Phantom National Championship at Highcliffe Sailing Club - Day 2

The race team did a great job getting four races in on Saturday and thankfully the wind and sea state were reduced making it a pleasant day out. It was sufficiently sprightly for a few upturned hulls but nothing like the day before.

The fleet were keen and impatient causing a black flack after general recalls in most races. Notably in race four this caused the loss of three boats one being Harry Briddon who until today had been outperforming Andy Couch.

Andy Couch found the groove after a bit of a lay off and banged in four bullets today with increasing margins as he found his feet back in the boat.

Harry's sad departure in race four let Will Gulliver sneak in to third overall even though he had to right his boat after a downwind windward capsize.

Simon Mussell is hoping to get the three races in tomorrow if the wind plays ball which will give Harry the last gasp chance to tame Andy Couch who appears to have his teeth gritted to the task of winning if today's gurning was anything to go by.

Phantom Nationals at Highcliffe day 2 - photo © Sarah Desjonqueres

The fleet generally had a jolly good days yachting with many smiles banter and pleasant verbal abuse being shared, all in the best possible taste.

There were a couple of breakages sadly which has put and end to some peoples championship, which is more due to the testing conditions rather than lack of preparation. Even spare masts were found for the sad instances where they suffered damage sufficient to render them unserviceable.

Paul Walker also had to jump in twice today to help right 2 more Phantoms for exhausted sailors!! Crazy or macho? Who knows...?

Whilst locked in a small office and refused beer until the report is done the rest of the fleet are getting well on their way to sharing beer with ibuprofen and sharing old war stories of the day. Notable efforts of outstanding achievement were Hawkes in the pleasantly fast 'Bruce' port tacking the fleet by some considerable distance in race 2 to the cheers and general rude encouragement of the fleet he was crossing.

Phantom Nationals at Highcliffe day 2 - photo © Sarah Desjonqueres

Will Gulliver as mentioned previously doing the most slowly sustained windward roll in to the drink with so little splash he could have scored maximum points from a high diving board and Steve Popple after a superb beat rounding the windward mark in the top 3 letting his main sheet go and gradually disappearing under water with barely a bubble surfacing as he dissapeared.

Many at the end of the AGM which is currently taking place will be woken gently from their slumber and helped up and escorted safely to a bar stool.

No Phantom sailors were harmed or upset in the making of a fantastic championship so far.

Quote of the day: "1st to 11th on the run. Will Gulliver alias 'Nico" goes Jacques Cousteau!

Results after Day 2: