Phantom Grand Prix at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club

Phantom Grand Prix at Leigh & Lowton © Paul Hargreaves

Phantom Grand Prix at Leigh & Lowton © Paul Hargreaves

Phantom Grand Prix at Leigh & Lowton © Paul Hargreaves

The first event on the newly instigated "Phantom Grand Prix Series" sponsored by Spinlock and Selden combined with the 1st round of the Phantom Northerns was held on April 11th & 12th at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club – Up North somewhere near Manchester.

The weather for the preceding days had been nice n warn, but the forecast for the weekend looked to be deteriorating and the forecast winds were going to be proven quite accurate.

The late arrivals on Friday evening, Titch n Monster in the Sundance Bar, closely followed by Mr Hawkes, snugged down in the car park and recalled old memories over a rum or two which Simon claimed to never have drunk before!

The morning brought bright sun and a nice gentle breeze which gradually increased to a solid F4. The planned training, with on-shore chat by Titch and on the water chasing around by Little Monster was received very well and the de-powering class on shore was put to good use on the water, while playing dodgems with the multiple Optimist fleets.

An excellent lunch was provided by the club galley and we were all ready for the racing, the PRO Paul Allen decided it would be better to run 4 races back to back on the Saturday due to Sundays forecast being "Quite Breezy".

Race 1 started promptly from the clubhouse line at 2pm and 16 Phantoms set off with a clean start in a gentle F3 to F4 gusting F5. The shortish beat to the windward mark was closely contested with the visitors discovering how quickly the strength and direction the wind changes at Leigh! Several helms were found to be checking the depth of the black mud and the burgee monster which must lurk within and lives on a diet of said items.

On turning the corner the Phantoms all came alive again and screamed down to the first gybe mark followed by another gybe mark for rounding the leeward mark for the now long beat back to the top. The line was crossed By Ed Thomas - TB4E.com 1st with a very close chasing pack of Alex Morrison – L&L SC, Mike Tustin – Bowmoor SC, Mark Dingsdale – L&L SC & John "Titch" Wayling – Northampton SC.

Race 2 followed back to back and the start was hotly contested, Titch tried a port end flyer only to be called OCS, but the horn must have jumped and the general recall was sounded much to Titches relief. The second start was clean it was more of the same with slightly stronger gusts making for some very fast reaching. Ed managing to fly his boat like it was on 3m swells but actually on flat water!

Then we had a clean start from the same club line with the same course and the same capsizes at the gybes (thanks for waiting for me Simon). Alex, Ed & Mike battled away changing places on the way round with Alex taking the bullet very closely followed by Ed, Mike, Titch & Greg Thomas – Southport SC - scraping into the top 5.

Race 3 followed back-to-back with a line change to a temporary club start line monitored by the safety boat for those OCS. The wind swinging had brought a bit less pressure and the now gentle F3-4 was losing its ability to knock us down...or were we getting better?!

Mike stormed away and held his slight lead all the way round to take the bullet, showing his investment was well worth it (Kate). 2nd was taken by Ed with a very close Alex and Simon Hawkes – Wimbleball - taking his first top 5 position on his return to his much loved Phantom, with Titch bagging his second 5th and feeling like the report was already his to write!

Race 4 started smartly with another sprint to the moved windward mark and a breeze which was nicely moderating to F3-4. Simons muscle memory was really coming alive now and he jumped into the lead and showed the rest of us there was still life in the 50+ fleet, taking a clean race win followed by the ever-consistent Mike, and Titch (another 50+ club member) in 3rd, with Alex in 4th and Ed languishing in 5th.

We all retired to well-earned shower, doses of ibuprofen and a few pre-quiz drinks in the bar. Takeaways were ordered and the clubhouse chatter about the winds ability to change strength and direction seemed to be the main discussion point. Don't know who won the quiz but it wasn't me!

Sunday morning arrived and with a relaxed 11am start time breakfast was eaten while whishing we were sailing as the wind was a moderate F2. As per the prediction the 30knt winds arrived at 10:45 from a southerly direction which was quick to wing South Westerly and increase to 40knts.

Race 5 start was briefly held while the depleted fleet went afloat and got safely down to the committee boat start line, the SW direction is across the width of the lake and the PRO set a course with three beats, all of them were up to the shore protected by the trees and buildings which made for a very interesting challenge. The wind continued to rise and points were to be had for those who could persevere and hang in there.

There were several retirements and the 5 heroes who made it through the finish deserved to take the points. Ed needed the win to secure his 1st place overall and showed his skills to get it. Alex used his local knowledge to great effect to come in 2nd, with Simon in 3rd and Mike in 4th, 5th and last place was a well-deserved 5 point for Ollie Shaw – L&L SC.

Boats were packed away and prizes handed out to 4th place Simon Hawkes – 14 points, 3rd place to Mike Tustin – 9 points, 2nd place to Alex Morrison – 8 points and the win to Ed Thomas – 6 points. Ed thanked the Club, PRO and Commodore for looking after us in difficult condition the Galley and bar for keeping us fed and watered.

A great 1st event for the Phantom season with 16 points handed out towards the magnificent prizes on offer from Spinlock and Selden the next Grand Prix event will be held at Creeksea SC down in Burnham on Crouch on 30th & 31st May. See you there.

Overall Results:

Phantom Grand Prix at Leigh & Lowton - photo © Paul Hargreaves