fleet headed for the club house as the result was undertaken, the wind flicked 90 degrees but as the fleet returned to the water it moved back 45.

Race three got under way, Adam lead most of the race but made an uncharacteristic mistake and was Charlie that once again take the line honours. With first and second now determined, the final race was no change with Charlie and Adam leading the fleet.

Prize-giving followed where Charlie thanked all involved in the day.

Next up on the Phantom calendar in Shoreham next Easter Sunday and Monday. After that the Inlands hosted by Chase in Staffordshire on the 22nd and 23rd April.

 

all photos © Stephen Tanner

all photos © Stephen Tanner

Overall Results:

 

 

 

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Phantom Open Meeting and Training at Ardleigh Sailing Club
by Eric Howe & Ben Falat 17 Mar 09:23 GMT


Phantom Open Meeting and Training at Ardleigh © Lee Kelly


The first Eastern Area Phantom Open event of the year took place at Ardleigh Sailing Club over the weekend of 11th and 12th March and attracted a dozen boats from across the region.

Our hosts at Ardleigh gave us a very warm welcome - which was surprising as Saturday morning was absolutely freezing. Luckily the sun made an appearance from time to time and there was only a gentle breeze.

Racing would not start until Sunday but 12 Phantoms lined up on the bank for the start of a training day organised by Matt House, one of our hosts from Ardleigh and Chris Roberts long time class supporter and Creeksea Sailing club tweaking expert. Also in attendance was Richard Nurse from class supporters Pinnell & Bax.


The day's session started with a quick check of boats for any "tweaks" that were thought necessary. The first recipient of such advise was Simon Robinson whose mast was notably stood up in the line up of boats. After a quick rake measurement and adjustment of shrouds and lowers his boat was soon sporting the oh so fashionable fully raked look. After a good hour of chatting and fiddling with boats everyone knew exactly what to do so we hit the water for some much needed start practice.

Matt and Chris went out in the RIB and they split us in to two groups. After two short windward-leeward races to get everyone back in a racing mode the principle exercise of the day started. Each flight was requested (okay, shouted at a bit) to get onto the start line with a minute to go and hold position before the start. This is a particular challenge in the Phantom with it's raked rig and large mainsail and some managed better than others on the first attempt.

Boat control and the ability to "pull the trigger" were the objectives and by the second start it looked like the lesson was being learnt. As a reward for their efforts a longer race to give a tour of the reservoir rounded off the day.


I'd rather not say anything about my own precision starting or anyone else's but we were all rusty and Ardleigh likes to interfere as much as it can as well. Great fun, no pressure and got everyone in the mood for Sunday. I would like to thank them from all of us for giving up their time to do this on a very nippy day.

On return to the club the fleet were delighted to tuck into muffins kindly made the day before by Matt's wife Maureen. After some had a crafty nap, whilst others watched a game of Rugby, the fleet gathered again at the local hostelry the "Wooden Fender". This is a perfect Phantom diner as the food portions were huge. I went for the one pound steak and kidney pudding and plenty of beer as the forecast for Sunday was a fresh breeze. A great end to a great first day back in the boat.

Sunday started much, much warmer but as we all signed on at the start hut and looked out across the blackened streaky race course all 12 of us knew what was coming. Ardleigh takes no prisoners in strong gusty wind. It can veer from so many directions and strengths, you never feel settled in the boat and if you do settle it will take you down in the blink of an eye.


Joining in on Sunday was stalwart Eastern Area sailor Ben Falat from Waveney and Oulton Broad. His assumption that perhaps he didn't need any training advice was perhaps prophetic.

The plan for the day was to have three races back to back with two races of around 45 minutes duration to match the club races and a longer third race to make sure the Phantom sailors were completely exhausted.

The race officer for the day was local Solo sailor Steve Ede and he was ably assisted by his partner Sam. It was looking like one of those days where being the Race Officer looked like it may be the warmer sensible option.

The start of the first race saw with a sizeable veer and several boats appeared stranded at the start to leeward of a bank of trees. Having got away into the main open area of the reservoir the shifts also hit home with a freshening breeze making for a game of snakes and ladders. The leaders battled it out in a three way battle between Richard Nurse, Matt House and Ben Falat.


Richard & Matt were always a step ahead and had a very close battle with Ben trying to get within touching distance but not quite making it. The leaders finished in that order and the fleet generally had plenty of place changing and weird moments of being becalmed or pummelled by the downward blasts of wind over the dam wall or banks.

The second race got under way in a similar manner with those attempting to start at the far end of the line finding that the trees were preventing a clear run at the line and those starting at the club end of the line having too much wind. At the last moment Richard Nurse and Chris Roberts were able to coax their boats forward onto the line and set off into the main race area whilst the rest of the fleet struggled to get away.

A theme to the days racing should by now have become apparent. It was shifty, it was gusty, it was lully (is that a word? - it should be). Showing their mastery of these conditions it was again House, Nurse and Falat who pulled through to the front and had a real ding-dong battle.

Eventually during the second beat Ben who was lying in third place enjoyed a very personal lift-and-gust to get into the lead (even Eric trying to track Ben was to be denied the full Ben-efit) and whilst Richard put up a late challenge and crossed the finish overlapped it was Ben that had sneaked it with Matt House in pursuit only four boat lengths behind.


The final race had been planned as a longer race but by now the wind had built up further and several helms decided that enough punishment had been taken for the day. Eight boats did however take to the line and provided some cracking entertainment for the spectators. Perhaps due to a lack of "match fitness" or the increasing unpredictability of wind strength and direction there were to be more capsizes and retirements in this race.

Having missed out on the Saturday starting practise (ahem..) Ben took an otherwise good start but couldn't tack off and was held-on away from the favoured side, watching both Richard and Matt disappear into another postcode and resume their personal battle. Whilst apparently contemplating retirement Ben nevertheless hung-in since 'anything' could happen in the unsteady windy-to-calm conditions.

And so it was.... first to swim was Richard, letting Ben into 3rd. Richard then obligingly threw in a 2nd and 3rd capsize and decided to call it a day. Meanwhile with no-one challenging him Ben pursued his own course to reel in Matt and sure enough on a third round bear away Mat capsized, head butted the boom and went for a swim.

Ben, perhaps "slow-n-steady" as maybe are most Grand-Masters (70+), consequently took his second win which gave him the meeting with two wins to his credit.

Finally mention should be made of Creeksea Sailing Club member Lee who joined us this weekend and took some great drone footage in what can only have been the toughest conditions possible. Footage has been posted on the Eastern Area Facebook group for those that wish to observe the shifts for themselves.

The next event in the Eastern series calendar is at Stone Sailing Club on Saturday 29th April.

Results

 

 

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Phantom Southeast Traveller Series 2022

by Chris Shelton 10 Nov 09:16 GMT

 

Phantom class South East Traveller Series at Lee on Solent © Kevin Clark

 

The Phantom class South East Traveller Series started this year at Easter where the class joined in with Shoreham SC's Easter Cup races.

Conditions were pretty much perfect on the Sunday morning as 8 Phantoms sailed out of the harbour to join a mixed fleet of 23 other boats. Steve Popple quickly showed everyone that he had not forgotten how to sail over the winter months, taking two bullets with some impressive boat speed. Monday morning dawned very light, but after a short delay the fleet launched in light winds that built gradually during the day. Steve was still fast and won Race 3 which gave him the overall win for the weekend. Chris Shelton won Race 4 and was second overall, whilst Mark Spruce was third.

In May the fleet travelled east to Downs SC at Deal. The wind gradually built during the Saturday and by the time the fleet launched there was a good southerly F4-5 and a north flowing tide. This meant long beats against the tide and fast downwind legs around the trapezoid course. Steve Popple again showed good speed to take 3 first places this day before the tired sailors returned to shore to enjoy a well earned BBQ.

 

Phantom class South East Traveller Series at Downs - photo © Brian Mumford

 

On Sunday morning the wind was still southerly, but much lighter and this time the tide was flowing south. This meant that the beats were relatively quick, but the downwind legs were very slow. Paddy Denby seemed to like these conditions taking 3 first places whilst Steve was struggling in the light airs. Paddy also had good results on the Saturday which meant that he took the event overall, with Steve second and Ben Falat third, who had travelled all the way from Waveney & Oulton Broad.

June saw the fleet travel even further east to the picturesque Broadstairs SC, although F5 winds meant that there were not many sunbathers on the sandy beach. Wind against tide produced some fair size waves and the order of the day meant staying upright to be at the front of the fleet. Most sailors managed two races, but at the end of Race 3 there were only 2 finishers. If the sailors were hoping for a more restful day on Sunday they did not get it. The wind was even stronger, but with the tide flowing in the opposite direction the sea was slightly flatter. A much depleted fleet took to the water and Mark Spruce seemed to like the conditions taking two first places. However with only 2 boats left racing and the conditions worsening the sensible decision was made to abandon the final race of the day. Only 1 point separated first and second overall, but it was Chris Shelton first, Mark Spruce second and local sailor Al Baker third.

Following a slight break, the fleet re-convened at Lee-on-the-Solent SC at the beginning of August. Held jointly with the South West region this event attracted a larger entry of 12 boats. The wind was a total contrast to Broadstairs with very light and extremely shifty conditions over the whole weekend. The racing was very close with plenty of place changes but in the end it was generally the same bunch of sailors at the front of the fleet, and at the finish line it was normally Martin Watts (Netley SC) first. Martin achieved 4 bullets over the 6 races to give him first place overall. Second was John Wayling from Northampton with Nigel King (Lymington Town SC) third.

The final event of the series was held at Broadwater SC in the middle of October. The only inland venue of the series, this normally attracts a good entry. However this year a number of sailors were down with Covid, and a forecast for strong winds meant that there were only 9 boats. It was a day of big gusts and big shifts which resulted in quite a bit of swimming practice for some sailors. Four races back-to-back took it's toll, but at the end the first two boats were level on points and the result had to be decided on count back by the winner of the last race. This gave local sailor Leigh Riddell first, 2021 National Champion Ian Stone second and Jeremy Deacon third.

Overall the series attracted 33 different sailors, some of whom travelled considerable distances to compete. A big thank you to all of the clubs who hosted the events and also to Dover Trussed Roof Company who donated tankards as prizes for the overall results. Before the final event any one of 3 sailors could have taken the overall result, but as usual, consistency of attendance paid off with the sailors who attended most events being at the top of the overall series results. Overall it was Chris Shelton (Downs SC) first, Mark Spruce (Lee-on-the-Solent SC) second and Steve Popple (Sussex YC) third.

 

Congratulations Chris

 

Overall Results:

 

 

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Burton Sailing Club Phantom Open and Midlands Series Overall

by Mike Webster 8 Nov 15:06 GMT23 October 2022

 

The final event of the HD Sails/Ceildeh Phantom Midlands Traveller Series took place at Burton Sailing Club on the 23rd October.

The autumn storms had been rolling in over the week leading up to the event with the prospects of more over the weekend. That didn't deter the 16 Phantoms made up of 7 visitors and a great turnout of 9 home boats and would have been even higher if 5 other regular racers had been able make the event, but half term put paid to that.

As with most inland venues the water levels were down leading to gusty conditions, but the RO set some short lines and weaving courses providing extremely close racing in all four races.

Race 1
Mike Webster - Northampton SC leading the fleet round the course from the first mark being pushed all the way by Carl Gibbon - Burton SC with some close covering needed for most of the race, however Adam Froggatt - Chase SC pulled through the fleet and with a leg to go took the lead and line honors, with Mike and Carl finishing very close behind.

Race 2
A different battle at the front of the fleet between Carl and Rich Nurse - Northampton SC, Sam Hirst - Burton SC and Josh Hyland - Chase SC. The short legs rewarded good boat handling and looking outside the boat for the big gusts across the lake. Carl managing to hold off Rich with Sam finishing ahead of Josh. A hearty lunch was had by all with the sailors being met by a ray of sunshine after a morning of rain.

Race 3
A true start line made it competitive at the off with Adam leading at the first mark followed by Stuart Turnbill - Burton SC and Mike. As the race progressed Adam and Stuart pulling out an unassailable gap with Adam finishing a leg ahead of Stuart and Carl managing to take 3rd place ahead of Mike.

Race 4
The final windward/leeward race made it all to play for with five possible helms able to take home the chocolates. Rich, Sam and Mike leading at the windward mark stretching out down the run with Carl and Adam back in 5th and 6th. As the race continued it was cat and mouse between the three leaders with changing places up wind and downwind. On the final run Sam leading went right, Rich took the middle and Mike aimed left. By a whisker left paid allowing Mike to take the line a boat length ahead of Rich and Sam putting in another top three finish. Adam and Carl having their own battle with Adam claiming a crucial and event winning 4th place.

With only 3 points separating the top four positions demonstrating how close the days racing had been. Congratulations to Adam on winning the event and an impressive second open in a row, clearly getting used to his new Phantom and one to watch next season!

Overall Results:

 

HD Sails/Ceildeh Phantom Midlands Series Overall

After the final event at Burton SC the closely contested 2022 Midlands Series was concluded with a total of 50 helms taking part, from a range of 21 different clubs. The series this year has been a great success but always looking for more local Midland club sailors top take part. It’s a great way to meet fellow ‘Phantomers’ from outside your own club and learn and develop your skills from experience but friendly sailors.

The series had a mix of regular racers, guest appearances for other classes, new faces in the fleet and the challenge of Inland Championships included in this years mix. With 7 events making up the programme and the generous two event discard the overall results were as follows:

Congratulations to Rob Cook – Northampton Sailing Club on winning the series doubling up with his overall win of the South West Series too !!

A huge thank you to Taxi @ HD Sails and Ceildeh Carbon Spars for again kindly sponsoring the series and for providing the much sought after tee shirt prizes. With plans already being put in place for next years series , soon to be published the class can look forward to more great sailing across the Midlands in 2023.

Congratulation to Rob Cook - Midland Series Winner 

 

Midlands Series Overall Results:

 

 

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Phantoms for Halloween at Oulton Broad

by Bill Taylor 1 Nov 18:45 GMT29-30 October 2022

 

Because the original venue for the last event on the Phantom Eastern series calendar was suffering from a lack of water and excessive weed there was a risk of cancellation; however following brief discussion at the Class Championship, Waveney and Oulton Broad Yacht Club stepped in to host at short notice.

A few sailors arrived on the Friday and took up residence at the historic Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club for the weekend, also enjoying a Class dinner table on Saturday evening.

Arriving at WOBYC on Saturday morning for racing to a forecast south-easterly 10 knots (gusting 20) breeze, four races planned for Saturday and three on Sunday; committee boat starts on the Saturday and from the club line on Sunday.

The committee boat, positioned at the far end of the broad, got the start of race 1 under way. Beating towards moorings at the other end of the broad it was clear to see there were many gains to be won or lost in the shifts. After making a good start and showing good boat speed newcomer to the fleet Duncan Russell (Deben YC) was caught out in a tack by a gust and gave his slot gasket a quick check; there were a few riders caught doing the same during the day. There were many place changes throughout the fleet; local Ben Falat showed the fleet the way around until very late-on when Richard Nurse (Northampton SC) overtook to win and Matthew House (a former local) 3rd.

The same course was used for race 2. With a good start by Ben he managed to keep the rest of the fleet chasing him round the track to take the win, Matthew House 2nd, Richard Nurse 3rd. The sailors paused for a well-earned buffet lunch that the club had laid on. The fleet was then joined by one more sailor Andrew Hunt who, following an impromptu fleet-poll, was pleased to hear that there would now be 2 discards from the 7 planned races; Andrew was back-in-the-'hunt' (pun !).

With late news that a memorial service was due to be held at Raveningham Church, Norfolk, for Betty Taylor, wife of Phantom designer and herself for many years first Class Secretary, the race officer was asked to coordinate an "Afloat Silence" at the next 2 o'clock warning-signal for the fleet to mark respect by all collecting on the same tack, stand-up in their boats and let-sheets-fly.

For race 3 the committee boat was moved to the club end of the broad as the wind had dropped unexpectedly and shifted to the south, with a shorter beat the windward mark got quite congested; the leeward mark at the other end of the broad split the fleet and with further shiftiness a shortened course flag was raised giving Nurse 1st, House 2nd, Bill Taylor (Creeksea SC) 3rd.

Race 4 saw the wind dropping even more to drifting conditions at times, but there seemed to be a trend developing with the top 3 Nurse, Falat and House finishing in that order. The day's racing completed, the fleet headed for the club-house discussing who got what shift right or wrong.

Sunday morning greeted the fleet with rain, more rain and not much wind; using the club line racing soon got under way as a first separate start ahead of the club racing series. Local Nick Crickmore taking an early lead was closely followed by Nurse and Hunt, that would be how they finished.

For race 6 the rain had briefly stopped letting House show the fleet he still had good pace even after complaining about a bad knee all weekend, he took the win with Falat 2nd, Nurse 3rd.

The wind dropping considerably, race 7 was advanced. Falat stormed into an 'unassailable' position and promptly fell into a wind-hole; left-handers Eric Howe and Graham Dale-Jones (both Creeksea) glided in on a gust and right-handers House and Nurse pulled up on a lift dropping Falat from 1st to 9th within only 6 boat-lengths of the first mark. House loudly expressing his "SchadenFreude" now continued his new-found form in the light; GD-J and Howe in 2nd and 3rd eventually couldn't hold off Nurse for long enough to finish it in that order, so House 1st, Nurse 2nd, GD-J 3rd.

All the races over and results in, it was Ben Falat 3rd, Matt House 2nd and Richard Nurse winning his second event in the Eastern series, Richard thanked the club and volunteers for putting on a great event at such short notice, and added that Phantoms would love to come back next year.

Also picking up a major trophy was Bill Taylor for winning the Eastern Travellers series overall from Chris Roberts (non-attendee here) on countback.

Overall Results:

 

 

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Phantoms at The Final Fling in Plymouth

by Mark Spruce 28 Oct 18:36 BST15-16 October 2022

The weekend of 15th & 16th October saw the Phantom class visit Plymouth for the Final Fling, a multi-class end of season regatta hosted by the Royal Western Yacht Club.

The forecast for lots of breeze put some sailors off and others to choose a different, less physical boat but the 5 sailors who did enter completed all four races in what can only be described as "Challenging* - rough* - windy* - very windy* - crazy*" conditions (* Delete or select as appropriate!) Saturday saw an increasing SW breeze as the fleet sailed to the racecourse. By the time the first start came the mean wind speed was around 22knots with regular, sustained gusts of 28-30knots!

Race 1 - Mark (Sprucey) Spruce won the pin end after a GP14 snatched disaster from perfection, wrapping itself around the pin-biased mark, allowing Sprucey to take a 50m lead on the Phantom fleet. He increased his lead as a war of attrition decimated the rest of the fleet, taking the race on handicap despite waring round instead of gybing at all three leeward marks. There was relief all round when the RO sent us ashore, all boats in one piece ready to sail on Sunday.

5 bruised and battered Phantom bods took to the water on Sunday, sailing to the start south of Drake's Island in a building Southerly wind, backing left to the SSE / SE as the day went on.

Race 2 - In ideal conditions Jon Rickard powered off the middle of the line to lead throughout while Sprucey emulated the GP14 with a close encounter with the pin end! Second was Neil Boughton, swapping his 50+foot catamaran for his Phantom with local, Matt Blakeston 3rd.  

Race 3 - Wind increased to 18knots backing to the left. Sprucey won the pin again and lead by 50m at the weather mark only to be ground down on downwind by Jon Rickard who went on to a comfortable win. New boy, Stephen McDonald sailing his first Phantom open since joining the class, slipped into 2nd when Sprucey took a swim on the last gybe!

Race 4 - By now the breeze had increased to over 20knots with some interesting swells coming I from the western breakwater entrance into Plymouth Sound. Sprucey again won the start and led at the windward mark but a close battle with Jon Rickard saw the lead swap downwind. As Sprucey commented ashore later "then Rickard just opened the afterburners with a really impressive turn of speed on the second beat and extended his lead to take his third bullet and the overall win. I could not touch him." Sprucey crossed 2nd to claim second overall and another impressive performance from Stephen McDonald in this strong breeze gave him a well-deserved third place.

With four great races in the bag and a big storm in the Western Approaches, the RO made the sensible call to send the fleet back to Queen Anne's Battery Marina for tea and medals.

Jon Rickard dominated the Phantom class with his 3 bullets on Sunday - not enough to beat the GP14 who took the overall on handicap but giving Jon 2nd overall and Sprucey 3rd overall - a good show from the Phantom Class.

Overall Results:

 

That completes the www.coastwatersports.co.uk sponsored Phantom South West traveller series for the season. Five events across the South West region with three to count, saw a total of 32 Phantom sailors entered and completing at least one event.

Congratulations must go to Rob Cook who took the series in commanding style, winning one event and finishing on the podium in 2 others. Second, by dint of turning up and consistently finishing three events was Mark (Sprucey) Spruce. Third was Nick Orman, after winning two events. Fourth & fifth were Mike Webster and Simo Heusen, all who could have stood on the traveller series podium if they had just completed one more event in the series! Rob, Mark and Nick all win Vouchers from www.coastwatersports.co.uk

South-West Traveller Series 2022 Results:

 

2023 sees a big effort to present a strong South-West Series with events from Plymouth in the West to Lee on Solent in the East of the region. We have chosen 5 events with strong Phantom fleets and will be offering at least one training day (probably in the Plymouth area) to encourage more local boats to take part in these competitive but friendly events. Watch this space and the Class Association and SW Phantom Facebook pages for further details.

As always, big thanks to the continued sponsorship from www.coastwatersports.co.uk who have provided fabulous support to the Phantom Class throughout the season.

 

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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)

 

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