P&B Phantom National Championship 2026 at Tenby Sailing Club - Overall

2026 P&B Phantom Nationals at Tenby Day 4 © Alistair Mackay

Better Late Than Never...

Firstly, an apology.

Following four fantastic days of racing on the Welsh Riviera, I fully intended to get this report written whilst travelling for work. The plan was simple: charge the laptop at Heathrow, write the report and bask in the glow of another brilliant Phantom Nationals.

Unfortunately, after unplugging a computer to steal a charging point, London airspace then descended into complete chaos with widespread disruption. I'm not saying the two events were connected... but...

So, now finally sat at home with a working laptop, here's the story of the final day and a quite superb P&B Phantom National Championship 2026.

Four Days, Four Different Championships

Sunday morning greeted the fleet with yet another sunny sky and another difficult decision. Rash vest? Or rash vest and spray top?

A steady 15-knot southerly breeze and beautiful rolling waves swept across Carmarthen Bay as the fleet enjoyed a brief five-minute sail from Tenby's picturesque harbour to the race area, all perfectly visible to spectators watching from the famous clifftops.

The conditions summed up what had been an exceptional week.

2026 P&B Phantom Nationals at Tenby Day 4 - photo © Alistair Mackay

Big breeze. Small breeze. Waves. Flat water. Tactical racing. Survival racing. Planing reaches. Long beats, we'd had it all and we finished on a cracker.

This was exactly what a National Championship should be, as former National Champion Harry Briddon neatly put it:

"The four-day event has really provided four great days of sailing. The varied conditions have made it a proper championship."

He was absolutely right.

Over ten races there were heavyweight specialists, light-air masters, tactical experts and downwind demons all taking race wins and leading races at various stages. By the end of the week there could be few complaints that the eventual results hadn't thoroughly tested every aspect of Phantom sailing.

Race 9 - The Return of Briddon

Race Officers Nigel Denchfield and Jo Musson elected to return to the popular TRA3 course configuration, featuring two windward-leeward laps followed by a triangle finish.

One start was abandoned with three minutes to go after a wind shift, a decision that proved spot on. After a quick reset, the fleet lined up once more.

And incredibly... They got away first time. No recalls and No black flags!

Nobody was prepared to miss out on what was rapidly becoming legendary Phantom sailing.

2026 P&B Phantom Nationals at Tenby Day 4 - photo © Alistair Mackay

Harry Briddon rounded the windward mark first and immediately looked in complete control. Behind him the fleet enjoyed some of the best downwind sailing many could remember, boats surfing and planing down perfectly formed waves under the sunshine.

The beats offered opportunities on both sides of the course, making pure boatspeed and good decision-making the difference.

Briddon never looked in danger and took the win from Alex Carr of Torpoint Mosquito SC, with overnight championship leader Rob Richardson finishing third.

Race 10 - One Last Blast

Into the final race and conditions somehow remained perfect.

The fleet had clearly learned its lessons from Saturday and once again got away cleanly.

Harry Briddon rounded first at the windward mark, but behind him chaos erupted.

Several boats attempted to occupy exactly the same bit of sea around the windward mark and the inevitable result was a collection of capsizes, collisions and general mayhem.

The names involved shall remain anonymous. Those of us further down the fleet took great comfort from the fact that even the very best occasionally find themselves swimming.

To sail a Phantom quickly means sailing right on the edge. Sometimes that edge disappears. Emerging ahead of the carnage were Briddon, Richardson, Alex "Two Hats" Carr, newly appointed Events Officer Will Gulliver and, naturally, the man he's replacing, Magic Mike Webster.

For once I was close enough to actually see what was happening at the front.

Then, Bang. After a championship run up plagued by boat breakages, my outhaul finally decided it'd had enough. Whilst the fleet charged off towards another windward mark with smiles on their faces, I was heading ashore for an early bath.

But some things never change. Briddon completed a dominant final day by securing another victory ahead of Richardson and Carr.

"That's Why We Sail Phantoms"

Having packed away early, I found myself in the ideal position to hear sailors returning ashore after Race 10.

One sailor, dressed suspiciously like Simon Hawkes and sporting a particularly stylish bucket hat, announced to anyone within earshot:

"That was the best f***** day of sailing in a very long time. I love Phantom sailing."

And honestly?

That probably sums up the entire championship better than anything else.

A New National Champion Crowned

After ten races and four outstanding days of competition, the 2026 P&B Phantom National Championship title went to Rob Richardson of Ovington Boats.

The current Musto Skiff World Champion demonstrated outstanding consistency throughout the week in Ovington's new dropped-floor Phantom, combining speed with remarkably few mistakes to secure the championship.

Harry Briddon's five race victories were sure enough for second overall, whilst defending champion Jon Rickard completed the podium. Sam's fifth place also confirmed that apparently one leg is still entirely sufficient to sail a Phantom very quickly.

Champion's View

New National Champion Rob Richardson commented:

"We had a fantastic week here at Tenby Sailing Club. The venue offered everything you look for at these events, a warm atmosphere, good race team, amazing racing conditions and great competitive racing."

"I was lucky enough to be racing the new dropped-floor Phantom which we have been working hard on at Ovington Boats. Seeing the boat perform so well after all the hard work the team at Ovington had put into it was extra rewarding. We now look forward to a big build run of boats towards the end of the year."

Rob Richardson wins the 2026 P&B Phantom Nationals at Tenby - photo © Alistair Mackay

A Championship To Remember

Several things made this championship special.

The new four-day format proved an overwhelming success.

For the first time in three years the full championship series was completed.

The race team delivered every scheduled race despite experiencing everything from 20-knot breezes and big waves through to light and highly unstable conditions.

Day One alone saw competitors sail approximately 27 miles offshore - Phantastic!

The courses provided genuine open-water racing and tested the fleet in every conceivable condition.

The event was also delighted to welcome Moira Nash, daughter of Phantom designer Brian Nash, helping maintain the strong connection between the class and its heritage.

Most importantly, the championship once again demonstrated what makes the Phantom class so special.

The racing standard has never been higher, the atmosphere has never been friendlier and and the socials remain as legendary as ever.

2026 P&B Phantom Nationals at Tenby Prize Winners - photo © Phantom Sailing

Race Winners:

Championship Trophy Winners

Age Categories

• 1st 20s - Rob Richardson (with several entries now in this category, perhaps it's time for a proper trophy. The Phantom is no longer just an old man's boat!)
• 1st 30s - John Bower Trophy - Harry Briddon
• 1st 40s - Two Score Trophy - Rob Cook
• 1st 50s - Half Ton Cup - Will Gulliver
• 1st 60s - Three Score Trophy - Simon Hewson

1. Nick Orman & Keiran Bowsher
2. Alex Carr & Nick Mason
3. Will Gulliver & Jonny Everett

1. Paddy Denby
2. John Harrison
3. Gavin Young

• Designer's Wives Cup (Highest Classic Boat) - Alan Husk
• Endeavour Trophy (Lowest Placed Finisher Completing Every Race) - Jeremy Deacon
• Club Team Champions - Northampton Sailing Club

Thank You

A championship of this quality does not happen by accident and huge thanks go to:

Headline Sponsor: P&B

Supporting Sponsors

• HD Sails
• Morgan Sails
• Ovington Boats
• Optimum Time
• Allen
• Vicky's Embroidery

• Commodore Marc Shepherd
• Ed Dashfield and the pre-event planning team
• Alistair Mackay for results
• Max Richards and the beach team
• Bar, catering and all the volunteers who made the week happen

• Nigel Denchfield - Race Officer
• Jo Musson - Assistant Race Officer
• The timekeepers, flag officers and support boat crews (whose names I should know but sadly don't!)

• Carol & Jon Haines

• Alistair Mackay
• Ester Salpeter
• Paula on the final day

Next Stop: Castle Cove

The Phantom fleet heads next year to Castle Cove Sailing Club, racing on the waters that hosted the London 2012 Olympic sailing competition.

If Tenby taught us anything, it's that the class is thriving.

Could we see 100 boats at Castle Cove? Honestly? It's entirely possible.

If you came to Tenby, bring your friends. If your friends don't own a Phantom, tell them to get one.

And don't put the boat away for winter just yet. There are still plenty of great events left on the calendar, including Burton, Windermere, Broadwater, Plymouth and the Final Fling. Find it Here: www.phantomclass.org.uk/this-years-events

After a week like Tenby, why would you want to stop?

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Phantom nationals then enter your Gear Guide information