Phantom Eastern Series Finale at Waveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club
by Warren Martin 30 Oct 07:31 GMT
25-26 October 2025
The final event of the Phantom Class Association Eastern Series was set for the beautiful Suffolk Broads at the Waveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club (W&OBYC) on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October 2025.
A Blustery Start to the Finale
The end-of-season finale began on Friday evening with a sociable supper at a local curry house. Unfortunately, several would-be competitors, glancing nervously at the forecast in the wake of Storm Benjamin, decided that discretion was the better part of valour and opted to stay home. A pity—they missed a superb weekend of good company, hearty meals, and fantastic sailing.
Despite challenging conditions, the race team delivered a brilliant event: four races on Saturday and two on Sunday, all under fresh and blustery skies.
Saturday dawned to a strong 20-knot plus WSW breeze blowing straight down the Broad. Race Officer Veronica Falat wisely delayed proceedings for an hour to allow the worst to pass—a decision greeted with relief by the fleet. Launching directly into the wind, down a 30m concrete channel is not for the faint-hearted, but the race team's well-organised towing system ensured every Phantom reached the water (and back) unscathed.
Saturday - Four Races of Full-On Phantom Action
Race 1
Bill "the Bus" Taylor nailed the pin end and charged off to leeward at full speed before tacking to clear the fleet. His early lead was short-lived as Rich "Tichard" Nurse found his rhythm in the shifty, gusty post-storm breeze, rounding the windward mark first. Nick Favell moved into second at the leeward mark, and the top three finished in that order. Close racing in the fleet from front to back.
Race 2
Nurse again started strongly, this time at the committee boat end, and worked the shifts perfectly to establish a commanding lead by the first mark. Favell followed in second, while Warren Martin challenged Taylor for third—until a lull at the windward mark saw him slip to fourth. Michelle Collier-Brooks showed improving pace and looked set to threaten the top three before a monster gust caught her out at the windward mark.
Race 3
The breeze eased slightly, but the gusts remained fierce. Nick Thorp won the pin end but fell victim to a cruel shift as the fleet lifted over him. Nurse continued his domination, though Taylor and Favell closed the gap slightly without finding a way past. Another bullet for Nurse.
Race 4
With the wind moderating, the course was tweaked to include an extra mark. Several club boats joined the "6, 3, Go" starting sequence, creating some confusion—only Michelle CB and Taylor spotted the change and hit the line on time, while the rest scrambled to catch up. Nick Thorp, finding himself too far adrift, decided warmth and a pint were the better choice.
Taylor and Collier-Brooks led early on, but Nurse carved through the fleet after a slow start, overtaking Taylor on the second beat to take his fourth win of the day. Taylor finished second, and Collier-Brooks snatched third from Favell on the final downwind leg.
Back ashore, Master of Ceremonies and class legend Ben Falat—clearly regretting selling his own Phantom—served up hot pizza and warm showers to revive the fleet. (Get another Phantom, Ben!)
Sunday - Cold, Windy, and Decisive
Sunday arrived with the same fresh winds but noticeably colder temperatures. A few competitors decided to pack up rather than brave another day in the elements—including overnight second-placed Taylor, who wisely preserved his back so he could drive his big red bus. Stagecoach salutes you, sir!
Sunday's racing also coincided with WOBYC's own End of Season Regatta, meaning the Phantoms shared the water with a variety of other classes, including the majestic Waveney One Designs with their 290 sq. ft. gunter rigs. They are a magnificent sight when five abreast—but not where you want to be to leeward, eh Terry Brooks?
With four straight wins under his belt, Nurse had almost sealed the overall victory, but he wasn't taking anything for granted—especially with Favell improving in every race. The real competition, of course, was for the honour of writing the race report!
Race 5
Perhaps the windiest race of the weekend, Race 5 got away cleanly. A tight beat saw Nurse reach the windward mark just ahead of Favell, Martin, Collier-Brooks, and Brooks, all close behind. Martin's boom brushed the mark, forcing a penalty turn that dropped him to fifth. Despite position changes behind, the race finished Nurse-Favell-Collier-Brooks-Brooks-Martin.
Race 6
The home fleet sensibly retired to the clubhouse to warm up, leaving the Phantoms alone to face the savage gusts. Another clean start saw Nurse and Favell leading, with Collier-Brooks close behind—until a vicious gust capsized her yet again. After multiple righting attempts, she called it a day and was rescued. Martin and Brooks continued their private battle, Martin eventually gaining the upper hand upwind. The race finished in that order.
Final Results & Thanks
Back ashore, the sailors were greeted once again by hot pizza and a warm clubhouse before gathering upstairs for the prize-giving.
With six straight wins, Richard Nurse claimed both the WOBYC Regatta Trophy and the Phantom Eastern Series Title, capping off a dominant season - well done Tichard!
Acknowledgements
Huge thanks to Race Officer Veronica Falat, who made the most of the wind direction with a tactical long beat up the Broad and ensured quick turnarounds between races. She was ably assisted by her granddaughter Rosemary, who did an excellent job with the flags aboard the committee boat.
Thanks also to Ben Falat and the safety boat team for their tireless work keeping everyone safe, to Bob Girling for the fantastic photos, and to W&OBYC for once again hosting the travelling Phantoms for a very memorable end-of-season finale.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Net |
|---|
| 1 | 1500 | Richard Nurse | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 2 | 1394 | Nick Favell | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
| 3 | 1420 | Bill Taylor | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | DNS | DNS | 17 |
| 4 | 1418 | Michelle Collier‑Brooks | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | DNF | 20 |
| 5 | 1233 | Warren Martin | 4 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 21 |
| 6 | 1281 | Terry Brooks | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 26 |
| 7 | 1370 | Nick Thorp | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | DNS | DNS | 35 |
| 8 | 1152 | Phillip Harlow | DNS | DNS | DNS | DNS | DNS | DNS | 40 |