Suntouched Southern Phantom Open at Frensham Pond Sailing Club

And so onto the third event of the Suntouched Sailboats Southern Series with the annual visit to Frensham Pond Sailing Club in lovely SW Surrey. Despite the poor forecast of a total drifter, the 5 visitors and 4 home boats were blessed with a cracking day of sunshine and F1-F3 winds. The weather provided some challenging sailing with conditions ranging from the occasional flat out planning reach to the occasional doldrums and plenty of shifts in between. The 9 boat fleet proved very even and competitive with virtually everyone having their moments of glory... and frustration!

The race officer set some challenging courses all around the pond and using virtually every buoy. He got in 4 races even with a timing error resulting in a general recall in the third race... At least it proved how competitive the starts were with everyone clearly over when the gun went off 7 seconds late!

Race 1 started off with Last years Open meeting winner Mike Tustin in 'Mr. Tickle' leading the fleet but being pushed all the way by local Frensham sailor Nick Royse and followed up in Third by Olly Hopkins.

Race 2 after much place changing saw Mike Tustin near the back of the fleet and Nick Royse out on his own in Front. Mike managed to fight his way back up to third with Nick the clear winner and Olly second.

After a break for Lunch and after the general recall caused by the timing mistake, Race 3 started in a bit more breeze and saw hard hiking at least for the first few beats. Normal service was resumed and after much place changing it settled down to Mike in first place and Nick snapping at his heels to the finish. Local boy Bob Larder showed his improving form to secure third place.

And so on to race 4... The meeting would prove a back to back win for Mike Tustin unless Nick Royse could secure another win. Nick tried his very hardest, but was to be denied by local boy Bob Larder doing a horizon job on the rest of the depleting fleet, to take a clear win. All of the squabbling behind resulting in a second place for Olly and a third to the ever improving Paul Birkbeck who had travelled all the way from Exmoor with his flashy new steed.

So the overall win for the second year went to Mike Tustin despite his early shower and heading home to get on with some painting. Second went to local boy Nick Royse and 3rd to Olly Hopkins.

Oustanding acrobatics of the day went to Rich Cumberbatch who achieved a dry capsize by falling into windward, diving over the top and recovering the boat by doing a handstand on the centreboard!

Many thanks to all the visitors for making the effort to travel and hope to see you all during the further events of the Southern circuit.

Overall Results: