Phantom Eastern Series at Alton Water Sports Centre
by Nick Favell 19 Oct 2016 17:43 BST
15-16 October 2016
Alton Water hosted the last round of the 2016 travellers circuit with 23 entries from around the Eastern region and further afield. The largest contingent were from Creeksea SC with six boats and one Alton based ex-Phantom sailor re-joined the fold for the weekend whilst Matt Hart also from Alton gave the boat a go.
Sailors were greeted with light shifty winds on the Saturday with the days proceedings kicking off with a phantom tuning tutorial by sailors from the front of the fleet, followed by 3 practice races. The last race of the day started the series and in light shifty winds the race was won by Alton water sailor Matthew House coming back to Phantom sailing after a summer sabbatical big boat sailing in Scotland.
That evening The Gardeners Arms hosted 22 sailors and PWAGS for the evenings End of Season meal and social gathering. At the end of the evening half the fleet seemed to be staying with Matthew House, whilst the Creeksea and one Oulton Broad sailor went back to the comfort of the back of their vans and cars.
Sunday morning welcomed fresher winds after the rain cleared through and racing got under way in good force 3. The first beat was a little confusing for some who headed to the wrong mark. The wind continued to freshen and with some taking an early bath the first race of the day was won by John "Titch" Wayling. Race 3 followed shortly after and John having got the measure of the conditions took his second bullet of the day.
Race 4 saw a different leader as Adrian Coatsworth opened up a good lead and looked unbeatable until brain fade set in, and on the trapezoidal and sausage course that had been sailed all weekend he set off for the wrong mark. He was so far ahead that he could not hear the other competitors calling him back. John Wayling seized his opportunity and went from fourth to first to take the bullet.
Race 5 had seen the fleet drop to 7 remaining competitors on the start line and if it hadn't been for Adrian's earlier mistake he would have been in with a chance of winning the weekend. As it was John Wayling went on to take his 4th bullet of the day and win the event in convincing style with Adrian Coatsworth second and Matthew House third overall.
With the Alton Water win, that gave John Wayling the Eastern Series title again.
Our thanks go to Matthew House for organising the event and the evenings meal and John Pulfer for organising the Eastern Series, who has now handed the reigns over to the "Yachting Cod" Chris Roberts who will be organising 2017 eastern series.