Phantom Eastern Series at Great Yarmouth & Gorleston Sailing Club
by Nick Favell 9 Jul 14:27 BST
28-29 June 2025
Phantom Eastern Series at Great Yarmouth & Gorleston (Beach Regatta) © GYGSC
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. With thirteen Phantoms on the water, they formed the largest fleet of the event and enjoyed a dedicated start.
Saturday saw racing take place in a fresh offshore breeze, Force 3 to 4, with challenging shifts and gusts keeping competitors on their toes.
Making a welcome return to the class after a long absence, Will Gulliver dominated the day with a clean sweep, taking all three race wins. Behind him, a tight battle ensued among Richard Nurse, Bill Taylor, Alan Husk, and Nick Favell, with just a few points separating the next four places by the end of the day.
In true Gorleston fashion, the Phantoms enjoyed the club's full hospitality on Saturday evening, rounding off a fantastic day of competitive sailing.
Sunday brought cooler and lighter conditions with a north-easterly Force 2-3. The racecourse was set well inshore, encouraging tactical sailing close to the beach to escape the tide.
Once again, Will Gulliver proved untouchable, showing his mastery in both light and heavy airs. Though briefly passed by Bill Taylor in one race, Will recovered to take the win - his fifth of the weekend.
With Will heading home after Race 5, having secured the overall victory, the spotlight shifted to the contest for second place. Bill Taylor and Richard Nurse were tied on points going into the final race, setting up a thrilling showdown. Richard held his nerve to take line honours and claim second overall, with Bill finishing a close third.
Next up for the fleet: Royal Harwich on 26/27th July
More photos at www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 1481 | Will Gulliver | Northampton SC | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | (DNC) | 5 |
| 2nd | 1500 | Richard Nurse | Northampton SC | 2 | 3 | ‑5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 11 |
| 3rd | 1420 | Bill Taylor | Creeksea SC | ‑5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
| 4th | 1458 | Alan Husk | Creeksea SC | 3 | 5 | ‑6 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 20 |
| 5th | 1394 | Nick Favell | GYGSC | 4 | ‑6 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 21 |
| 6th | 1267 | Dean Saxton | CSC/MSC | ‑8 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 26 |
| 7th | 1337 | Pete Sarbutt | Creeksea SC | 6 | 4 | (DNC) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
| 8th | 1433 | Warren Martin | Creeksea SC | ‑9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 37 |
| 9th | 1107 | James Nourse | WOBYC | 7 | 9 | DNF | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 51 |
| 10th | 1152 | Phil Harlow | GYGSC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 9 | 9 | DNC | 57 |
| 11th | 1216 | Clive Wells | RBSC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 65 |
| 11th | 1461 | Graham Dale‑Jones | Creeksea SC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 65 |
| 11th | 1214 | Nick Thorp | Ardleigh SC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 65 |