Phantom Open at Blithfield Sailing Club
by John Reay 9 Jul 2014 08:06 BST
6 July 2014
Phantoms at Blithfield © Don Stokes
There were 12 Phantoms who competed for the Blithfield Phantom Open on Sunday 6th July.
The weather was warm and the wind strength was 12-15 knots for the start of the first race. Luckily the wind was from a northerly direction which made for the best beats. The Phantoms were given their own start and were first on the grid, followed 2 minutes later by the Solutions, then finally by club racers. There were fewer club racers than normal with most of the Merlins at Salcombe. The OD decided to use a Black Flag for each fleet to prevent any log jam problems.
Race 1
The lead alternated between E Thomas and R Simms until the last lap when E Thomas prevailed. A Downie came from a mid fleet position in the first lap to gain second place, with R Simms third. A Bownes was a close fourth.
Race 2
The OD set a course with two beats feeling the wind was likely to ease. The opposite happened with dark clouds bringing stronger winds halfway through the race. This time A Downie set the pace until the last lap when E Thomas powered through for his second win. A Downie was second, R Simms third and A Bownes fourth.
Race 3
The course for the last race was set to make it less strenuous for the competitors. E Thomas completed his hat-trick of wins leading almost from start to finish. A Bownes held on to second, M Harris came third followed by M Nield fourth.
Prizes were presented to the overall first three places by the Blithfield Commodore, Chris Guy.
Overall Results:
1st, 1342, Ed Thomas, Tb4E.com
2nd, 1339, Andy Downie, Blithfield SC
3rd, 1170, Andy Bownes, Bartley Green SC
4th, 1390, Richard Sims, Carsington SC
5th, 1175, Matt Harris, Southport YC
6th, 1309, Matt Neild, Royal Windermere YC
7th, 1111, Ollie Shaw, Leigh and Lowton SC
8th, 1161, Ian Smith, Otley SC
9th, 1341, Ron Goss, Burwain SC
10th, 1154, Dave Kelsall, Leigh and Lowton SC
11th, 1136, Doug Rankin, Blithfield SC
12th, 1249, Alan Tolley, Blithfield SC
OD: Alan Skit
AOD: John Reay
SO: Jim Watterson
ASO: Andy Watterson
Photos: Don Stokes
Catering: Barbara Gibbons, Diane Watson and others