Phantoms at the Weymouth Regatta

The Phantom Fleet turned up at the Weymouth Dinghy Regatta to round 3 of the Spinlock Super Series, with enough boats to make their own start they were greeted by some proper sailing weather.

In a 17– 28 knot South Westerly, the PRO decided to take both fleets, "Viking" and "Imogen" out into the bay, the fleet left the shore with smiles on their faces and broad reached / ran down to the start line some 3 miles away.

Race 1 - With the Phantoms taking 2nd spot following the fast handicap they had good sight of the bias in the line, which was pretty square with no "Little Monster" to do a port flyer.., the start was clean and it was clear the 1 mile sprint to the windward mark was going to be hard work, Wayling rounded 1st closely followed by Tustin with Miller in third, with some place changes below 2nd Wayling and Tustin duked it out and rounding the last leeward mark Wayling had the lead by a boat length, he waited patiently for Tustin to tack for the line, Tustin tacked and Wayling held on for one more wave to "Get it Right" only to drop the mainsheet on hiking out after the tack... Tustin took the 1st bullet of the day by a forestay, Wayling 2nd and Hopkins 3rd.

With a bit of a wait while the other fleets finished the trapezoid course and then a slight reset of the course to make it a little smaller they were ready for race 2

Race 2 - Another clean start and another long beat up to the Harbour wall showed Wayling rounding 1st followed by Hopkins in 2nd and Tustin in 3rd, would Wayling make another mistake and would Tustin get by the much improved Hopkins? The conditions were tricky and tripping up was easy! Tustin pressed Hopkins hard but everybody kept their place and the one two three was confirmed at the gun but the exhaustion was clear to see having completed another hour of racing...

Race 3 - Was to be the decider for the day, Tustin set off from the line like a scolded cat, only to be overhauled by Wayling who had greater speed but less height, Tustin tacked off and went right, Wayling should have known better and followed, but he was out in Weymouth Bay on the Lumpy Bumpy and enjoying the pain!, When they met again near the top mark Tustin had the edge, but House had also found his rhythm and was pushing hard for that 2nd spot with Shelton also in the running for a top 3. The reaches were fast and furious with a good 25 knot breeze and 28knt gusts... most of the fleet had survived and up the short beat of the outer leg of the trapezoid course Wayling got by Tickle only to lose the place down the short run, the finishing positions were Tickle, Wayling and House.

The 3 mile beat back into the harbour was a slow cruise, saving energy for tomorrow was key?! Saturday night was spent eating steak and drinking rum to dull the aches.

Sunday dawned with a forecast of more of the same but with some rain thrown in for good measure, the PRO decided to let the "Imogen" course stay in the Harbour and "Viking" out to sea, luckily the Phantoms were on Imogen with looks of relief to be in the Harbour.

Race 4 - With everything the play for Tustin made his intention clear and House, ever improving was putting the pressure on, Hopkins was on fire and Wayling just hanging in there, the positions changed up the beats and the reaches were fast with some helms (Tickle) opting for the "Grab the Gunnel" safe mode but still managing to get into the lead at the leeward mark, the beats were still tough with the only advantage from yesterday being the salt was washed out of your eyes by the rain!, meanwhile Hose and Hopkins were having a battle royal up the beats with House having the better speed on the reaches. Final top three were Tustin, Wayling & House.

Race 5 - With two races left if Tickle won then it was game over, Wayling was heard to say to Tickle "Don't mess this up or we will have to stay out for another race", and he didn't, with weary legs the tacks were deliberate and the toe straps shortened, top three through the line were Tustin, Wayling & Hopkins, which is how the overall result stood.

Thanks to Castle Cove SC who did a great job of organising the event, Spinlock for their sponsorship, next event is this weekend at Walton & Frinton.

Overall Results: