Phantom South Western Series supported by CoastWaterSports at Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club

Phantom Open Meeting at Lee-on-the-Solent SC on 12th & 13th August 2023 sponsored by Rooster Sailing. The event was combined with Contenders, Blaze and the Solution Nationals.

Saturday was aiming for a 1pm Start but with the wind blowing F6 and later F7 gusts, the start was delayed allowing for launching in difficult waves.

Race 1 - On the first beat Ian Stone (1280) powered over most of the fleet and took a shift to the right. Coming in from the left at the windward mark Martin Watts (1499) was just behind Ian, with Gordon (1465 & Author) 3rd, Chris Shelton (1491) 4th and Jeremy Deacon (1423) 5th.

We were sailing a Triangle-Sausage course and the first reach was frankly a case of avoiding ploughing the bow into the large very short waves, Kevin Clarke of the Solution fleet has a video showing how not to do it!

I had said I wasn't going to gybe but hadn't reckoned on being near the front, stupid boy. After several eskimo roles I had to be helped by the safety team and headed home. On the next beat Ian and Martin stayed close but part way down the run Ian stuck the bow into a wave and ended his race and weekend with boat damage and mast down. Martin took the win; Jeremy had been closing on Chris only to swim at the leeward buoy.

Phantom South Western Series at Lee-on-the-Solent - photo © Jamie Robinson

Evening drinks and food at the club and watching England play Wales.

Sunday dawned with South Westerly 4 gusting 5 which built during the day.

Four races had been scheduled with the start time bought forward to 10am.

Phantom South Western Series at Lee-on-the-Solent - photo © Jamie Robinson

Race 2 - First at the windward mark showing once again his blistering pace was Martin, followed by Gordon, Bill Taylor (1273) Chris, Jeremy and only able to sail Sunday, Adam Byford (1486). On the reaches I managed to close on Martin and Bill closed in on me.

Second beat Martin pulled away again and Bill crossed me, then before the windward mark I managed to pass Bill and tacked tight on the starboard lay line allowing for tide. Positions stayed like that until the finish.

Phantom South Western Series at Lee-on-the-Solent - photo © Jamie Robinson

Race 3 - Again Martin was leading at the windward mark followed by Gordon and Bill. Chris and Jeremy were close, and I didn't see which of the two finished 4th.

Martin had held his distance on the chasing pack by the leeward mark and pulled away again up the beat. Bill and Gordon stayed close with Gordon just holding on at the windward mark only to relax for a minute and not watch Bill who gybed away and passed down the run never to be caught again despite my best efforts. Chris again 4th, Jeremy 5th, Adam 6th and joining us Dave Patrick (1303) 7th. Note two other LOSSC members had entered but thought better of it and helped as part of the beach team.

Phantom South Western Series at Lee-on-the-Solent - photo © Jamie Robinson

Race 4 - First beat Martin followed by Bill, Gordon, Chris, Jeremy, and Adam.

Wind now had picked up a notch. Positions stayed the same only until Bill after 2 laps decided to head in. I thought the race had ended pulled the rig back up eased kicker and slumped only to look upwind to see the Contenders on the top reach, this had allowed Chris, Jeremy and Adam to close. Luckly, I eased away up the beat and onto the reach which had got broader and was now a tricky angle to set yourself in the boat. Just before the gybe mark I buried the nose in a wave and capsized to windward. For me a quick roll and then righting and beached whale impression back into the boat. I carried on and chicken gybed and was bearing away just as Chris got to the mark. Had he gybed he would have got in front but no, sensible guy that he is, he followed my fine example of seamanship allowing me to hang on for second.

The race team who had done an excellent job in difficult conditions decided that both we and them had had enough and sent us all ashore.

Phantom South Western Series at Lee-on-the-Solent - photo © Jamie Robinson

At the shore on both days the competitors from all fleets worked with the beach team to ensure all boats and safety boats were recovered safely.

Thanks must go to Peter Weeks, Commodore Race Officer, and the large band of volunteers that it takes to run open meetings.

Prize giving in our Phantastic club house hosted by Kathryn Clarke of the Solution fleet.

Overall Results: