Phantom Inland Championships at Grafham Water Sailing Club

Thirteen Phantom sailors who ignored the forecast or looked at all the wrong websites attended the Inlands at Grafham Water. The event was sponsored by P&B and shared with the Europe class. Three races were planned for the Saturday with the wind a steady at 25-30 knots. Andy Couch set the pace in race one with Ian Sullivan coming in second.

Race one produced a few casualties, including James Dawson who even brought a spare boat along! Others blamed fear of the killer shrimp that patrol the depths.

Those that were left for race two were treated to an extra 5-10 knots or so of wind. Andy took another "easy" win with Matthew House a tough second. Those at the rear of the fleet it was a case of KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON as there were many casualties on the downwind legs and places to be had.

Race three was sensibly abandoned as there was no let up in the wind. For the pond sailor, including your correspondent, what was supposed to be the inlands had the feel of open sea sailing.

On Sunday, four shorter races were planned to make up for the shortfall on day one. The wind looked almost as strong as Saturday but 10 Phantoms made it to the start line to decide the championship. Andy Couch took another victory with Andrew Wilde discovering some day two form, Matthew House taking another consistent third.

For race four the Phantom's were hard to spot among the Europe class as a few more racers decided to head back to the shelter of the club house. Race four produced another victory for Andy Couch, Andrew Wilde another solid second. Matthew House and Simon Heusen third and fourth respectively.

By Race five there were only five boats left and guess what Andy won this one as well! Andrew Wilde another great second, Simon Heusen third. Matthew House took a tumble down wind so Peter Cook took fourth. With five wins in the bag Andy Couch took an early bath as he was one of the few sailors who hadn't done much swimming over the weekend.

Only four boats made race six to fight over 2nd, 3rd and 4th places. On the second beat the wind really got up but Andrew Wilde managed to hold on and take the victory, Simon Heusen second, Matthew House third.

Congratulations to Andy Couch the 2013 Inland Champion!

Thanks to the team at Grafham Water for a great weekend's racing and P&B for providing prizes for everone.

Overall Results:

1st 1345 Andy Couch
2nd 1421 Andrew Wilde
3rd 1355 Matthew House
4th 1413 Simon Heusen
5th 1125 Peter Cook
6th 1175 John Wayling
7th 1404 Ian Sullivan
8th 1359 Ben Falat
9th 1201 Martin Mills
10th 1305 Ian Miller
11th 1248 Mike Webster
12th 1408 James Dawson
12th 1423 James Jarvey