Phantom National Championship at South Shields Sailing Club

Phantom Nationals at South Shields © SSSC

South Shields Sailing Club Clock Phantom © SSSC

This year's Nationals were hosted by South Shields Sailing Club and saw a respectable turn out. There were entries from as far as Shoreham, Weymouth and Milford Haven.

On the morning before the first race, as well as sail measurements a few boats were picked at random for weighing (some more random than others!). The boats picked were brand new this year indicating a continuingly growing class. All boats measured were in limits and legal.

During registration the competitors received their embroidered fleece and the first of the bacon rolls, all included within the entry fee.

Races were held outside the breakwaters just to the south. Day 1 saw a fairly stable breeze coming off the land with big shifts and prolonged gusts from 12 – 20 knots.

Race 1 – Boats got away cleanly under the new U flag start (like a black flag but if there is a GR you are allowed back in the fleet). A sausage triangle course remained for the weekend and was well set. Harry Briddon, Will Gulliver, Chris Turner, Jon Nuttall and Norman Byrd were all in the mix but Harry came out on top which was pretty much the form for the rest of the weekend.

Race 2 – Again boats were away and again Harry was off like a rocket. Peter Shuttleworth smashed the first beat to be first at the top mark, not that he mentioned that at all during the rest of the weekend! This time Will was hot on his tail closely followed by John Wayling who showed his usual upwing pace to beat Jon Nuttall who nearly managed to stack it on the short reach to the finish just in front of Nick Orman.

On return to shore the cook it yourself BBQ was up and running and the bar was making a healthy turnover until the early hours!

Phantom Nationals at South Shields - photo © SSSC

Day 2 started with a very light breeze still off the land and another bacon roll. As the fleet made it to the race area the breeze picked up nicely to give another 12 – 18 knot day but this time accompanied by drizzle and rain. The courses were sausage triangle and set promptly and true as before.

Race 3 – Will found himself lined up for the wrong start line at the one minute gun so encouraged the rest of the fleet to have a jump start which caused a GR which under flag U meant he was back in the game for the restart.

We got away cleanly the second time and it was the first bullet for Will. Harry followed him home and a superb sail by Nick Orman saw him third followed by James Dawson in fourth.

Race 4 – Harry, Will, Chris, Nick and Norman got away in clean air and couldn't be touched on race 4, they stayed clear of the fleet all race and stayed out of trouble. The fleet were grateful for a rapid turn around between races at this stage as the rain set in and everyone was feeling the cold.

Race 5 – Chris Turner again challenged Harry for the bullet but Harry held on to confirm the Championship. Will came in third followed by Oliver Davenport who had been getting increasingly better results through the weekend, one to watch for the future! Neil Fulcher had a cracking final down wind leg rolling two boats to cross the line 6th.

With an award winning fish and chip supper and plenty of drinks to celebrate with the new National Champion, some decided to brave South Shields on a Saturday night. The less said about that the better!

Day 3 dawned with another bacon roll and the fleet looking forward to blowing away the cobwebs. The forecast for the Sunday had ranged from 30 to 2 knots over the weekend but in the end it had gone Northerly and was about 15 knots. The combination of the ebb tide and the Northerly breeze had caused a steep short swell at the river mouth and as a result the race officer decided it was too dangerous to race. It was increasing all the time.

At the prizgiving Phantom class association chairman Phil Longley thanked the sponsors – Colonial Capital, The Morton Partnership, Vicky's embroidery services, Ovington Boats and Seabrooke developments – presenting the winners and committee prizes for each race, spot prizes for a few special competitors, as well as brandy glasses and wine for the top ten

It was a fantastic weekend and South Shields made us feel very welcome. The food was excellent as was the beer and company. Massive thanks to the ladies in the galley and the bar staff who made the weekend very special. Thanks also go to the PRO Nigel Denchfieild for getting the course right and turning the racing round in some varying condiditons.

Well done to Harry sealing the deal with 4 firsts and a second, look forward to doing it all again soon!

Individual trophy winners:

• Under 30 – Harry Briddon
• 30-40 Cup – Jon Nuttall
• 2 Score cup – Will Gulliver
• Half Ton cup – John Wayling
• 3 Score – Jimmy Sanderson
• Endeavour Trophy – Stephen Lowe
• 1st Classic – Stephen Lowe