Pinnell & Bax Phantom Nationals 2025 at Hooe Point Sailing Club - Runners & Riders

by Mark Spruce 10 Sep 16:44 BST 19-21 September 2025

It's been a difficult year for this itinerant, sailing turf accountant, particularly after the injunction banning me from Cheltenham and all other race courses in the South West following the unfortunate incident in the champagne bar with the European minor Royal Princess, her pet chihuahua and the bicycle but I digress, that's another story entirely!

I'm pleased to say, the injunction has finally expired and I am now allowed within 30 miles of Newton Abbot race course which means Plymouth is now permissible. This is particularly important as my office (the back bar of the Muzzle & Leash Pub next to the Adult Shop over the road from Walthamstow Dogs) has been bulldozed and is being redeveloped into posh flats for members of the cabinet office, so I've had to relocate to our office in Plymouth. I've rented a table in the snug at the Drunken Sailor Pub (yes, you couldn't make it up!?) in Union Street - one of the more affluent areas of the city. It suits my purposes completely and I feel right at home. Only problem is - I can't get Babycham for the Missus (it's all cider down here) and they've replaced my favourite single malt for Pussers Rum but I'm sure I'll survive.

Back to the question in hand - who's my money on for this year's Phantom National at Hooe Point SC in the wonderful, ancient Naval and fishing Port of Plymouth?

So far, we have a tremendous entry of 60 boats and I'm sure we will gain a few more before the first race starts. These numbers are bucking the trend for 2025 National Championships turnouts and shows what a competitive class the Phantom is. There's still time to get your entry in!

I sent my bookie's runner, Mike B out to do some research and here's some interesting facts from a bookmaker's perspective:- We have 2 returning National Champions (since 2015) - Harry Bridden, a previous 3 times winner and Will Gulliver, who's won it once before.

Last year's winner Jamie Morgan and second placed Ben Dancer are not yet entered and it will be a shame not to race them but it opens the doors for new Champion.

We have 10 of the previous Nationals Top 10 finishers since 2015:

Harry Bridden, Nick Orman, John Wayling, Will Gulliver, Mike Webster, Rob Cook, Simon Hawkes, Jon Rickard, Adam Froggatt and Sam Coxon.

And to show how loyal our class are, there are 11 returning entrants from the list of top 20 attendees since 2015 (number of Nationals attended):

John Wayling (9), Harry Bridden (8), Jim Hopton (8) Nick Orman (8), Phil Longley (8), Chris Shelton (7), Dave Patrick (7), Jimmy Sandison (6), Mike Webbster (6), Nick Favell (6) and Richard Cumberbatch (6).

That's impressive lads!

So, who am I putting my own money and encouraging you to place bets with me on this year?

My Top Ten (with some caveats!)

1. Returning multiple champion Harry Bridden. A previous 3-time winner, his height and massive thighs will give him huge power, particularly if we go outside the breakwater onto an open sea course. He may struggle off wind in the medium, shifty stuff inside the Sound but I believe he put in an impressive inland Nationals performance this year? Definitely worth a bet to win.

2. Outside chance for the top spot on the podium - Will Gulliver. Personally, I have never met the man but my snout tells me he's returned with some speed and has not lost his Phantom sparkle? Does a lot of inland stuff so could be the alternate winner if it gets light and shifty inside the Sound. A good choice for a bet to win and also an each-way bet for top 3.

3. Nick Orman. Its time for my friend to climb on the Top step this year and I think this could be his year. He's maturing into a complete, Championship sailor and his speed is equal to anyone in the fleet and better than everyone downwind. He just has to make sure he doesn't spill takeaway on his expensive designer outfits, scratch his Porsche and not throw his toys out of the pram if he has a bad race! He must complete the whole series. Top tip, don't listen to Hawkesy - he's more slippery than a British politician! He's definitely worth a bet to win but cover your backsides with an each-way bet for the top 3.

4. Rob Cook. Our Class Chair or, as I prefer, Commodore! 3rd last year and the "Nearly man" in previous Nationals. Always up there in the top 4, this could be his year. A new job and American Corporate MRGA attitude (Make Rob Great Again) he should be relaxed and rejuvenated. He's selling MRGA caps to fund his sail development program - see him in the dinghy park!. He has completed in the last 3 Final Flings here so knows the race course well, has great all-round speed & tactics and will definitely make the top 5. Could win it if everything goes his way next wek.

5. Sam Coxon. 5th last year, he's gone away, studied the boat and got even fitter! His grey boat was fast in the breeze at Lee on Solent this year. If we sail outside the breakwater in wind and swell I have him finishing higher up / 5th or 6th if we sail in the Sound.

6. Mark Addsion. The quiet man from Upper Thames SC, he slid into 4th last year at Sunderland. His best results came on the light to medium second day so I have him one place higher if we sail everything inside pushing Sam Coxon down to 4th. Every Nationals I have ever been to everywhere has always been "It's (the wind) not normally like this here" so Mark is my Joker for a podium place.

7. Mike Webster. What is there to say about Phantom Leg-End, Silver Fox Silver Surfer Mike W? The smiling assassin is returning after a year out. He's been putting the hard-yards in at Castle Cove and handed my arse to me on a plate at Portland and Lee on Solent this season. Deceptively fast downwind and always up there at the first mark, he will definitely make top ten and definitely win the Old Guys trophy!

8. John Titch Wayling. Normally just in or just outside the Top Ten, I have him doing well this year. Now retired, he's put a lot of time in on the water including big fleet stuff with the Flying 15s.Always good, solid speed, he needs to knock in some good starts and he'll be there.

9. Ben Hawkes and Simon Hawkes. Well, what can I say or am allowed to say about the Taunton Two? The Master and the Apprentice. The problem is, I'm not sure which is which? The K1 King was dethroned by his Apprentice last week at WPNSA - long live the King!

Will history repeat itself at these Nationals? My spies tell me Simon is feeling the pressure and moving all the fast kit off Ben's boat now but I think it may take more than that to keep another up-and-coming youngster outside the top ten. If it's light and shifty I have Ben finishing in the Top 5 - if its windy inside the Top 10. As for the Old Man, if his back holds out (I know, that old excuse again) he's a wiley old b%**£r and is always up there, street fighting. Another maritime assassin from the Webster stable - don't look back - he'll be on your shoulder, smiling waiting for the kill!

As always, its not all about the top 10. There are number of sailors who are very capable of making the top of the fleet and are waiting to pounce if any of the Stars above falter.

In no particular order:

Local boy, Jon Rickard. New boat and a well sorted rig, Jon is particularly fast in breeze. He's won races at Nationals so is comfortable in the lead. If it's windy, I have him inside the top ten. His powerful frame limits him in the lighter stuff but he's getting better. I hope being the Nationals Event Director does not impact his own sailing performance, so go easy on him off the water guys.

Alex Spurgeon from Lee on Solent & Seafarers SC. A big man making an older (#1256) boat and an S3 with a new Morgan Sail work. He's stolen everything Sprucey knows - he's starting better and faster, in a breeze. He has 3 vulnerabilities - ffffing slow on a port tack reach, poor aero package from his Victorian mutton chops and he's hoping the Plymouth foxes don't steal his sailing gear! (ed. I'm already feeding the local foxes in the dingy park!).

Richard Nurse. Newly married, he's relaxed and confident from winning Burnham Week for the third time in a row and wrapping up the Eastern Region Traveller's series. He's found some impressive upwind height and pace to compliment his legendary speed downwind. If he starts well, he's another that should be in the top 10 and if it's a lighter week he could make the top 5. No pressure then!

I haven't mentioned Adam Froggatt. Another fast, inland sailor, particularly in the light. Intensively competitive he, he starts well, can sniff a shift out and has good boat handling. He needs to leave the toys in the pram at home and put in a complete series. Totally capable of making the top ten if he sails clean, top 5 if its light & shifty and finishes all the races - top 15 otherwise.

Richard Cumberbatch and Jim Hopton. These tall, slim Gentlemen of the fleet are solid performers with good speed - Rich C in the breeze and Jim H when its lighter. On their day, they are right up there and if they put in a good series, they should make the top 15 but are quite capable of a top ten finish. They should back themselves with a bet on themselves an incentive?

Local boy Alex Carr is getting faster, knows the water well and on his day could make the top 15. A crisis of confidence early season saw him trying other classes but he's seen the erorr of his ways and, like a black sheep, returned to the family. Just needs to get off the line in the front rank.

As always, I'm accepting bets with favourable odds particularly for bigger stakes in bitcoin with discounts for class association members - join the association with Andy Smith and then visit my secure (honest!) website and I'll look after your investment and make sure that it's put to good use.

Any enquiries: spruceysaysspend@fleecethemandscarperturfaccountants.bank.nigeria

As always, pleas support our event and class sponsors and use their services: HD Sails, Ovington Boats, Allspars, Allen, GOAT Marine, Vicky's Embroidery, Liftech Solutions.