Phantom Eastern series and Bart's Bash at Minnis Bay Sailing Club

There were 12 boats competing for the Minnis Bay Open & East Coast Champ's on 20th-21st Sept. A light onshore Northerly Breeze greeted the competitors on Saturday. A windward-leeward course was set by the race team, and starting from the club line.

Race 1 got underway with a short port tack fetch with the tide to a Hitch mark. On rounding the majority favoured maintaining port tack before heading offshore to the weather mark. On rounding the Weather mark the fleet was of one mind and gybed to run inshore out of the tide. On rounding the leeward mark it was a short reach to the line. The competition was tight in this first race with line honours going to Matthew House.

Race 2 was another competitive race, and first to cross the line was Ian Miller.

For race 3 the wind increased slightly and the tide was beginning to slack. Again there was competitive racing throughout the fleet with Ian Miller securing his second win.

Overnight the wind had increased. On Sunday morning it was blowing onshore at 17 knots. Also there was a lumpy sea running offshore and breaking surf onshore. Three races were scheduled for the day, to include Bart's Bash, and those keen to compete sailed out through the surf.

Race one started with a short sprint to the Hitch mark. Safely round that the fleet beat offshore into steep seas to the weather mark, At this point Clive Morley's race was cut short when his carbon boom snapped. The run inshore proved exciting with some surfing down the following sea. The race finished with a win for John Wayling.

Race 2 was another competitive race with John Wayling crossing the line first. As the start signal went for race 3, Matthew House planed across the line at the pin end only to have his toestrap fail, making him part company with his boat, which capsized across the bow of Eric Styles' Phantom...causing him to capsize. The rest of the fleet sailed off leaving the casualties in their wake. Another close race ensued with John Wayling taking line honours after fighting off a close challenge from Chris Shelton.

Congratulations to John; Open Winner and East Coast champion.

A great weekend sailing. Thank you Minnis Bay Sailing Club for your excellent Hospitality and management of the event.

Overall Results: