Phantom Open at Royal Harwich Yacht Club

Dave Nicholls wins the Phantom Open at Royal Harwich Yacht Club © Phantom class

As usual the Phantom fleet was made very welcome by the Royal Harwich Yacht Club with most competitors arriving on the Friday afternoon for the traditional walk through the wooded path along the river Orwell to the Butt and Oyster pub at Pinn Mill for a pre-event dinner and beer.

The forecast was for two days of tricky light westerly breeze but as usual the river Orwell had other ideas for us.

There were eight Phantoms competing with six from Creeksea Sailing Club crossing the county line. The sailors at Creeksea know how well run and enjoyable this event can be.

From the home club Nick Thorp and Bob Portway attempted to prevent the visitors from taking any trophies away. Bob had made the journey down from Scotland where he has been spending time on his yacht exploring the crinkly bits on offer in unfamiliar waters.

Saturday started with Gordon the race officer's entertaining briefing. He sets great courses with no two races being the same. For some this was to be their undoing but more on that later.

Race one started in the predicted 8 to 10 knot westerly and very soon it became apparent that the course options and instructions hadn't been particularly well followed by some. Bill Taylor and David Nichols started their weekend long close battles immediately and followed the correct course closely followed by Eric Howe. The rest of the fleet including local legend Bob Portway found themselves seemingly lost and sailed a far greater distance to get back on track. Dave Nichols took the win with Bill Taylor a very close second. Eric Howe kept the hordes at bay and took a well earned third.

As the Phantoms waited for the National 12s, Laser and Wanderer fleets to finish the wind started to increase, settling into a solid 15/18 knots with gusts of 20.

Race Two started with Dave and Bill back at it but now joined by Bob scraping boat on boat with literally nothing in it. The rest of the fleet were having an equally close battle with not much between fourth and eighth.

This time Bill kept the hammer down for the win with Dave in second. Bob was a very close third.

Alan Husk had secured two solid fourth places at this stage and now decided to spring into action in race three along with the rest of the fleet. We had to let Bill and Dave know they weren't having it all their own way.

Alan took the win, with Bob second and Pete Starbutt in third place, whilst Eric secured fourth. Despite rumours of on the water assistance it was clear that the cheers from the paddleboard support craft were simply elation at a partner performing well and resuming his rightful position at the front of the fleet.

This left our two front runners scoring a fifth for Dave and a sixth for Bill. Was this a sign that the pressure was getting to them?

The fleet sailed back to the club having enjoyed some unbelievably close racing literally to the inch and closer. Having adjourned to the restaurant at the neighbouring Woolverston Marina the fleet were delighted to catch up with former class Chairman Ian Miller who was perhaps anticipating a quiet evening at the home marina.

Day Two started with a forecast of a 9 knot North Westerly but this soon became as strong, if not stronger, than Saturday's conditions.

Race four got off with Bill charging off at the front with Bob and Dave battling for second. This time Bob took it with Dave third.

Creeksea members know all too well what Bill likes and the conditions seemed to be perfect for his strong sailing technique. Nick Thorp who had been given some tuning tips on Saturday after having had a very quiet first day launched himself up to fourth and there were incredibly tight battles mid fleet.

Race five was super hard going with the wind getting a bit much for some. Graham who had been in amongst the mid fleet battles now sensibly decided enough was enough and took the early shower and pack away option.

Decisively this time Dave Nichols took the win with Bob taking yet another second leaving Bill Taylor in third. The calls to Bill advising him that he was heading off for the wrong leeward mark when leading clearly hadn't been quite audible to him - although the rest of the fleet contended that they had been loud and clear - and had helpfully incorporated hand signalling.

It was all getting a bit close now...

Just as the last few boats were finishing the wind vanished completely and the fleet was left bobbing around. Despite the best efforts of the Race Officer and his crew, race six was abandoned.

In the final scoring Dave Nichols had beaten club mate Bill Taylor on countback to win the event and his first Phantom Open Meeting.

I know I can speak for the fleet here, this is such a great place to race a Phantom. The river, the club, the staff and the sailors, all make it a must do experience. We had some excellent racing and thoroughly enjoyed it all.

Put it in your diary for next year and you won't be disappointed. In the meantime the next event in the Phantom Eastern Series is Burnham Week which is over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Overall Results: