Phantom Eastern Series Round 3 at Creeksea Sailing Club

by Phantom Class Association 24 May 2012 18:48 BST 19-20 May 2012

A total of 14 boats attended one of the Eastern series unique events with a forecast of dropping wind on the Saturday and a stiff Northerly breeze on the Sunday.

Race 1

Race 1 started with the flood tide and to much surprise the line was clear as the fleet held back on the fetch up river. The northly breeze made for a follow the leader course with Chris Roberts and Rod Thorpe exchanging the lead on the way round followed by James Jarvey and Matthew House. With the fleet hugging the south shore to make full use of the slack water on the return to the club.

Race 2

The breeze started to drop so the course was course was changed to a simple triangle off the club to provide a beat. Bu now the tide was ebbing and House led to the first two maks followed by Roberts with the rest of the pack close behind. The beat across the tide in very little wind left half the fleet drifting down river to Burnham as the leaders made it to the far bank. It was now four boat race as first Darren Pike led then Roberts and finally Jarvey as fickle puffs came in from every direction. Jarvey led House to the mark followed by Pike and Roberts battleing all the way to the line.

Race 3

Sunday was a dull day but a good breeze met the competitors for the 3rd race. Again the wind was across the river so it was a struggle to get a beating leg in.

The fleet was once again starting with the tide but all made a clean start and with the stronger conditions the heavier helms started to come to the front. At the last mark there was confusion as to which mark had been passed, leading to a few boats turning back, leaving Neil Fulcher to take the win from Jarvey and Ian Miller.

Race 4

The course had been changed again for race 4 and the fleet disappeared up river leaving House swimming as the toe strap in a borrowed boat failed. The increasing wind gave Lawrence Crispen his first win followed by Roberts and Marcus Ingrim.

Race 5

By now it was a strong Notherly breeze and Fulcher powered away from the line being chased the Crispin and House. Crispin passed Fulcher to lead the fleet round with the 1st three positions remaing unaltered. Strong tidal effects on a headland and gusty conditions led to a couple of capsizes but all the fleet returned home in one piece.

Congratulations to James Jarvey to another win (on countback from Chris Roberts) and a big thank you to all at Creeksea SC for a great weekend.

Overall Results:

1st 1403 James Jarvey, 12pts
2nd 1395 Chris Roberts, 12pts
3rd 1309 Lawrence Crispin, 14pts
4th 1362 Neil Fulcher, 17pts
5th 1355 Matt House, 20pts
6th 1305 Ian Miller, 20pts
7th 1349 Daren Pike, 21pts
8th 1256 Marcus Ingram, 28pts
9th 1278 Tim Harris, 37.5pts
10th 927 John Torrance, 44pts
11th 1404 Ian Sullivan, 48pts
12th 1256A Rod Thorpe, 53pts
13th 1361 Mike Stone, 62pts
14th 1370 Nick Radley, 68pts