Burton Sailing Club Phantom Open and Midlands Series Overall

Burton Phantom Open © Malcolm Burton

Burton Phantom Open © Malcolm Burton

The final event of the HD Sails/Ceildeh Phantom Midlands Traveller Series took place at Burton Sailing Club on the 23rd October.

The autumn storms had been rolling in over the week leading up to the event with the prospects of more over the weekend. That didn't deter the 16 Phantoms made up of 7 visitors and a great turnout of 9 home boats and would have been even higher if 5 other regular racers had been able make the event, but half term put paid to that.

As with most inland venues the water levels were down leading to gusty conditions, but the RO set some short lines and weaving courses providing extremely close racing in all four races.

Race 1
Mike Webster - Northampton SC leading the fleet round the course from the first mark being pushed all the way by Carl Gibbon - Burton SC with some close covering needed for most of the race, however Adam Froggatt - Chase SC pulled through the fleet and with a leg to go took the lead and line honors, with Mike and Carl finishing very close behind.

Race 2
A different battle at the front of the fleet between Carl and Rich Nurse - Northampton SC, Sam Hirst - Burton SC and Josh Hyland - Chase SC. The short legs rewarded good boat handling and looking outside the boat for the big gusts across the lake. Carl managing to hold off Rich with Sam finishing ahead of Josh. A hearty lunch was had by all with the sailors being met by a ray of sunshine after a morning of rain.

Race 3
A true start line made it competitive at the off with Adam leading at the first mark followed by Stuart Turnbill - Burton SC and Mike. As the race progressed Adam and Stuart pulling out an unassailable gap with Adam finishing a leg ahead of Stuart and Carl managing to take 3rd place ahead of Mike.

Race 4
The final windward/leeward race made it all to play for with five possible helms able to take home the chocolates. Rich, Sam and Mike leading at the windward mark stretching out down the run with Carl and Adam back in 5th and 6th. As the race continued it was cat and mouse between the three leaders with changing places up wind and downwind. On the final run Sam leading went right, Rich took the middle and Mike aimed left. By a whisker left paid allowing Mike to take the line a boat length ahead of Rich and Sam putting in another top three finish. Adam and Carl having their own battle with Adam claiming a crucial and event winning 4th place.

Burton Phantom Open - photo © Malcolm Burton

With only 3 points separating the top four positions demonstrating how close the days racing had been. Congratulations to Adam on winning the event and an impressive second open in a row, clearly getting used to his new Phantom and one to watch next season!

Overall Results:

HD Sails/Ceildeh Phantom Midlands Series Overall

After the final event at Burton SC the closely contested 2022 Midlands Series was concluded with a total of 50 helms taking part, from a range of 21 different clubs. The series this year has been a great success but always looking for more local Midland club sailors top take part. It’s a great way to meet fellow ‘Phantomers’ from outside your own club and learn and develop your skills from experience but friendly sailors.

The series had a mix of regular racers, guest appearances for other classes, new faces in the fleet and the challenge of Inland Championships included in this years mix. With 7 events making up the programme and the generous two event discard the overall results were as follows:

Congratulations to Rob Cook – Northampton Sailing Club on winning the series doubling up with his overall win of the South West Series too !!

A huge thank you to Taxi @ HD Sails and Ceildeh Carbon Spars for again kindly sponsoring the series and for providing the much sought after tee shirt prizes. With plans already being put in place for next years series , soon to be published the class can look forward to more great sailing across the Midlands in 2023.

Midlands Series Overall Results: