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

Phantom open meeting at Queen Mary Sailing Club

by Alex Spurgeon 19 Jun 08:32 BST 14 June 2025
Mark Addison wins the Phantom open meeting at Queen Mary © Chris Shelton

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. Due to a mix of fate, peer pressure, and poor decision-making, your author once again is behind his keyboard, cackling like a caffeinated hyena.

Launching was, in a word, adventurous. With a steep-sided reservoir and a cheeky little 20+kt crosswind, QMSC volunteers and buddy-upped sailors somehow avoided a £250 cheque from YBF. Mostly.

The starting lineup of 11 Phantoms was made more majestic by the turnout of six boats from Broadwater SC. Some, clearly anticipating a southern hosepipe ban, wasted no time rinsing their masts — right from the start line. Efficiency is everything.

Race 1: The Great Rudder Betrayal

Following the Ospreys and Merlin Rockets (who provided ample opportunity for tactical spectating), Race 1 got under way. Chris Shelton, Alex Spurgeon, and Mark Addison were first to the windward mark, tearing off downwind like they'd been promised pies at the finish.

The gybe mark brought the drama: Mark narrowly avoided a full-body baptism while Alex performed a graceful half-death roll to visually inspect his centreboard for weed. Others, watching the aquatic carnage ahead, wisely tacked away and pretended it was all part of their strategy.

Mark led the charge, and Dave sneakily picked up places on the right-hand side. That is until Dave faceplanted at last and missed the finish mark altogether — a bold tactic that netted him exactly zero rewards. Nick happily took second, with Chris in third.

Meanwhile, Alex — who had apparently rigged his boat via Frank Spencer's YouTube Shorts — battled a rebellious rudder all day, a theme that persisted like a bad animal smell.

Race 2: Chaos at the Pin End

The start featured exciting port bias, drawing everyone to the pin end like seagulls to dropped chips. In a radical move, Jeremy decided to get a better view by standing on his centreboard mid-start. He pulled a sneaky hard-right beat and found himself in the top mix with Mark, Nick and Alex.

Mark soon activated "turbo Phantom mode" and left the fleet behind, brushing off any remaining cobwebs. The fight for second was a rotating door between second and sixth, as positions shuffled like a game of drunken musical chairs. Chris Shelton was consistently doing his thing, quietly plugging away, popping up in good positions like a prairie dog.

In a poetic tribute to Dave's faceplant in Race 1, Alex went full chimp on his tiller, sailing with weather-helm akin to a Thames barge in a gale, and swiftly tanked from second to sixth in the final lap, final leg. Artistic, really.

Race 3: The Phantom Plunge Finale

Mark and Alex shot off after the windward mark, leaving Jeremy to lead the chase. The wind had picked up by now, with tired bodies turning every gust into a personal challenge.

On lap two, an Osprey jealously saw the Phantoms having too much fun and decided to join in with an overly close display of affection mid-beat, and Mark used the distraction to stretch his lead. In an act of team spirit, Jeremy promptly binned it at the leeward mark, kindly allowing others through.

Dave, possibly overheating, took a spontaneous swim during the run. Full body hydration is important.

Mark, the day's forerunner, first crossed the finish and then capsized in solidarity. Alex second, some 100m away, was unimpressed with the timing of Mark's swim but found comfort in his misfortune. Nick rounded out the race with another consistent third finish, looking suspiciously like he had planned it all along.

In closing

QMSC gave us wind, water, sun, choreographed capsizes, and a reminder that sometimes, staying upright and focused is half the battle. Huge thanks to the volunteers, QMSC and the race team.

Congratulations to Mark Addison, who provided a tutorial on Phantom helmsmanship and sailed at times like the wind owed him money.

"See you next one! Towel? Essential. Rudder rigging help from the Vulpine Consultant? That's a trap."

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmClubR1R2R3Pts
1st1489Mark AddisonUpper Thames Sailing Club1113
2nd1386Nick MasonEmsworth Slipper Sailing Club2338
3rd1491Chris SheltonDowns Sailing Club34411
4th1423Jeremy DeaconBroadwater Sailing Club52512
5th1274Alex SpurgeonLee on Solent Sailing Club76215
6th1416Dave PatrickBroadwater Sailing Club45615
7th1406Tim DaviesBroadwater Sailing Club67821
8th1474Andy TavernerBroadwater Sailing Club88723
9th1392Hilgard MullerBroadwater Sailing ClubDNS9930
10th1344Les SmithBroadwater Sailing ClubDNS10DNS34
11th1264Ted CurtisWarsash Sailing ClubRETDNSDNS36

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
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
Vintage Phantom open at Fishers Green
The first 'all' classic open for many years 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. Posted on 6 May