Vintage 'Woodie' Phantom open meeting at Fishers Green Sailing Club
by Mike Blunt, Simon White & Godfrey Clark 6 May 2025 14:32 BST
3 May 2025
Vintage 'Woodie' Phantom open meeting at Fishers Green © Kevin O'Brien
Fishers Green SC held a Classic Phantom open meeting on 3rd May. The first 'all' classic open for many years. It was great to get the Classic Phantoms out together.
With a mixture of boat builds on show, such as John Claridge and Reg Chapman. Using a mix of carbon and aluminium rigs. Notable mention to Simon in #949 with his original set up Dacron sail and aluminium rig, keeping it real. Well done, Simon.
With weather forecast advised a "predominantly steady northerly breeze veering northeast" during the afternoon but nothing prepared the race officer for the flat calm encountered an hour before the start. A delay allowed the wind to reveal itself, but it came from the west with occasional huge shifts from southwest to northwest. The oscillations caused some start-line chaos as everyone hoped the line would be true to the wind if only during the starting sequence!
Race 1 - got away with a cautious start by the fleet, except Alan Husk (905). In fickle gusts, Alan & Simon White (949) got into some very close racing - but Simon couldn't manage to see any other part of Alan's boat, other than his transom. A close battle for 3rd between Barry (828), Dave (897) & Mike (896). Mike pipped both to the line coming from fifth on the last beat, to take third.
Race 2 - The same pattern continued for race two with Simon and Alan both doing their best to find the better wind. With Alan getting the better of Simon, again.
Mike and Dave continued their battle for third. Top five positions were a repeat of race 1.
Race 3 - For race 3 the wind had gone north/northwest big-time and increased, requiring a total change of course. This time a P-course was possible, giving two planning reaches and a run to the leeward mark. Again, the puffy wind caused some challenges at the line, with Mike being pushed out at the pin.
After a starboard call from Dave on Simon, resulting in Simons first capsize in a Phantom. Simon was playing catch up. Luck was on his side at the third mark, as Dave and Mike rounded the mark the wrong way. Allowing Simon to catch up. On lap 2 Simon passed Alan as he sailed to the wrong mark. His lead was short lived, as Alan was showing some very good down wind speed.
Alan's tactical skills came into play with Simon taking his chances to gybe on port, only to hear 'a bit starboard' coming from Alan followed by 'a little bit more starboard'. Simon had no choice but to let Alan take the lead again with a very close beat to the finish line. Dave kept the pressure on Mike downwind and took third place.
Race 4 - After a very good start Alan and Simon battled it out up the first beat. Alan, feeling sorry for Simon, went for a dip as the boat came over on top of him. Leaving Simon to sail his own race and hold him off to take his first win. Dave retired, much to the relief of Mike who took another third place.
Congratulations to Alan Husk on winning the competition, with his concourse John Claridge built Phantom #905. Note from Simon: "Alan and I had some very good close battles in all the races but the better man came out on top."
The Classic Phantom Fleet look forward to a return to FGSC, next year - and will keep you all informed on any new events in the calendar.
Thanks go to Kevin O'Brien, Godfrey Clark, Paul Bidwell and all at FGSC who made the event a great one.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 905 | Alan Husk | Creeksea | 1 | 1 | 1 | ‑2 | 3 |
| 2nd | 949 | Simon White | Maldon YC | ‑2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 3rd | 896 | Mike Blunt | Notts County | 3 | 3 | ‑4 | 3 | 9 |
| 4th | 897 | Dave Hodges | Fishers Green | 4 | 4 | 3 | (DNF) | 11 |
| 5th | 828 | Barry Lindsley | Fishers Green | 5 | 5 | (DNC) | DNC | 18 |
| 6th | 955 | Mark Harman | Maldon YC | 6 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 22 |
| 7th | 1004 | Pete Hollins | Fishers Green | (DNF | DNC | DNC | DNC | 24 |