Phantom Double Delight lined up for the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show 2025

Phantoms at Chase © CSC

The Phantom Class Association is delighted to be attending the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show in a few days time. This year on Stand 59 we are proudly displaying a double delight, two Phantoms to feast your eyes on!

• A brand new Ovington build with a complete Allen Brothers fit-out with all the bells and whistles. Jon Rickard's boat, supporting a P&B sail, has yet to be christened on the water but has been painstakingly prepared over the winter ready for the 2025 season.
• Alan Husk has kindly loaned his beautiful concours d'elegance classic boat for the show, supporting a HD sail. It's a wonderful example of a John Claridge 'woodie' which has been lovingly restored and cared for and is still sailed regularly at his club and on the open circuit.

The class is proud of it's heritage celebrating the 50th Anniversary in 2021. We still have an active fleet of classic boats along side our growing new built boats and to recognize this and to help encourage greater participation from our older end of the fleet a special section is dedicated to the classic boats on the Phantom website: www.phantomclass.org.uk/woodies

Over the two days of the show the stand will be staffed by the enthusiastic Class Association committee, all keen to introduce you to the Phantom or if you have already seen the light, it's your chance to meet them and chat through what's going on in the class this year. A couple of special Q&A sessions will also be scheduled (times displayed on the stand) one with the Association Chairman - Rob Cook talking about the plans for the class in 2025 and beyond along the benefits of becoming a member of the Class Association. Also Tom Lonsdale - Sail Loft Manager at P& B will talking through sail design concepts, new products and sail trim/settings in another Q&A session.

Following-on from the re-branding of the Phantom Class and the updated website in 2024 'Phantom Sailing', we are taking the opportunity to launch the new branded Phantom Sailing Merchandise which will be displayed on the stand.

The new kit will be available for purchase via the Phantom Class website immediately after the Dinghy Show at www.phantomclass.org.uk

More information on the new range together with instructions on how to order etc. will be posted on the Phantom Class Facebook page in dues course, so look out for the notifications, as they are sure to sell like hot cakes.

The class is also excited to be launching three of the major events in the 2025 racing calendar at the show.

1. The GOAT Marine Phantom National Championships

The premier event of the year, the three day event - 19th-21st September is being hosted by Hooe Point Sailing club based at the Mount Batten Centre in Plymouth.

Entries will be officially opened over the weekend with full details available in the published NOR on the Phantom Class Association website at www.phantomclass.org.uk It's your opportunity to get your entries in early !

2. The P&B Inland Championships

Always a great event centrally located to allow easy access for competitors, attracting sailors from around the countries five Phantom regions. This year Burton Sailing Club have the privilege of hosting the event on the 6th /7th June.

This will be proceeded on the Friday by a training day, part of the classes commitment to provide popular training sessions to all standard of Phantom sailors. Your chance to get expert advice from some of the 'hotshots' in the class, with boat set up and on the water boat speed and technique training.

Entries will be officially opened over the weekend on the Burton Sailing Club website with full details available on the published NOR. Get your entries in and book a slot on the limited training day places (free to Class Association members!).

3. The GJW Direct Super Series

The nationwide Super Series will be delivered around the country with two day events in each region together with the two championships. Making up a seven event programme running from April through till October.

• 5th /6th April - Stone SC
• 26th/27th April - Northampton SC
• 6th/7th June - Burton SC (Inland Championships)
• 19th/20th July - Lee on Solent SC
• 9th/10th August - Bassenthwaite SC
• 19th/20th/21st September - Hooe Point SC (National Championships)
• 11th/12th October - Royal Western YC

At the show Jez Entwistle from GJW Direct will be on the Phantom stand. An ex Phantom himself, he is very familiar with class and personally deals with boat claims. He will be available to talk to about insurance advice.

We look forward to welcoming you to Stand 59 and if you are thinking of a new challenge in a lightweight, exhilarating and easy to handle high performance single hander, it's a great opportunity to chat with seasoned Phantom sailors. With five regions around the country, Phantom fleet racing is accessible to all.

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