Welcome to the website of the UK's premier single handed racing dinghy. Fast, dynamic, energetic and brilliant - Phantom. Get one or it will haunt you forever!

2023 Phantom National Championship at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club - Day 2

by Mark Spruce 16 Sep 21:18 BST16-18 September 2023

2023 Phantom Nationals at Abersoch Day 2 © Peter Hawkins
 
Harry Briddon continues to dominate

After an hour's postponement for lack of wind and a hold on shore to allow The Rock Triathlon and a paddle board race to finish on the beach, the fleet sailed out into a building ENE wind eventually reaching 12knts for the start of Race 3.

Pin end bias spread the fleet down the line with Briddon popping out clear ahead, tacking off the right to pick up a nice lifting breeze on the starboard lay-line into the first windward mark. He wasn't challenged from there with Martin Watts, Mike Webster and Nick Oram fighting for the podium places. Boring Briddon took another bullet.

The wind continued to build to 14/15knots for races 4 and 5 with 7-10degree, regular shifts and nice building swell waves. Finally, proper sea sailing that the Phantom revels in!

Briddon led round the course in Race 4 only to cross the finish line to silence at the end of long, alternating, two windward - leeward and 1 triangle laps. This gave the win to fast improving Jon Rickard (Hooe Point SC, Plymouth) who is blistering fast upwind in breeze. The medium to strong winds brought a new crop of sailors into the front of the fleet with Mike Tustin, Duncan Adams, Adam Froggat and Richard Cumberbatch all showing consistent speed to challenge the established class performers.

 

Race 5 saw normal service resumed with Briddon taking another well-deserved win. His upwind speed and tactics can't be faulted and he works hard on the waves upwind and down- all skills he no doubt learned sailing a Finn in the GB squad in a previous life.

The entire fleet revelled in the perfect angle, high-speed surfing plane back to the beach pushing exhausted hiking muscles for one last grinning buzz!

It was fantastic to see the entire fleet, including the winners rally round to help everyone onto trolleys and ashore through the surf on the beach. This show of class support has been echoed down then fleet throughout the last two days. Simon Hawkes lent a mast to a fellow sailor to keep him sailing and Martin Watts showed his boat work skills to fix Nick Oram's kicker to enable him to keep fighting for the overall podium.

 

Earlier during the pre-race postponement / hold on the beach, tension gauges and tape and rig set up tutorials were given, helping new sailors to fleet get to grips with the complexities of the very adjustable Phantom rig. Great to see.

Tonight, sees the Daily Prizegiving and Class AGM squeezed in around the WC Rugby (apparently, Religion no up here in Wales this evening?). That's followed by a Pie & Mash Supper for all the fleet, volunteers and supporters.

Tomorrow sees the fleet tackle the final two races in similar conditions to today. I'm no mathematician but I'm not sure Harry Briddon can't be beaten. However, the increased breeze has really opened up the top 20 so everyone has skin in the game tomorrow. Watch this space!

Provisional results so far can be found here.

 

———————

2023 Phantom National Championship at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club - Day 1

by Mark Spruce 15 Sep 19:20 BST16-18 September 2023

2023 Phantom Nationals at Abersoch Day 1 © Peter Hawkins
 
 
 

50 boats went to the line in 10-14kts SSW for day one of the Phantom Nationals. PRO Mike Crompton set 2 W/L courses, squeezing a 2 lap second race in with a fading breeze.

After a 2 year absence from the class, Harry Briddon (Ogston SC) started where he left off, winning both races in commanding style.

He was pushed hard in each race by Rob Cook from (Northampton SC) and Martin Watts (Netley SC) who currently sit in 2nd and 3rd overall.

Class legends Mike Webster and Titch Wayling, both from Northampton SC complete the top 5, Titch clearly benefitting from a summer of big fleet racing at the OK Class Worlds.

In both races, the wind threatened to shift hard right as the breeze faded but the left, with a lifting port tack approach to the WW mark kept coming good. With the wind reducing to 8kts for Race 2, many competitors struggled to find the rare streaks of backing pressure across the course.

 

It's also great to see so many new sailors in the class with so much support, tuning and sailing advice being freely offered to bring everyone up to speed. The strong fleet of 50 boats have travelled from as far afield as Northern Ireland, Scotland and Guernsey.

4 races are planned for tomorrow in potentially 15-20knots southerly.

This evening, the fleet are enjoying the Commodore's Reception and Class Curry night at the South Caernarvonshire YC, fuelling up for tomorrow's extra race.

 

—————-

Phantom Nationals 2022 - Runners & Riders

by Mark Spruce 15 Sep 2022 12:44

BST16-18 September 2022

 

Starting this Friday (16th September) and running until Sunday, the Phantom Class are visiting Lyme Regis Sailing Club for this year's National Championships. Here is a guide to the Runners & Riders from my inside source in the fleet.

With last year's National Champion, Ian Stone, not yet entered we will have a new National Champion this year so it's wide open.

In no particular order:

  • The Denby Brothers - Broadstairs SC

    Like an East End gangster film, these two must always be mentioned in the same breath. Blistering quick when they think they're sailing the 'right' boat or have an unbreakable Dutch mast, they are always up there at the first windward mark.

    Beware though, if you meet them in the bar, especially with their "muscle" side-kick Stewart Jarvis - they will make sure you'll not sail the next morning without a hangover! 

  • Bob Portway - Royal Harwich YC

    The unassuming "Grey man" from the East. Tall, thin and light - no one works harder upwind & down, with a very smart head. With light-moderate, shifty, offshore winds predicted he will be right up there. Second at the recent Eastern Championships at Burnham on Crouch, I predict, Bob will win this year's Veterans prize. A definite top ten for sure - could easily be in the top 3 if the youngsters don't hike hard.

  • Richard Nurse - Northampton SC

    My Bookie has heard he's blisteringly quick and also been working on his boat - no doubt adding P&B go faster goodness! Part of the Northampton posse, another winner this year in an Eastern Region muddy ditch, he has raw speed and a lake sailor's mindset which will suit the anticipated offshore conditions. Young and fit, my bookie says top three but don't get caught over the line with that hair colour! 

  • John "Titch" Wayling - Northampton SC

    What more can be said that hasn't already been said about this "Giant" of a sailor. Another of the Northampton posse, he's got good upwind speed across the range and starts reasonably well. A strong second at Lee on Solent. Watch out for him on the runs (and go with him) as he heads off on the opposite gybe - guaranteed to reach the mark 10 places ahead if you don't follow. My bookie says 5-10th.

     

 

  • Nigel King - Lymington Town SC

    All-round, multi-class champion and coach, he'll never start with a hangover. Good all-round speed, excellent boat handling and tactically sound. He may not be there from the start but I guarantee he'll be there inside the top ten by the end of every race. Relentless, like a dog with a juicy bone, Nigel is very hard to shake off. If he has a good weekend, a top 5 for sure! 

  • Olly Hopkins - Bowmoor SC

    Another pond sailor my bookie has never met but he's sailed in the class so long he can do it blind folded. Fast, an ideal Phantom bod (allegedly!) and another puddle sailor, he should appear in the top 10 in most races, especially given the forecast.

  • Mike Webster - Northampton SC

    The aged assassin - smiles a lot, behaves like a gent off the water and a honed killer on it! Don't be deceived - You think you've got rid of him up the beat but he still smiles at you as he tacks inside and ahead at the weather mark. He's got a great all-round game, not many weaknesses and I'd be surprised if he finishes lower than 10th. Big contender to Bob Portway for the Vets prize (along with Graham Dale Jones if it's light winds).

  • Richard Simms - Carsington Water SC

    Mike Webster's assassin apprentice - traveling the country to learn from the Master and the rest of the Northampton posse. Another pond sailor well suited to the forecast, he's always there. If it's not too windy - inside the top 10 - if it is windy, then just outside.

  • Simon Heusen - Lyme Regis SC

    The local favourite and another good all-round competitor. At POSH in May he was very consistent and up there most of the time. He'll be keen to perform in front of the home crowd and keen to get home early to the club facilities following his Thursday evening Class curry night!

  • Stephen Popple - Shoreham SC

    Very fast, particularly upwind in moderate conditions and good most of the rest of the time. Immaculately prepared boat, he's fast when he's enjoying himself. The winner at the Easter Shoreham open. Has the odd stinker which can throw him off his stride but if he gets his head stuck in, completes all the races, on a good day should make the top 5.

  • Martin Watts - Netley SC

    Swapping three hulls for one, he's my bookie's top tip for this year's Champ! Fast upwind and down in all conditions, he'll be fully hiked and de-powering in 2-3 knots less wind than anyone else in the fleet - despite being a giant at 6'4" and 115kg! A top 5 finisher last year, he won Plymouth's Final Fling and Lee on Solent and my spies say he may have been privately training on the water since then. 

  • Chris Shelton - Downs SC

    The quiet man of the fleet and Mr Consistency. Another guy you can never shake off, he doesn't say much but let's his results do the talking. Winner at Broadstairs in breeze, second at Shoreham and 4th at Lee on Solent, he's particularly quick in the light, so well suited to the forecast. I think he'll make the top ten. 

  • Mark Spruce - Lee on Solent SC

    The big man from the emerging Lee on Solent fleet, he starts well, has good upwind speed and will hopefully make top ten at the weather mark in most races. After that he'll just hang on and hope not to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. That means hanging on downwind in the light and not capsizing downhill in the breeze! 

  • Neil Boughton - Royal Western Yacht Club

    Another man swapping big multi-hulls for a dinghy and the Round Britain & Ireland Race for a smaller round the cans, dinghy course. Consistently good at last year's Final Fling in Plymouth, his sailing brain will keep him competitive with this forecast.

  • Ed Child - Lee on Solent SC

    Ed, another big yacht Captain, is swapping his twin, multi-thousand HP Super Charged Yacht diesels for his Phantom. After two months at sea he's keen, young & fit! A good all-rounder with excellent speed he's very good when his head is looking outside the boat. He'll be working hard to match his Dad's (Graham Child) record as Albacore World Champion in the mid-80s. 

  • Rob Cook - Northampton SC

    I can't see him on the list of entries but my bookie's snout says Rob has been seen practising in Lyme Regis for some time now. He would say that Rob is one of the in-form riders - a new boat, fast sailor, used to shifty puddle sailing (Northampton Posse), young (relatively!) and fit. As long as he chooses the right sail from his quiver (not the POSH development sail), he's in my top 3 and a contender for Champion! 

  • Ian Stone - Maidenhead SC

    Again, not seen on the Entry List but THE quiet man of the fleet and current National Champion. A master of every condition, he's recently changed sailmaker. Not so fast at POSH in May (his new sail's luff curve didn't look right on his stiff Selden S3 mast) he must have modified hi rig & sail as I see he cleaned up in July at Northampton. My bookie says top 3 and I agree.

Last notable addition:

  • Simon Hawkes - Castle Cove SC

    Injured back, allegedly caused by lifting a wine bottle at last year's prize-giving, has kept Mr H off the water for most of the season. He's even building a spare parts boat for this event - expect it to have a Contender rudder blade and an Osprey boom but atleast he'll be on the water. Another class stalwarts who can do it blind folded, if his thighs can remember what a hiking strap is, he will be there or there abouts. Top 25 on the water, top 5 in the bar!

Missing in action?

Andy Couch, Nick Oram and Harry Bridon.

I understand Couchey is being taught how to sail properly by the Finn fleet? For a bit of light relief, he blitzed it in Abersoch this summer, so confidence should high if he turns up. A Master of the class, he'll be top 3 - hope to see him on the entry list and I will miss him demonstrating his light, downwind steering and trimming skills!

Nick Oram won POSH overall (all classes - 76 boats) as well as taking the Phantoms. Aggressive starter and lane holder off the line, pretty quick upwind, even quicker down. A definite top 3 if a) He turns up and b) He completes all the races even if he has a bad one! Currently parenting a young family, I'm sure hell turn up eventually when he's old and greying like the rest of us!

Harry Bridon - Bookie's snout says he's too busy playing with Lego Bricks?

So, that's the minor competition but what about the most important prize - the Team Club Prize?

Northampton Posse must be favourites but Lee on Solent are growing and the home team, Lyme Regis, look to have a good turnout, no doubt supported and cheered on by all those French Lieutenant's woman lining the Cobb. Bringing up the rear is the Creeksea Massive but I think they maybe be pushing for the OAP Club prize?

 

 

———————-

 

2023 Phantom National Championship at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club

 

Launch directions ... and other Nationals info - SCYC

 

Heads up fellow Phantomers !!

We have some important and useful info for you all re: the Nationals:

Please see the links attached (above).

Each should take you to a PDF document (via Google Drive) allowing you to print the info if you wish (printer permitting).

To download to your device click this icon (top right of  the opened PDF) 

                                                  

 

FYI:  Friday is an Ironman event so access Friday will be restricted, best to try and arrive Thursday night.

 

Thanks & regards

 

-------------------

 

South Western Series - 'Coast Water Sports' @ Lee on Solent SC

by Gordon Kingston-Minnis 14/08/23 19.12

**ALL PICTURES COURTESY OF JAMIE ROBINSON

Phantom Open Meeting at Lee on The Solent SC on 12th &13th August 2023 sponsored by Rooster Sailing. The event was combined with Contenders, Blaze and the Solution Nationals. Saturday was aiming for a 1pm Start but with the wind blowing F6 and later F7 gusts, the start was delayed allowing for launching in difficult waves.


On the first beat Ian Stone (1280) powered over most of the fleet and took a shift to the right. Coming in from the left at the windward mark Martin Watts (1499) was just behind Ian, with Gordon (1465 & Author) 3rd, Chris Shelton (1491) 4th and Jeremy Deacon (1423) 5th.
We were sailing a Triangle-Sausage course and the first reach was frankly a case of avoiding ploughing the bow into the large very short waves, Kevin Clarke of the Solution fleet has a video showing how not to do it!
I had said I wasn’t going to gybe but hadn’t reckoned on being near the front, stupid boy. After several eskimo roles I had to be helped by the safety team and headed home. On the next beat Ian and Martin stayed close but part way down the run Ian stuck the bow into a wave and ended his race and weekend with boat damage and mast down. Martin took the win; Jeremy had been closing on Chris only to swim at the leeward buoy.


Race 1 - 1st 1499, 2nd 1491, 3rd 1423.
Evening drinks and food at the club and watching England play Wales
Sunday dawned with South Westerly 4 gusting 5 which built during the day.
4 races had been scheduled with the start time bought forward to 10am.

Race 2. First at the windward mark showing once again his blistering pace was Martin, followed by Gordon, Bill Taylor (1273) Chris, Jeremy and only able to sail Sunday, Adam Byford (1486). On the reaches I managed to close on Martin and Bill closed in on me.
Second beat Martin pulled away again and Bill crossed me, then before the windward mark I managed to pass Bill and tacked tight on the RRstarboard lay line allowing for tide. Positions stayed like that until the finish.
Race 2 - 1st 1499, 2nd 1465, 3rd 1273, 4th 1491.

Results: Race 3. Again Martin was leading at the windward mark followed by Gordon and Bill. Chris and Jeremy were close, and I didn’t see which of the two finished 4th.

Martin had held his distance on the chasing pack by the leeward mark and pulled away again up the beat. Bill and Gordon stayed close with Gordon just holding on at the windward mark only to relax for a minute and not watch Bill who gybed away and passed down the run never to be caught again despite my best efforts. Chris again 4th, Jeremy 5th, Adam 6th and joining us Dave Patrick (1303) 7th. Note two other LOSSC members had entered but thought better of it and helped as part of the beach team.

Race 4. First beat Martin followed by Bill, Gordon, Chris, Jeremy, and Adam.
Wind now had picked up a notch. Positions stayed the same only until Bill after 2 laps decided to head in. I thought the race had ended pulled the rig back up eased kicker and slumped only to look upwind to see the Contenders on the top reach, this had allowed Chris, Jeremy and Adam to close. Luckily, I eased away up the beat and onto the reach which had got broader and was now a tricky angle to set yourself in the boat. Just before the gybe mark I buried the nose in a wave and capsized to windward. For me a quick roll and then righting and beached whale impression back into the boat. I carried on and chicken gybed and was bearing away just as Chris got to the mark. Had he gybed he would have got in front but no, sensible guy that he is, he followed my fine example of seamanship allowing me to hang on for second.
Race 4 - 1st 1499, 2nd 1465, 3rd 1491, 4th 1423.

The race team who had done an excellent job in difficult conditions decided that both we and them had had enough and sent us all ashore.
At the shore on both days the competitors from all fleets worked with the beach team to ensure all boats and safety boats were recovered safely.


Thanks must go to Peter Weeks, Commodore Race Officer, and the large band of volunteers that it takes to run open meetings.
Prize giving in our Phantastic club house hosted by Kathryn Clarke of the Solution fleet.

Results:
Martin 1st 1499
Gordon 2nd 1465
Chris 3rd 1423


Full results available on the website www.lossc.org.uk
www.coastwatersports.co.uk

 

 

--------------------------------------------

Phantom 2023 Nationals - SCYC

 

***UPDATE***

 

*** EARLY ENTRANCE REDUCTION EXTENDED TO 1st SEPTEMBER 2023

 

ENTRY to the Phantom 2023 Nationals, to be held at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club, is NOW OPEN.

Click on the link below, to enter. Or, go to the Events TAB, then scroll down to 'Phantom Nationals 2023 - Entry Form'.

Phantom 2023 Nationals Entry Form

 

Key Information:

  • Date: 15th to 17th Sept.23
  • Cost: £205    (early entry cost of £175, if paid before 1st September 2023)
  • Payments can be made on each entry form via PayPal
  • Location: LL53 7DP  Google Maps SCYC
  • SCYC website: https://scyc.co.uk/

 

 

The entry form will need you to complete the necessary information:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Contact information
  • and importantly.. your age on 1st September (for age trophies)
  • Plus... do you need a campervan spot (optional, tick if required)
  • Shirt Size
  • Vegetarian (optional, tick if required)

 

We look forward to receiving your entry.

 

Many thanks

 

 

-------------------------------------------

Phantom Eastern Series and Smugglers Trophy at Royal Harwich Yacht Club

by Nick Thorp 4 Jul 09:59 BST1-2 July 2023

The "Smugglers Trophy" incorporating the Phantom Open on the Eastern Circuit was held at the Royal Harwich yacht club on the River Orwell just outside Ipswich, one of the East Coast's premier yacht clubs.

The Phantom fleet gathered on Friday evening for the Smugglers Trophy, duly setting boats up ready for the early start Saturday before heading off to the local public house, the rather brilliant "Butt and Oyster" at Pin Mill, several ales and plates of fine food were consumed, with a rather blustery and gusty weekend ahead the food and beer was just the preparation the Phantom sailors needed and are known to enjoy.

 

Saturday morning came and the 9am briefing by OOD Jo Hunt was conducted, with the Phantoms to start first and complete an "additional sausage" (seemingly appropriate) on the inside of the rectangular course set by the RO.

Race 1 got away at 10am sharp, with Warren Martin and Bill Taylor trying to get away at the pin end hoping to pick up some tide whilst Richard Nurse, Nick Thorp, Steve Pates, Chris Green, Graham Dale Jones and Roger Smith towards the committee boat end. Within a boats length of the start line an immediate issue for Warren, a "bang" and a realisation his mainsheet block had let go, this was to be one of many gear failures over the weekend.

The first beat was a mix bag with Bill Taylor leading the way, closely followed by Richard Nurse, Steve Pates using local knowledge pushed Bill and Richard hard towards the windward mark, very impressive considering how little time Steve has spent in his Phantom and certainly not in wind like this. Graham sensibly decided to retire with body and boat intact, a mature decision.

The gusts pushing the fleet down hill were quite lively causing one or two issues when it came to gybing and some slot gaskets were closely inspected.

Bill Taylor was obviously hungry as he completed the "additional sausages" and laps without losing the lead and took the bullet followed by Richard Nurse and Roger Smith third.

Race 2, another clean getaway by all including Warren having fixed his mainsheet block issue. The wind was to play dirty and provide entertainment with a massive shift when the newly formed "Creaksea synchronised capsize club" was unveiled, Bill and Roger both got slammed into the river, to windward, for a swim almost like they'd been practicing this manoeuvre for ages to get it so synchronised. Richard Nurse pounced on the opportunity and lead the fleet around the course.

The same downhill gusts provided further entertainment with the Phantoms trying to work across the lanes to their "additional sausage" leeward mark whilst Nationals and lasers headed wider to the standard marks.

Warren made an attempt to interact with the laser fleet by getting a laser hooked up through his transom immediately after gybing on to port, some friendly words were exchanged although the laser decided to push Warren's Phantom quite a distance beyond his required course, raised voices could be heard so we all assumed they were becoming well acquainted, the word protest could be heard but no protest was forthcoming after the racing, unlike Thumper's moaning about every other manoeuvre on the water that day.

The race was won by Richard Nurse who was some distance ahead of the shenanigans going on behind, more gear failure was creeping in as well, Nick losing his outhaul due to boom end failure, dropped his sail jury rigged, re hoisted and tried to make ground back up. Roger Smith recovered from his early capsize which clearly gave him the determination to work hard and get up to second place with Bill third along with the self appointed "fleet liaison officer" (on the water) Warren in fourth.

Race 3: Another clean and clear start as the Phantoms all set off, there were a couple of retirements ahead of race 3 as it had already been a brutal day.

Bill Taylor set about producing some exemplary sailing and pulling out an unassailable lead, the chasing pack tried hard to catch Bill, and, although the Phantoms had completed their "additional sausage" they found themselves coming through the start finish line as the lasers were getting under way, some quick thinking and genuine diplomatic tactics deployed by Nick to tack away from the lasers gave Warren more to become animated about forcing him away from his new Laser friends (and the line crossing he needed to make), sorry... not sorry Warren.

Bill showed the fleet the way round taking the bullet again, with Richard Nurse second and Nick Thorp a close third, the fleet were very happy to reach back towards dry land.

Saturday night the hungry, hangry and battle scarred sailors had a lovely "warm down" (like all athletes) by walking along the beautiful towpath back to the Butt and Oyster, plenty of beer and some big dinners were consumed but no "additional sausages" were on the menu, the first time a Phantom sailor has been grateful of that !!

Further beer was consumed back at the RHYC until the bar was closed so some supplies that had travelled were needed to complete the medicinal recovery from the days graft.

Race 4: Sunday morning brought further wind over tide on the river, coupled with a building breeze ahead of the start 10 am start again.

There were some casualties from the previous day, Steve unable to consider sailing with a knee injury, however, painkillers and a decent breakfast for the willing sailors including 'great grand master' Graham were committed to get out racing, no mean feat considering the conditions.

Race 4 start was rather amusing with Roger Smith taking an absolute flyer on port heading up the beat some ten or more boat lengths ahead only to be turned back at the windward mark with the rest of the Phantoms and declared a void race start, owing to a starting time error, the race officer was a little premature with his horn, probably because the Phantoms had all been a little "line shy" (not really a great surprise with tide under and so much breeze it was hard to settle).

Second time round race 4 got under way with Roger once again trying the port flyer, only to arrive at the line too premature himself this time, stalled the boat stuck in irons and almost capsized, this gave the starboard pack the advantage and water. Bill Taylor once again showed absolute consistent performance gaining a huge lead, Roger, Richard and Warren battled for the remaining places whilst Graham DJ again headed ashore still with boat and body in good shape, Nick had to retire to resolve outhaul issues again.

Chris Green (in his composite low buoyancy former Legend John Torrence's old boat) sensibly decided to retire having seen Bill take the win, followed by Richard and Roger in 3rd (still reeling from the slip up at the start).

With the wind now blowing harder the race officer changed to windward leeward course, with no extra sausage for the Phantoms but a gate at the leeward mark allowing for tactical decisions before pushing through the line each lap.

Race 5 started and a familiar pattern formed again with Bill Taylor setting the pace, however, Nick, Roger, Richard and Warren swapped places time and time again in one of the most amazingly close laps any of us had ever been involved in, 20+ knots of breeze and sailing inches apart almost the whole lap.

Bill pulled away whilst the chasers fought hard, Richard got a few yards ahead grabbing a little clear air and took a good second place, Warren tried time and again to get ahead including differing gate tactics which worked and earned 3rd place by a nose from Nick then Roger all seconds apart.

Final race, race 6, got away cleanly and again Bill Taylor laid his stall out and showed us all what consistency means, he looked as comfortable as he does driving his Romford Red Bus. A fifth bullet for Bill and again the fighting pack slogging it out to avoid the dreaded 5th position which comes with certain fleet duties (normally reserved for Eric).

Richard, Roger, Warren and Nick pushed each other with places swapping both up the beat where Richard and Warren were strong and down wind where Roger regained all ground lost up wind, Warren pulled a "rabbit out the hat" to get into 3rd at the end of the first lap, sadly when trying to repeat this, the rabbit went down the "Warren" in a tack before the finish line leaving Bill in a clear first, Richard again in second and Roger 3rd "by a nose " over Warren 4th and Nick 5th.

A great weekend of sailing that had several challenges for everyone except Bill and his consistent performance taking the Smugglers trophy in the Phantom fleet with Richard second and Roger third.

Creaking bones and aching muscles packed boats away which was soon forgotten when the trophies were handed out by the Royal Harwich yacht club.

Onward to Yarmouth and Gorleston on the 15th and 16th July for some sea sailing amongst friendly competitive fleet.

For further images of the Smugglers Trophy please visit pavelkrickaphotography.shootproof.com/gallery/RYHC-Sailing

Overall Results:

 

 

-----------------------------------------

Random Phantom Image

Class Supporters