Phantom National Regatta Series 2021

Phantom Nationals at Stone © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Phantom Nationals at Stone © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Phantom Nationals at Stone © Richard Janulewicz / www.sharkbait.org.uk

To help commemorate the Phantom Class 50th Anniversary this year, the class introduced a National Regatta Series in addition to the normal regional traveller series. The regatta series provided the opportunity for sailors from around the country to travel a little further and meet up with fellow Phanatics, to compete in five national events spread across the south west, south east, east, midlands and the northern Phantom regions of the country.

The opening event in early June, the Inland Championships, was held at Northampton Sailing Club part of the midlands region with a fantastic entry of 34 boats. This light wind event was won by Simon Hawkes from Castle Cove Sailing Club, his first Phantom Inland Championship title, closely followed by Rob Cook from the home club with Rob Starling from Burghfield S.C. in third.

The second event in early July moved to the south west region and the ever popular Castle Cove S.C at Weymouth. In complete contrast to the first event in the series, the breeze was on, providing champagne sailing conditions. Ian Stone from Maidenhead S.C. relished the fresh breeze and lumpy sea state wining the event with local boy Nick Orman coming second and John 'Titch' Wayling from Northampton S.C. in third place.

Filey S.C. in North Yorkshire hosted the northern Phantom national regatta gathering, which formed part of Filey S.C. own 70th Anniversary July Regatta weekend. With the wind building over the weekend to a moderate northerly breeze, the north sea true to form provided its famous big swell. The conditions were enjoyed by most of the fleet with some still regretting the lack of big sea sailing. Mike Webster from Northampton S.C. took overall first place honors with John Shaw form East Lothian Y.C. in second and Matt Velamail of Beaver S.C. the newby to the fleet in third.

With the series now well under way the south east region provided the early September venue for the penultimate regatta event hosted by Lee on the Solent S.C. Another sea venue was enjoyed by the visitors with Chris Shelton of Downs S.C. taking the winners title, followed by Nick Orman from Castle Cove S.C. in second place and Nigel King of Lymington Town S.C in third.

Only one event remained and the regatta series was still all to play for with each preceding event won by different sailors. Appropriately the finale would be played out at the National Championships in mid September. Stone S.C. in the east of England welcomed a near record entry of 76 boats. In challenging conditions the three day event played its part in not only providing a fantastic National Championships but also the deciding event of the National Regatta Series.

In the end Ian Stone of Maidenhead S.C. become the Phantom National Champion, which also placed him at the top of the leader board for the 2021 National Regatta Series. Second and third place at the National championships went to Andy Couch of Blithfiled S.C. and Charlie Chandler of Bowmoor S.C. respectively.

Congratulations to Ian Stone for completing the 'Double' - 2021 Phantom National Champion and National Regatta Series Winner.

Second place in the Regatta Series went to Simon Hawkes, Castle Cove S.C. and Richard Sims from Carsington S.C. finishing in third place.

The regatta series has showed the strength and depth of the Phantom class across all regions with a total of 95 boats taking part, with the top ten placing being dominated by the South West and Midlands regions.

Phantom National Regatta Series 2021: (3 from 5 to count)