Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard brokerage
Product Feature
Allen 30mm Back To Back Block - A2038
Allen 30mm Back To Back Block - A2038

Phantom HD Sails/Ceildeh Midlands Traveller Series at Chase Sailing Club

by Mike Webster 17 Oct 2022 17:11 BST 9 October 2022

The penultimate event of the Phantom 'HD Sails/Ceildeh' Midlands Traveller Series was help at Chase Sailing Club. With the forecast predicting high winds and gusts of 30 knts, the windguru fraternity were clearly not tempted, a lower than average series turnout with only five home and five visiting boats.

The day turned out to be less extreme, however the south westerly direction created very gusty and shifty conditions for all.

The Race Officer, ex Phantom sailor Alex Walton set short lines and weaving courses around the lake for the three race event.

Race 1

The sailors got off to a clean start as the gusts pounded the boats up the first beat. Mike Webster - Northampton SC rounded first closely followed by new boy to the Phantom class Adam Froggatt - Chase SC and Duncan Adams - Attenborough SC. The fleet zigzagged down the lake with the front three boats pushing each other into a growing lead. Adam pressing downwind squeezed past to take pole position at the leeward mark with Mike having to complete penalty turns for a 'minor' altercation also letting Duncan through. The beats proved tricky with seemingly no pattern to the extreme shifts and gusts with the left, right and centre all having gains and losses. After several laps the finish at the end of the run saw Adam holding onto first place with Mike pulling back to second and Duncan claiming third.

Race 2

The port biased starting line close to the shore made for some interesting boat handling manoeuvers to line up for the perfect start. The fleet got away cleanly battling again the gusts and shifts. Mike leading at the windward mark by 30m only to be told of rounding it the wrong way ! Adam capitalizing and reaching off across the top leg followed by Josh Hyland - Chase SC, Jim Hopton - Shustoke SC and Rob Cook - Northampton SC. Further confusion reigned as the leaders rounded the bottom mark incorrectly forcing Mike, Adam and Josh to retired before the finish after realizing their indiscretions allowing Duncan to take the race win, followed closely by Jim and Rob. The brain freeze effecting some of the leading contenders set up for a nail biting last race.

Race 3

With the wind and gusts strengthening some of the fleet remained ashore. Rob reveling in the tricky conditions happy with his choice of his flat sail leading at the first mark stretching out a small gap from Adam and Josh. The longest race of the day providing some breathtaking reaches and challenging upwind legs. With Rob clear ahead the shorten course was sounded on the final run to the leeward mark, but with one final twist he slowed in a lull allowing Adam and Josh to scream down on one of the days extreme gusts. The finish line had all three boats spread bow to bow but Rob held on by his finger nails with Adam and Josh claiming second and third in a photo finish.

Congratulation to Adam for winning in his first month of Phantom sailing fresh out of his Solo, clearly enjoying the exhilarating ride in his new boat. Definitely one to be watch in future events.

Thanks to Chase Sailing Club for providing an interesting day's racing in difficult conditions providing a friendly welcome to the visitors.

Thanks also to HD Sails and Ceildeh carbon spars for their sponsorship of the event as part of the 2023 Midlands series.

The class is looking forward to the final event and prize-giving which will be held at Burton Sailing Club on the 23rd October.

Related Articles

Phantom Eastern Series at Great Yarmouth
Class dominates at annual Gorleston Beach Regatta Gorleston Sailing Club hosted its annual Beach Regatta over the weekend of June 28th and 29th, welcoming a mix of visiting classes including the Phantom fleet, several Vareos, and a variety of club boats. Posted today at 1:27 pm
Phantoms at Hollingworth Lake
Third event in the Northern Series sailed alongside the Solos Three visitors joined two boats from the home club for the Northern Series Phantom Open at Hollingworth Lake SC on Sunday 6th July. This was the third event in the Northern Series and was once again shared with the Solos for their Northern Championship. Posted on 8 Jul
Great Yarmouth & Gorleston Beach Regatta
A good test for competitors over a range of sailing conditions This year's GYGSC Beach Regatta was held over the weekend of the 28th and 29th June. It was a weekend of contrasting weather, very warm and windy on Saturday, cooler and a calmer on Sunday (but still warm). Posted on 2 Jul
Rudyard Lake Phantom Open
Some competitors opt for gardening over gusts Rudyard Lake Sailing Club once again played host to a joint Phantom and ILCA open meeting on the 28th of June. Five Phantoms returned, buoyed by fond memories of last year's long beats and endless reaches. Posted on 30 Jun
Phantoms at Queen Mary
11 Phantoms walk into a reservoir... Eleven bold (some say foolish) Phantoms descended upon QMSC, riding in on a fresh breeze — though some were fresher than others, thanks to last week's unfortunate wildlife encounter. But I digress. Posted on 19 Jun
P&B Phantom Inland Championships at Burton
Including training on Friday offering some really solid tips Burton Sailing Club was our host for this year's P&B sponsored Phantom Inland Championships, including training on Friday offering some really solid tips for those keen to be at the front, with Titch, Rob and Rich sharing their trade secrets. Posted on 13 Jun
Coppet Week Regatta 2025 at Saundersfoot
Disrupted by strong winds after the amazing spring weather After one of the longest stretches of Spring sunshine in West Wales for a long time the opening Sunday of Saundersfoot Sailing Club's Coppet Week Regatta saw a noticeable change in the weather. Posted on 13 Jun
Phantom South East series at Frensham
Starting with a welcome bacon roll breakfast and a sunny open-air briefing The 2025 South East series kicked off at Frensham Pond with conditions a complete contrast to last year's icy F5 blasting. It was a relaxed start to the day to allow club racing to clear the water. Posted on 22 May
Big Phantom event at Burton coming up
P&B Inlands, GJW Direct Super Series and Midland area travellers Burton Sailing Club have the honour of hosting a Phantom trio special at the beginning of June. The P&B Phantom Inland Championships, GJW Direct Super Series and Midland area traveller series all in one. Posted on 18 May
Creeksea Phantom Open
Eastern Series event at Riva del Crouch Competitive racing, champagne conditions and a super social at the Riva del Crouch: the 2025 Creeksea Phantom Open. Posted on 16 May