Alton Water event getting closer...

Well, we are finally getting within touching distance of the first Eastern Series Event at Alton Water. The details are all on the class website but I'll repeat them here as a reminder.....

Training Day Saturday 14th March 2009

Trainers: Simon Childs and John Wayling Phantom Class Association

Plus RYA Rules Training to brief us all on the new rules etc....

10.00 Arrive (Rigging up etc)
10.30 Briefing (In classroom and lunch orders placed) on water at 10.45

OPEN MEETING

Sunday 15th March 2009 4 races 3 to count Races of 45mins (approx)

Lunch to be booked at registration

(Start sequence 5-4-1-Start)

10.00 Registration (Catering open from 9.00)
10.30 Race 1
12.45 Race 2
13.30 Lunch

Race 3 followed by
Race 4
Off water by 16.00
17.00 Prize giving

Cost. Whole weekend £15. One day only £10 Open or Training. Meal at a nearby pub on Saturday Night.

I've booked in to the Premier Inn at Ipswich South following the lead from James and Clive. I guess Rodders and Margaret may be in the "home from home" ????

I am hoping to sail this weekend at Alton as I may have forgotten how it all goes together after the Bloody (cold) Mary......

When will summer arrive??

Okay, I am now seriously fed up with this weather and really looking forward to getting in to March and the season proper.

Here are some photos to remind you all of what we are all missing.....

And here's a very rare shot (yep, me in a Laser) but it does bring back memories of warmer weather (very much warmer weather...)

Ben Ainslie? Who's he!

Random thoughts.

I suppose the beauty of a blog is that I can let some random thoughts float out to you all.

So what are we all doing "chatting" on the class forum to someone who is clearly a) just out of an Oppie, b) looking for a handicap bandit boat at his club c) never going to be big enough for a Phantom.

Rodders has put his beloved "Paris" on the market, wow! and I thought he was going quite fast enough as it was. He has clearly noted the advantage of an Ovi with that instant impact of boatspeed - what did ever happen to "son of Neil" by the way?? Only joshing Rod.

James Case asked me a very impolite question the other day but Yes, it's true James, the battle for the half ton cup is well and truly on....

Welcome to the blog Jez, here you will hopefully get the low down on what's happening during the season. Bewl is not on the Eastern Series this year and I have resisted the attempts to create a South Eastern Series encompassing everything from QMSC to Shoreham....hopefully someone will step up to the plate and take on a Southern Series or similar.

If anyone knows of a punter for a GRP Vandercraft I was chatting to Jim McLeod the other day who is selling his. He's had the usual emails enquiries from Wales asking for some nice photo's etc. but has not had a real bite yet. His boat is in good shape and would be a good entry level boat to the class. Know anyone that's a potential addition to the class? Point them in Jim's direction so he can trade up to a carbon rocket ship.

Nine events, six to count.

Well, the sponsors have spoken. Nine events (as shown to the right of the blog) and six to count for the series.

I think that it would be helpful if we could clarify the procedure for discards at each event as well. I am sure that we will be asked at some of the two day events whether consideration will be given to allowing competitors who sail just the Sunday to be able to qualify. I think the danger with this line is that it only really works if there was going to be one race on the Saturday and a one discard rule applied to the event.

This weekend I took "Mutley" over to Maylandsea on Saturday with a view to sailing on Sunday - I realised however that a 9:30 start loomed and just couldn't be bothered......off next week on holiday, so it look's like two more weekends missed. Still at least the boats clean now and ready to go.

Burnham Week has been removed from the event list as I gather it's inclusion was causing confusion - so I'll repeat what has been said before about this event.

It's not part of the Eastern series, but is there if the class members would like an event before the Nationals. I shall be working with John Torrance if the Class Association feel that the Eastern sailors merit their own Championship, and will be sailing in Burnham Week whatever happens. As a club Creeksea will be supporting the event but this year it is likely that we shall be able to sail it from the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Burnham, rather than Burnham / Creeksea. The courses would be the same as for the Endeavour Trophy i.e. on the Crouch at the mouth of the Roach with committee boat starts.

If the Class Association feel that it may clash with the Nationals (which are way over to the West...) then I would not wish to organise an event and stand accused of having spoilt the Nationals entry. So over to the Committee.......

So, who's going to the Dinghy Exhibition on March 7th 8th then....