Eastern Series 2010

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!

The 2010 Eastern Series is now complete and the dates are now set. See to the right of this post.

All we need now is for Easter to hurry along and we'll be off again!

Keep turning left

I apologise for not updating this site much in recent months but I have been both blocked out by a change of policy (have to have a google email account to use it) and not a lot has been happening.

I will however put up the 2010 calendar and have some news on the East Coast Championships. I won't give too much away but we've got an "A" grade sponsor lined up. Not as good as Rod and JJ I'm sure but it's one less thing to worry about.

In the meantime here's something to keep you all slightly entertained. This chap is posting on youtube as he "meanders" up the coast. Quite amusing particularly if you know your East Coast backwaters.

Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/user/dylanwinter1

2010 Calendar

Hi,

Well it look's like we are getting there in planning the season ahead. No real changes but Up River Yacht Club has come in and Stone has been dropped. 9 events and discards up for debate with the sponsors! (but 6 to count seems fair to me....).

Neil Fulcher has however offered to run a sea training event at Stone before the Nationals which I think is a great idea and one that we should pursue (I won't forget Daren asking me how to sail on waves at the Nationals - as if I know!!).

I'll post the dates in the usual manner when I am happy that we are sure there are no issues with clashes and the like.

Eastern Series 2009 overall results

Here are the overall results for 2009. If I was looking a little "stressed" at Hickling it was because the Sailwave application I use decided to delete helm names from the file I had on my USB stick when I put it on Simons laptop....I love computers really...some names may be incomplete or missing and I have a sneaky feeling some may be duplicated but I'm sure you will all work out what went on. I'll edit the results and correct any errors before further publication.

Anyway, well done everyone - and personal apologies to Windy for pipping him to fourth place at the last event.

Results are final as of 12:11 on October 14, 2009
Overall
Sailed: 9, Discards: 3, To count: 6, Entries: 58, Scoring system: Appendix A
1st
1175
John Wayling
Northampton
2.0
3.0
(59.0 DNC)
2.0
1.0
(5.0)
(9.0)
1.0
3.0
85.0
12.0
2nd
1209
James Jarvey
Hickling Broad
3.0
1.0
(16.0)
(7.0)
2.0
3.0
6.0
3.0
(12.0)
53.0
18.0
3rd
1255
James Case
Wells
6.0
5.0
5.0
4.0
(59.0 DNC)
6.0
(10.0)
(59.0 DNC)
1.0
155.0
27.0
4th
1278
Chris Roberts
Creeksea
5.0
7.0
7.0
(59.0 DNC)
7.0
(8.0)
7.0
2.0
(9.0)
111.0
35.0
5th
1305
Windy Miller
Alton Water
4.0
(11.0)
6.0
(16.0)
5.0
7.0
5.0
8.0
(13.0)
75.0
35.0
6th
1269
Simon Fielden
Hickling Broad
(19.0)
4.0
4.0
9.0
(59.0 DNC)
14.0
2.0
(59.0 DNC)
4.0
174.0
37.0
7th
1259
Jez Taylor
Southwold
9.0
9.0
9.0
10.0
(59.0 DNC)
9.0
(59.0 DNC)
4.0
(17.0)
185.0
50.0
8th
1256
Rod Thorpe
Alton Water
7.0
(12.0)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
8.0
11.0
11.0
7.0
10.0
184.0
54.0
9th
1157
Nick Radley
Harlow Blackwater
18.0
6.0
(59.0 DNC)
3.0
12.0
21.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
21.0
258.0
81.0
10th
1116
Marcus Ingram
Creeksea / Up River
8.0
(59.0 DNC)
3.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
4.0
5.0
7.0
263.0
86.0
11th
1171
Dave Hawkins
Alton Water
(20.0)
14.0
(59.0 DNC)
17.0
(59.0 DNC)
20.0
15.0
10.0
20.0
234.0
96.0
12th
1183
Daren Pike
Rollesby Broad
22.0
10.0
1.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
13.0
59.0 DNC
6.0
288.0
111.0
13th
1290
Nick Thorp
Alton Water
12.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
9.0
16.0
20.0
59.0 DNC
16.0
309.0
132.0
14th
1128
Matt House
Royal Harwich
11.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
6.0
(59.0 DNC)
10.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
8.0
330.0
153.0
15th
1150
Ian Clarke
Alton Water
15.0
(59.0 DNC)
14.0
11.0
(59.0 DNC)
19.0
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
354.0
177.0
16th
1184
Clive Morley
Minnis Bay
21.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
14.0
9.0
18.0
357.0
180.0
17th
1130


Hunts
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
12.0
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
1.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
2.0
369.0
192.0
18th
1324


Stone
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
5.0
59.0 DNC
4.0
8.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
371.0
194.0
19th
1317


Shoreham
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
12.0
3.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
11.0
59.0 DNC
380.0
203.0
20th
1311
Andy Large

Brighlingsea
16.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
14.0
6.0
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
390.0
213.0
21st
1288
Doug

South Shields
14.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
12.0
59.0 DNC
11.0
391.0
214.0
22nd
1309


Stone
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
2.0
1.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
416.0
239.0
23rd
1279
Ian Pavey

Alton Water
10.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
10.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
433.0
256.0
24th
1225
Steve Popple

Shoreham
13.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
13.0
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
439.0
262.0
25th
1261


Brightlingsea
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
11.0
17.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
441.0
264.0
26th
1135


Stone
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
12.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
22.0
447.0
270.0
27th
1193


Stone
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
18.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
23.0
454.0
277.0
28th


Shoreham
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
1.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
473.0
296.0
29th
1274
Simon Childs

Northampton
1.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
473.0
296.0
30th
1343


Draycott Water SC
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
2.0
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
474.0
297.0
31st
1342


West Riding
(59.0 DNC)
2.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
474.0
297.0
32nd
1301


Thorpe Bay
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
3.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
475.0
298.0
33rd
1243


Chase
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
4.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
476.0
299.0
34th
1340
Tyler

(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
5.0
477.0
300.0
35th
1211


Downs SC
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
6.0
59.0 DNC
478.0
301.0
36th


Shoreham
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
8.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
480.0
303.0
37th
1316


Hunts
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
8.0
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
480.0
303.0
38th
1195


Hickling Broad
(59.0 DNC)
8.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
480.0
303.0
39th
1329


Hunts
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
10.0
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
482.0
305.0
40th
1334


Hunts
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
11.0
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
483.0
306.0
41st
1300


Creeksea
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
13.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
485.0
308.0
42nd
1116X


Stewartby Water SC
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
13.0
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
485.0
308.0
43rd
969


Hickling Broad
(59.0 DNC)
13.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
485.0
308.0
44th
1344


(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
14.0
486.0
309.0
45th
1149


(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
15.0
487.0
310.0
46th
1321


BCU
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
15.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
487.0
310.0
47th


Hunts
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
15.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
487.0
310.0
48th
1233


Hunts
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
15.0
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
487.0
310.0
49th
1116


Gt Yarmouth & Gorleston
(59.0 DNC)
15.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
487.0
310.0
50th
1350


Fishers Green
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
16.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
488.0
311.0
51st
1312


Thorpe Bay
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
17.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
489.0
312.0
52nd
1054


Nottingham
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
17.0
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
489.0
312.0
53rd
1111


BLYM
17.0
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
489.0
312.0
54th
931


Creeksea
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
18.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
490.0
313.0
55th
1169


(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
19.0
491.0
314.0
56th
931


Creeksea
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
19.0
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
491.0
314.0
57th
1180


(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
24.0
496.0
319.0
58th


(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
(59.0 DNC)
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
59.0 DNC
531.0
354.0


Sailwave Scoring Software 2.02 build 1www.sailwave.com

Fern Cottage Hickling

Well, that's Hickling over and done with and another Eastern Series finishes. More on all that later.

"Fern Cottage" sleeps 6 comfortably - and lot's more at a squeeze......

Minnis Report - the real one!

Phantom Eastern Series at Minnis Bay SC

The Phantom fleet travelled to Minnis Bay SC on the North Kent coast for round 8 of the TemperaTech/JJ Boats Eastern series over the weekend of 26/27 September.

By the time of the 11am briefing on Saturday a light onshore breeze had arrived and the fleet were sent afloat for 3 back to back races. The race officer set a trapezoid course to give 2 tight reaches with a beat and run.

Race 1 set the scene for the weekend with a water based game of snakes and ladders where anything could happen and it paid to stay awake and never give up. Chris “Yotting Cod” Roberts fresh from his half ton cup win at the Nationals led up the final beat but could only watch as James Jarvey and Jez Taylor hit the right hand corner and passed him. These three held their positions around the final lap in the rapidly decreasing wind.

Thankfully the breeze returned between races and after a quick course change the fleet were off again. John “Titch” Wayling nailed a perfect port end start and led up the first beat chased by the in form Roberts. These 2 battled it out at the front with Roberts briefly taking the lead before Wayling regained the ascendancy. Wayling held his lead to the finish, with Roberts 2^nd and Jarvey 3^rd.

By race 3 the flood tide was in full effect and there was only really one way to go up the beat. Roberts had found his corner, which was somewhere towards Margate and promptly showed the fleet the way round, chased by Chris Shelton and Rod Thorpe, again another race of snakes and ladders with place changes aplenty throughout the fleet.

Key lessons from the day were: 1) If you think you’re laying the windward mark, you’re probably not, and 2) Apparently James Blunt isn’t very good at sailing.

The sailors headed ashore and after making a dent in the stocks of the Sundance bar retired to the sailing club to watch Ipswich Town FC get humiliated live on national tv, much to the amusement of everyone but the writer of this report! They then sampled the excellent food served up from the galley, how many chilli con carnes can one man eat? and consumed a barrel of Spitfire laid on by Minnis Bays Phantom representative Clive Morley.

Sunday morning brought more of the same conditions, a gentle sea breeze and sunshine and the fleet headed out for a 10:30 start and another 3 back to back races.

Roberts started as he’d finished the previous day leading at the windward mark and sailing away from the fleet for the race win, with Ingram 2^nd and Wayling 3^rd.

Race 5 and Taylor led around the first lap, under pressure from Wayling, Jarvey and Ingram, the pressure told on lap 2 and Wayling took the lead and pulled clear on the final lap. Behind him Taylor and Jarvey match raced to the finish with Taylor taking 2^nd on the line. With Roberts back in midfleet it meant the fight for 1^st place overall would go down to the final race.

Chris Shelton lead at the windward mark and down the first reach, but was passed by Taylor and Wayling on the run, Wayling again applying the pressure and passing Taylor to take the lead, with Roberts back in 6^th and with work to do. Wayling held his lead to the finish with Taylor 2^nd and Jarvey 3^rd following another last beat tacking duel.

Overall Wayling had done enough in the final 2 races to take the event by a two points from Roberts, with Jarvey 3^rd.

At the prizegiving the commodore of Minnis Bay SC thanked the Phantom fleet for visiting and hoped they would return next year. John Wayling thanked the club for hosting the event, the excellent race management with quick course changes to allow quick turnarounds between races and especially the bar and kitchen volunteers for keeping the sailors fed and watered.

The Eastern Series now moves to its finale at Hickling Broad on 10/11 October, with all still to play at the top of the overall standings and the minor places, together with the legendary end of season social at the Greyhound and final prizegiving it looks set to be a great event and one not to be missed.

Phantom Eastern Series Round 8 - Minnis Bay SC

1^st John Wayling Northampton SC

2^nd Chris Roberts Creeksea SC

3^rd James Jarvey Hickling Broad SC

4^th Jez Taylor Southwold SC

5^th Marcus Ingram Up River YC

6^th Chris Shelton Downs SC

7^th Rod Thorpe Creeksea SC

8^th Ian Miller Alton Water SC

9^th Clive Morley Minnis Bay SC

10^th Dave Hawkins Alton Water SC

11^th Stephen Popple Shoreham SC

Eastern Series Results after Minnis Bay

Hi,

Well, I've taken the very subtle hint from Denver Dave and here are the updated results (Dave actually asked if my hands had dropped off or something similar....).

Hickling Broad now looks like it will be a real battle between James and Titch. Third, fourth and fifth look a bit tight as well. Gulp!

I have also been asked to clarify the discards being applied. 9 races 6 to count. See below the precis listing for all results - and get your calculators going!

Here goes:-

Rank SailNo HelmName Club Nett

1st 1175 John Wayling Northampton 9.0

2nd 1209 James Jarvey Hickling Broad 12.0

3rd 1255 James Case Wells 26.0

4th 1305 Ian Miller Alton Water 27.0

5th 1278 Chris Roberts Creeksea 28.0

6th 1269 Simon Fielden Hickling Broad 33.0

7th 1259 Jez Taylor Southwold 40.0

8th 1256 Rod Thorpe Alton Water 44.0

9th 1157 Nick Radley Harlow Blackwater 60.0

10th 1116 Marcus Ingram Creeksea / Up River 73.0

11th 1171 Dave Hawkins Alton Water 76.0

12th 1183 Daren Pike Rollesby Broad 99.0

13th 1290 Nick Thorp Alton Water 110.0

14th 1150 Ian Clarke Alton Water 112.0

15th 1324 Neil Fulcher Stone 123.0

16th 1317 Stephen Popple Shoreham 132.0

17th 1128 Matt House Royal Harwich 133.0

18th 1311 Andy Large Brighlingsea 142.0

19th 1184 Clive Morley Minnis Bay 150.0

20th 1309 Lawrence Crispin Stone 162.0

21st 1130 Richard Parkin Hunts 172.0

22nd 1279 Ian Pavey Alton Water 179.0

23rd 1288 Doug Conway South Shields 185.0

24th 1225 Alistair Glen Shoreham 185.0

25th 1261 Andy Hicks Brightlingsea 187.0

26th Tyler Harmsworth Shoreham 213.0

27th 1274 Simon Childs Northampton 213.0

28th 1343 Norman Byrd Draycott Water SC 214.0

29th 1342 Mark Weston West Riding 214.0

30th 1301 Allen Burrell Thorpe Bay 215.0

31st 1243 Paul Lester Chase 216.0

32nd 1211 Chris Shelton Downs SC 218.0

33rd Robin Hobson Shoreham 220.0

34th 1316 David Clarke Hunts 220.0

35th 1195 Ian Ayres Hickling Broad 220.0

36th 1329 Neville Taylor Hunts 222.0

37th 1334 James Scrimshaw Hunts 223.0

38th 1135 Mike Stone Stone 224.0

39th 1300 John Torrance Creeksea 225.0

40th 1116X Ian Howard Stewartby Water SC 225.0

41st 969 Alex Tibbenham Hickling Broad 225.0

42nd 1321 Alistair Warren BCU 227.0

43rd Ed Dixon Hunts 227.0

44th 1233 Chris Hibbert Hunts 227.0

45th 1116 Chris Sallis Gt Yarmouth & Gorleston 227.0

46th 1350 Ken Daniels Fishers Green 228.0

47th 1312 Paul Beasley Thorpe Bay 229.0

48th 1054 Andy Griffin Nottingham 229.0

49th 1111 Andy Gregory BLYM 229.0

50th 931 Mark Ingall Creeksea 230.0

51st 1193 Phil Longley Stone 230.0

52nd 931 Noel Sutcliffe Creeksea 231.0

Rank SailNo HelmName Club Alton Water Rollesby Broad Hunts Southwold Brightlingsea Stone Creeksea Minnis Bay Hickling Nett

1st 1175 John Wayling Northampton 2.0 3.0 (53.0 DNC) 2.0 1.0 (5.0) (9.0) 1.0 9.0

2nd 1209 James Jarvey Hickling Broad 3.0 1.0 (16.0) (7.0) 2.0 3.0 (6.0) 3.0 12.0

3rd 1255 James Case Wells 6.0 5.0 5.0 4.0 (53.0 DNC) 6.0 (10.0) (53.0 DNC) 26.0

4th 1305 Ian Miller Alton Water 4.0 (11.0) 6.0 (16.0) 5.0 7.0 5.0 (8.0) 27.0

5th 1278 Chris Roberts Creeksea 5.0 (7.0) 7.0 (53.0 DNC) 7.0 (8.0) 7.0 2.0 28.0

6th 1269 Simon Fielden Hickling Broad (19.0) 4.0 4.0 9.0 (53.0 DNC) 14.0 2.0 (53.0 DNC) 33.0

7th 1259 Jez Taylor Southwold 9.0 9.0 9.0 (10.0) (53.0 DNC) 9.0 (53.0 DNC) 4.0 40.0

8th 1256 Rod Thorpe Alton Water 7.0 (12.0) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 8.0 11.0 11.0 7.0 44.0

9th 1157 Nick Radley Harlow Blackwater 18.0 6.0 (53.0 DNC) 3.0 12.0 21.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 60.0

10th 1116 Marcus Ingram Creeksea / Up River 8.0 (53.0 DNC) 3.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 4.0 5.0 73.0

11th 1171 Dave Hawkins Alton Water (20.0) 14.0 (53.0 DNC) 17.0 (53.0 DNC) 20.0 15.0 10.0 76.0

12th 1183 Daren Pike Rollesby Broad 22.0 10.0 1.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 13.0 53.0 DNC 99.0

13th 1290 Nick Thorp Alton Water 12.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 9.0 16.0 20.0 53.0 DNC 110.0

14th 1150 Ian Clarke Alton Water 15.0 (53.0 DNC) 14.0 11.0 (53.0 DNC) 19.0 (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 112.0

15th 1324 Neil Fulcher Stone (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 5.0 53.0 DNC 4.0 8.0 53.0 DNC 123.0

16th 1317 Stephen Popple Shoreham (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 12.0 3.0 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 11.0 132.0

17th 1128 Matt House Royal Harwich 11.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 6.0 (53.0 DNC) 10.0 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 133.0

18th 1311 Andy Large Brighlingsea 16.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 14.0 6.0 (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 142.0

19th 1184 Clive Morley Minnis Bay 21.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 14.0 9.0 150.0

20th 1309 Lawrence Crispin Stone (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 2.0 1.0 53.0 DNC 162.0

21st 1130 Richard Parkin Hunts (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 12.0 (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 1.0 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 172.0

22nd 1279 Ian Pavey Alton Water 10.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 10.0 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 179.0

23rd 1288 Doug Conway South Shields 14.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 12.0 53.0 DNC 185.0

24th 1225 Alistair Glen Shoreham 13.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 13.0 (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 185.0

25th 1261 Andy Hicks Brightlingsea (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 11.0 17.0 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 187.0

26th Tyler Harmsworth Shoreham (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 1.0 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 213.0

27th 1274 Simon Childs Northampton 1.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 213.0

28th 1343 Norman Byrd Draycott Water SC (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 2.0 (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 214.0

29th 1342 Mark Weston West Riding (53.0 DNC) 2.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 214.0

30th 1301 Allen Burrell Thorpe Bay (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 3.0 53.0 DNC 215.0

31st 1243 Paul Lester Chase (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 4.0 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 216.0

32nd 1211 Chris Shelton Downs SC (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 6.0 218.0

33rd Robin Hobson Shoreham (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 8.0 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 220.0

34th 1316 David Clarke Hunts (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 8.0 (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 220.0

35th 1195 Ian Ayres Hickling Broad (53.0 DNC) 8.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 220.0

36th 1329 Neville Taylor Hunts (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 10.0 (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 222.0

37th 1334 James Scrimshaw Hunts (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 11.0 (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 223.0

38th 1135 Mike Stone Stone (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 12.0 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 224.0

39th 1300 John Torrance Creeksea (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 13.0 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 225.0

40th 1116X Ian Howard Stewartby Water SC (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 13.0 (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 225.0

41st 969 Alex Tibbenham Hickling Broad (53.0 DNC) 13.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 225.0

42nd 1321 Alistair Warren BCU (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 15.0 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 227.0

43rd Ed Dixon Hunts (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 15.0 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 227.0

44th 1233 Chris Hibbert Hunts (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 15.0 (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 227.0

45th 1116 Chris Sallis Gt Yarmouth & Gorleston (53.0 DNC) 15.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 227.0

46th 1350 Ken Daniels Fishers Green (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 16.0 53.0 DNC 228.0

47th 1312 Paul Beasley Thorpe Bay (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 17.0 53.0 DNC 229.0

48th 1054 Andy Griffin Nottingham (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 17.0 (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 229.0

49th 1111 Andy Gregory BLYM 17.0 (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 229.0

50th 931 Mark Ingall Creeksea (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 18.0 53.0 DNC 230.0

51st 1193 Phil Longley Stone (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 18.0 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 230.0

52nd 931 Noel Sutcliffe Creeksea (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) (53.0 DNC) 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 53.0 DNC 19.0 53.0 DNC 231.0

Nationals

Okay, now starting to think about the Nationals. Is it going to be blown off? How many boats will there be? etc.

I found this useful link on the Llandudno SC website - Windguru for Llandudno

http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?go=1&lang=eng&wj=knots&tj=c&odh=3&doh=22&fhours=180&vs=1&sc=42505

Mutley has just had her last sail at Creeksea and what a pleasant blast it was too.

Eastern Champs

Blimey! I'm exhausted but relatively intact and so is Mutley. A great weekend and a fantastically close series. Very, very hard racing with not an inch spared anywhere in the fleet.

I hope that those that made the effort enjoyed themselves - the Phantom must have made an impact as we hurtled past everything else afloat (with the possible exception of some scary multihulls).

The Osprey Class have suggested that next year we should combine and enjoy a formal dinner with them at the RCYC - it would be great if we had more boats than them next time!!

The results - well, Simon had a deserved victory and I got the feeling that Titch might have just been getting into his stride - James also looked fast in his new boat - the racing just gets closer and harder at each event.

The results :-

1 1269 The Kitchen Simon Feildon
2 1175 Alice John Wayling
3 1255 Snakebite James Case
4 1293 Dilligaf Robin Toozs-Hobson
5 1128 Mittens Matthew House
6 1278 Mutley Chris Roberts
7 1209 Caspar James Harvey
8 1300 Mudsquatter John Torrance
9 1249 Alan Tolley
10 1350 Red Demon Ken Daniels
11 1259 Sweet Chariot Jez Taylor

Eastern Champs

Are you like me and wondering when you'll ever have another race against your bestest friends in the fleet? I can't believe that we have had such a big gap in the calendar, although I guess that had we planned any more events for July/August everyone would have said it was too many!

Burnham Week looks like it will provide both a great social event and a pre-Nationals warm up. The clubs in Burnham are all planning social events and we really will be spoilt for choice as to which to grace with our presence.

I will be putting another post up on the class website shortly to ask who's going and try and whip up some enthusiasm(?) from the usual suspects.

Can't wait....

Holiday!

Well, here goes. Off to Greece for a week and then away on "Trio" for a further week pottering around the coast. I hope Neilson have kept their kit in tip top order at Port Heli because I intend to give it some stick.

As usual I expect I'll bemoan the fact that my beloved Phantom isn't there to play with and grow tired of explaining "Yes, I sail a Phantom - you haven't ever heard of them? - Yes, they are a bit like a big Laser but x million times better....". Absence makes the heart grow fonder they say.

I reckon that by the time we get into August everyone will be desperate for another event - the Eastern Champs will be well placed to fit this hunger!

Anyway, take care everyone. Bye.

Chris.

Creeksea Report

Creeksea Phantom Open Meeting


An impressive fleet of twenty boats met to contest the ever-popular Creeksea Sailing Club Phantom Open meeting over the weekend of 4th and 5th July. The weather forecast had looked too good to be true but for once it lived up to its promise with glorious sunshine and an improving breeze all weekend.

The wind direction did however give the crack race officer team under the direction of Edwin Buckley a challenge in setting good starting windward legs but the judicious use of temporary marks and navigation buoys ensured that a variety of courses were set.

Race one saw the fleet catch the last of the ebbing tide to fetch the navigation mark off the Burnham Yacht harbour with home club members Roberts and Ingram being first to round and head back up river against the tide with the fleet strung out behind. Ingram managed to overtake Roberts on the run and led around every subsequent mark. Unfortunately for him this included rounding the final mark the wrong way thus gifting Roberts a race win ahead of Ian Miller from Alton Water.

Race two was held over the same course and this time Lawrence Crispin dominated the race finishing ahead of an in form Miller and Simon Fielden.

After lunch the fleet had to acclimatise themselves to both a slight change in wind direction and a flooding tide over a revised course. In their eagerness to start several sailors misjudged the line and paid the penalty. Race winner Ingram made no mistakes with the course this time and fought his way past Allen Burrell to record another home boat win.

After day one the results were looking close and the big guns in the fleet were looking nervous. An excellent evening ashore with free apres-sail beer and a meal in town was rounded off by the sharing of a specially commissioned birthday cake for the ever young James Case.

Sunday was another glorious day with the breeze resolutely refusing to swing either East or West to give a decisive first beat. So it was that the old favourite course involving a beat to Canewdon was pulled out of the Race Officers armoury of up river courses. Also appearing was a starting gun that ensured the fleet would be in no doubt that they had started!

The first race of the day was won by Crispin ahead of a delighted Doug Conway – making his long journey from the far North worthwhile. Much place changing took place during the race with local boats spotting the opportunity to exploit their Crouch knowledge on the reach back to the club by changing banks and crossing the tide to benefit from strong wind and slacker water on the North shore.

Race two was held back to back and was won by Simon Fielden who appeared to have shrugged off both his hangover and his past loathing for anything less than a gale!

After lunch the final race of the day was sailed over a shorter course and multiple laps as the fleet had by now had enough of close tacking amongst local day boat classes and racing yachts whilst resisting the attentions of everything from passing Sunseekers to ex-RNLI lifeboats.

As if to oblige the wind picked up to give onshore spectators a real treat of Phantoms in their element, blasting through reaching legs with many a grin to be seen. The placing of the windward mark also gave rise to some place changing and the odd swim as gusts dropping over the riverbank caught the unwary. Crispin and Burrell really came to life in this race and battled around the course to finish ahead of Fielden.

With a consistent set of results with nothing less than a fifth and three race wins Crispin won the Open ahead of a very happy Fielden. Burrell took third spot and Ingram fourth.

Notable achievements lower down the fleet were acknowledged at the prizegiving with Mark Ingall of the home club being congratulated for a determined performance in his classic non self draining wooden boat with tin rig having completed all the races on Sunday in testing conditions.
And so the Tempera-tec / JJ boats sponsored Eastern Series ended its seventh event with the next event at Minnis Bay taking place after the Nationals looking ever more important to those in contention.

Stone Sailing Club Report

Okay, writers cramp and writers block are now setting in and I can't face the prospect of writing up the Creeksea Report yet but here's the Stone Report...

Stone Sailing Club Phantom Open Meeting

The sixth event in the JJ boats / Tempera-Tec sponsored Eastern Series took place at Stone Sailing Club on 27th / 28th June.

Twenty-one helms assembled on Saturday in glorious sunshine at Stone but were dismayed to see little wind on a serene Blackwater dotted with stationary yachts. A short postponement allowed much banter and ample time for sail measurement and boat tweaking.

When released from the shore around midday the fleet was pleased to see that the breeze whilst somewhat fickle was good enough to allow a good course to be set by Wendy Robinson and her delectable team of helpers.

The first race of the day saw the fleet beat with the tide in close order to round the windward mark and split to both sides of the course in an effort to cheat the flooding tide. Lawrence Crispin and several other boats chose an alternative option of going for pressure down the rhumb line and gave an object lesson in the benefits of sailing the shortest course by rounding before the fleet converged from the sides of the course. Crispin went on to win but was intriguing followed home by visitor Richard Parkin from Hunts. More accustomed to inland venues but with a reputation for being a light weather ace Parkins result may not have registered on some at that time.

The second race win by Parkin over Crispin was however telling and a win by James Jarvey from Hickling Broad (another acknowledged light weather ace) made things look distinctly interesting by the end of the day.

The evening festivities started with a meal consumed by the fleet whilst both Wimbledon and the days rugby results were equally digested.

Moving on to the bar the fleet clicked up a gear to join in with a sing along conducted busker style as part of the Cancer Research Busking Week by a local musician and Laser sailor. Perhaps emboldened by excess alcohol the fleet proved that there is no correlation between sailing ability and singing talent.

Sunday started in a similar manner to the previous day with a mist over the Blackwater obscuring the multitude of catamarans trying to complete the Three Piers Race.

Sensibly, sailing was postponed until a sea breeze developed and this strengthened throughout the day.

The three races were again run over a triangular course that needed frequent adjustment to the windward mark position as the breeze swung and the impact of a flooding tide was felt.

Parkin again showed his prefence for the lighter conditions of the first race of the day, winning from a delighted Simon Fielden (not noted for his love of light weather sailing!).

Crispin dominated the second race of the day winning from local hero Neil Fulcher and Ian Miller from Alton Water.

The last race saw past Eastern Series Champion John Wayling find his form with a deserved race win ahead of James Jarvey and much scratching of heads on the run back to work out the results after Parkin scored a sixth and Crispin a fifth.

With a single point between them Parkin had successfully taken the result from past champion Crispin and amused the fleet by acknowledging how much he now looked forward to returning next year. It was not long before the fleet pointed out that next year Stone would be the venue for the National Championships and winning that might be a touch harder!

The seventh event in the Eastern Series is planned for the following weekend allowing the fleet to deposit their boats in readiness for the next weekend - and enjoy a drive home without the burden of a trailer.

Results.

1st Richard Parkin Hunts SC
2nd Lawrence Crispin Stone SC
3rd James Jarvey Hickling Broad SC
4th Neil Fulcher Stone SC
5th John Wayling Northampton SC

Brightlingsea report

Note to self - must tell club representatives that they should produce the reports before I forget what happened...anyway here's a report I've penned for the website and Y & Y. I guess it may be a bit late for Y & Y but I thought I'd try it on!

Brightlingsea Phantom Open

The fifth event in the JJ boats / Tempera-Tec sponsored Eastern Series took place at a new venue for the fleet over the weekend of 13th /14th June. The event was combined with a Fireball and Laser Open and introduced another side of the Blackwater to the class. Sparking sailing conditions on a rising tide saw Saturdays racing dominated by John Wayling from Northampton with three straight wins. John didn’t have it all his own way and racing was close throughout the fleet with Steven Popple from Shoreham being consistent and local class representative Andy Large grinning from ear-to-ear with a second place in the first race.

During the day the wind swung round and built in strength with the PRO accommodating this with a little mark movement and adjustment to the start line. The variation in courses between the single-handers fleets and the Fireballs kept the two apart and the last race of the day was held in perfect planning conditions.

Saturday evening saw the fleet tucking in to a great meal at the club – something that Phantom sailors tend to excel at!

Sunday dawned bright with similar sailing conditions but a change in wind and tide conditions. The earlier start meant that the previous guide to best course had to be put to one side and new lessons learnt.

James Jarvey set a cracking pace with two firsts but Wayling secured two second places having battled hard with Jarvey for the lead.

The final race saw Chris Roberts round the windward mark with a commanding lead but both Wayling and Jarvey chased hard and eventually caught Roberts on the final gybe mark to reach to the finish.

All competitors commented on their liking for this new venue to the fleet and expressed the desire to be invited back.

RESULTS

1st John Wayling
2nd James Jarvey
3rd Steve Popple
4th Paul Lester

5th Ian Miller

James Case fan club

What a dark horse, sneaking off to one of my other favourite venues to stitch up a prestigous handicap event....

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=147331

James, you should know that I'm watching you....(and Marcus Ingram for that matter - the URYC ace) and to think that I've been called a handicap bandit in the past!

Creeksea Open Meeting

This weekend looks like being perfect for a Phantom Open at Creeksea - combine high mid-day tides, force 3 forecast, 80 degrees plus temperature, beer on tap and great company - it's looking pukka...

Diane has booked us in to The Ship in Burnham and a mini-bus or similar is being arranged to run happy campers back to Creeksea after "one or two" beers in town. The Ship has been picked - as I'm a big fan of their beef pudding - absolutely perfect Phantom fodder. It's an Adnams pub so the beer is first class as well. There are of course other pubs in Burnham etc. etc.

The entry is looking very good to provide the finest racing and this year we have upped the ante on the Race Officer - we have secured the services of Edwin Buckley from RCYC - who has kindly offered to officiate and use his boat to give us committee boat starts that can accomodate any wind direction or course requirement.

Sailors that I know will be attending include Neil Fulcher, Lawrence Crispin, Allan Burrell, Titch, James Case, James Jarvey, Simon Fielden, Denver Dave, Rod Thorpe, Marcus Ingram, John Torrance, Daren Pike, Clive Morley - Yes, he's back!! There are others that I hope are able to attend and I can only say that this is very definitely one not to miss.

The club fleet have been hard at work practising and I hope we will also see at least 6 classic Phantoms out. This is not just for "hot shots" and a warm welcome is always guaranteed to new sailors to the fleet.

If you haven't been you don't know what your missing - we may have limited facilities but you'll find a bit of Phantom heaven this weekend.

Eastern Series Results after Stone

Here are the updated results after Stone (with points etc).

Overall
Sailed:6, Discards:2, To count:4, Entries:46, Scoring system:My scoring system
1st
1175
John Wayling
Northampton
2.0
3.0
(DNC)
2.0
1.0
(5.0)
60.0
8.0
2nd
1209
James Jarvey
Hickling Broad
3.0
1.0
(16.0)
(7.0)
2.0
3.0
32.0
9.0
3rd
1255
James Case
Wells
(6.0)
5.0
5.0
4.0
(DNC)
6.0
73.0
20.0
4th
1305
Ian Miller
Alton Water
4.0
(11.0)
6.0
(16.0)
5.0
7.0
49.0
22.0
5th
1278
Chris Roberts
Creeksea
5.0
7.0
7.0
(DNC)
7.0
(8.0)
81.0
26.0
6th
1269
Simon Fielden
Hickling Broad
(19.0)
4.0
4.0
9.0
(DNC)
14.0
97.0
31.0
7th
1259
Jez Taylor
Southwold
9.0
9.0
9.0
(10.0)
(DNC)
9.0
93.0
36.0
8th
1256
Rod Thorpe
Alton Water
7.0
12.0
(DNC)
(DNC)
8.0
11.0
132.0
38.0
9th
1157
Nick Radley
Harlow Blackwater
18.0
6.0
(DNC)
3.0
12.0
(21.0)
107.0
39.0
10th
1150
Ian Clarke
Alton Water
15.0
(DNC)
14.0
11.0
(DNC)
19.0
153.0
59.0
11th
1171
Dave Hawkins
Alton Water
20.0
14.0
(DNC)
17.0
(DNC)
20.0
165.0
71.0
12th
1128
Matt House
Royal Harwich
11.0
(DNC)
(DNC)
6.0
DNC
10.0
168.0
74.0
13th
1183
Daren Pike
Rollesby Broad
22.0
10.0
1.0
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
174.0
80.0
14th
1311
Andy Large
Brighlingsea
16.0
(DNC)
(DNC)
14.0
6.0
DNC
177.0
83.0
15th
1290
Nick Thorp
Alton Water
12.0
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
9.0
16.0
178.0
84.0
16th

Neil Fulcher
Stone
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
5.0
DNC
4.0
197.0
103.0
17th
1116
Marcus Ingram
Creeksea / Up River
8.0
(DNC)
3.0
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
199.0
105.0
18th
1130
Richard Parkin
Hunts
(DNC)
(DNC)
12.0
DNC
DNC
1.0
201.0
107.0
19th

Stephen Popple
Shoreham
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
12.0
3.0
DNC
203.0
109.0
20th
1279
Ian Pavey
Alton Water
10.0
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
10.0
DNC
208.0
114.0
21st
1225
Alistair Glen
Shoreham
13.0
(DNC)
(DNC)
13.0
DNC
DNC
214.0
120.0
22nd
1261
Andy Hicks
Brightlingsea
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
11.0
17.0
216.0
122.0
23rd

Tyler Harmsworth
Shoreham
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
1.0
DNC
DNC
236.0
142.0
24th
1274
Simon Childs
Northampton
1.0
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
DNC
236.0
142.0
25th
1309
Lawrence Crispin
Stone
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
DNC
2.0
237.0
143.0
26th
1343
Norman Byrd
Draycott Water SC
(DNC)
(DNC)
2.0
DNC
DNC
DNC
237.0
143.0
27th
1342
Mark Weston
West Riding
(DNC)
2.0
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
DNC
237.0
143.0
28th
1243
Paul Lester
Chase
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
4.0
DNC
239.0
145.0
29th

Robin Hobson
Shoreham
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
8.0
DNC
DNC
243.0
149.0
30th
1316
David Clarke
Hunts
(DNC)
(DNC)
8.0
DNC
DNC
DNC
243.0
149.0
31st
1195
Ian Ayres
Hickling Broad
(DNC)
8.0
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
DNC
243.0
149.0
32nd
1329
Neville Taylor
Hunts
(DNC)
(DNC)
10.0
DNC
DNC
DNC
245.0
151.0
33rd
1334
James Scrimshaw
Hunts
(DNC)
(DNC)
11.0
DNC
DNC
DNC
246.0
152.0
34th
1135
Mike Stone
Stone
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
DNC
12.0
247.0
153.0
35th
1300
John Torrance
Creeksea
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
DNC
13.0
248.0
154.0
36th
1116X
Ian Howard
Stewartby Water SC
(DNC)
(DNC)
13.0
DNC
DNC
DNC
248.0
154.0
37th
969
Alex Tibbenham
Hickling Broad
(DNC)
13.0
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
DNC
248.0
154.0
38th
1288
Doug Conway
South Shields
14.0
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
DNC
249.0
155.0
39th
1321
Alistair Warren
BCU
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
DNC
15.0
250.0
156.0
40th

Ed Dixon
Hunts
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
15.0
DNC
DNC
250.0
156.0
41st
1233
Chris Hibbert
Hunts
(DNC)
(DNC)
15.0
DNC
DNC
DNC
250.0
156.0
42nd
1116
Chris Sallis
Gt Yarmouth & Gorleston
(DNC)
15.0
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
DNC
250.0
156.0
43rd
1054
Andy Griffin
Nottingham
(DNC)
(DNC)
17.0
DNC
DNC
DNC
252.0
158.0
44th
1111
Andy Gregory
BLYM
17.0
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
DNC
252.0
158.0
45th
1193
Phil Longley
Stone
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
DNC
18.0
253.0
159.0
46th
1184
Clive Morley
Minnis Bay
21.0
(DNC)
(DNC)
DNC
DNC
DNC
256.0
162.0

Updates Overall Series Results after two discards...

Here are the latest results for the Eastern Series 2009.

1st John Wayling Northampton
2nd James Jarvey Hickling Broad
3rd James Case Wells
4th Ian Miller Alton Water
5th Simon Fielden Hickling Broad
6th Chris Roberts Creeksea
7th Nick Radley Harlow Blackwater
8th Rod Thorpe Alton Water
9th Jez Taylor Southwold
10th Daren Pike Rollesby Broad
11th Andy Large Brightlingsea
12th Ian Clarke Alton Water
13th Dave Hawkins Alton Water
14th Marcus Ingram Creeksea / Up River
15th Stephen Popple Shoreham
16th Matt House Royal Harwich
17th Ian Pavey Alton Water
18th Nick Thorp Alton Water
19th Tyler Harmsworth Shoreham
20th Simon Childs Northampton
21st Norman Byrd Draycott Water SC
22nd Mark Weston West Riding
23rd Paul Lester Chase
24th Neil Fulcher Stone
25th Robin Hobson Shoreham
26th David Clarke Hunts
27th Ian Ayres Hickling Broad
etc. etc!!

Brightlingsea

Great event, sailed like an old man and couldn't get starts sorted. New sail on order as feeling very slow on offwind legs.

We really need to secure this venue for next year and it would be great as a Nationals Venue. Hopefully Andy will see some more interest in the class at the club following the event.

Hopefully I'll get some results out shortly and can update the series overall. I didn't look to see where I finished.....

Eastern Area Championships August Bank Holiday

Whilst not a part of the Eastern Series I have said that I will assist JT (John "did you see he got a 5th at the Finn Masters" Torrance ) and the JCC (Joint Combined Clubs) in promoting the above event which will take place over the August Bank Holiday as part of Burnham Week.

The Racing is being run from the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club and camping (and parking for Motorhomes) is available on site. As it is part of Burnham Week there is a positive surfeit of social events going on. Entry to the event gives you a wrist band to admit you to all the clubs and the various themed events.

The racing will be run by the slick team at the RCYC who run the slightly more famous Endeavour Trophy and will be over the same courses using comittee boat starts.

Combine this with the presence of everything from Squibs to Class 1 yachts sailing and it is an event not to miss.

The class association have given the event their blessing and it will therefore be an ideal tune up event before the Nationals. This could be your last chance to get match fit, tweak the boat and get sails measured....

The actual dates / times of races are therefore :-

Saturday 29th August 12:10 / 14:10
Sunday 30th August 11:10 / 14:10
Monday 31st August 11:10 / 14:10

Prizegiving will be at 16:00 on the Monay and will be held at the RCYC.

Entry fee for three great days racing is reduced from £75 to £35

Sponsorship and further stuff to follow

Online Entry is now open on the Burnham Week Website www.burnhamweek.org.uk

Eastern Series after Southwold

Okay, this should get you all fired up for this weekend at Brightlingsea.....here are the results for the Eastern Series 2009 with a single discard taken so far.

To those whose numbers I have omitted I apologise but will find them in due course.

You will note that I have deleted the results of each event - just to keep you on your toes and stop you working out who you have to beat to sneak a place.....all I will say is that the discards will (as usual) start to impact on the results as we progress. If the Shoreham boys get a few more events sorted they could be a force to be reckoned with. Maybe Tyler will take the hint and start off a Southern Series....Bewl, Bough Beech, Shoreham, QM etc. Just a thought!

1st 1175 John Wayling Northampton
2nd 1209 James Jarvey Hickling Broad
3rd 1255 James Case Wells
4th 1269 Simon Fielden Hickling Broad
5th 1278 Chris Roberts Creeksea
6th 1305 Ian Miller Alton Water
7th 1157 Nick Radley Harlow Blackwater / Stone
8th 1259 Jez Taylor Southwold
9th 1183 Daren Pike Rollesby Broad
10th 1150 Ian Clarke Alton Water
11th 1171 Dave Hawkins Alton Water
12th 1116 Marcus Ingram Creeksea / Up River
13th 1128 Matt House Royal Harwich
14th 1256 Rod Thorpe Alton Water
15th 1311 Andy Large Brighlingsea
16th Tyler Harmsworth Shoreham
17th 1274 Simon Childs Northampton
18th 1343 Norman Byrd Draycott Water SC
19th 1342 Mark Weston West Riding
20th Neil Fulcher Stone
21st Robin Hobson Shoreham
22nd 1316 David Clarke Hunts
23rd 1195 Ian Ayres Hickling Broad
24th 1329 Neville Taylor Hunts
25th 1279 Ian Pavey Alton Water
26th 1334 James Scrimshaw Hunts
27th Stephen Popple Shoreham
28th 1130 Richard Parkin Hunts
29th 1290 Nick Thorp Alton Water
30th Alistair Glen Shoreham
31st 1116X Ian Howard Stewartby Water SC
32nd 969 Alex Tibbenham Hickling Broad
33rd 1225 Alistair Glen Shoreham
34th 1288 Doug Conway South Shields
35th Ed Dixon Hunts
36th 1233 Chris Hibbert Hunts
37th 1116 Chris Sallis Gt Yarmouth & Gorleston
38th 1054 Andy Griffin Nottingham
39th 1111 Andy Gregory BLYM
40th 1184 Clive Morley Minnis Bay

Southwold

Okay, confession time. I really, really wish I'd gone to Southwold! I've seen the photo's, heard some stories and read the report. Still I can only think that Brightlingsea is going to be massive. We only need Tyler to turn up with his Shoreham mates and if we could persuade Al Burrell and Paul etc....

I will work out the latest Eastern Series overall results shortly and post them here soon.

Hunts Open meeting report

Well, I waited but it looks like the club aren't going to do a report. I thought Daren and others deserved better so I've penned one as follows. It is of course also on the class website / forum etc.

Hunts Open Meeting.

Seventeen Phantoms entered the third round of the JJ boats / Tempera-Tec Eastern Series on Saturday 25th April at Hunts Sailing Club.

Race Office Richard Christmas set the fleet an extended figure of eight course to every corner of the Lake to make the best of sparkling conditions with a good force two to three wind swinging from the far end of the water.

The first race saw an overly eager fleet pushing the line resulting in the inevitable recall. The next start was better as the sailors adjusted their technique to the short biased line. Local hero Richard Parkin managed to catch an impressive looking Marcus Ingram and these two had a good race ahead of the fleet. Whilst place changing was taking place behind them it looked like a personal battle between these two who enjoyed a good lead ahead of new boy Norman Byrd from Draycote. Ingram succeeded in reeling Parkin back in upwind after having been overhauled to clinch another Open Meeting race win.

The second race was over a tweaked course with a slightly stronger wind. The favourite had to be Ingram but he failed to get through the fleet, leaving Parkin looking comfortable until his kicker broke, resulting in a retirement and an end to his challenge. This served Daren Pike and Norman Byrd well as they succeeded in close racing to pull through the fleet and finish ahead of James Case.

The last race looked like a decider for the top places with several contenders for a win. Having had a subdued two races Ian Miller seemed to hit top gear and acted as the hare for Chris Roberts, Daren Pike and Norman Byrd in leading the fleet around. Miller was very unlucky not to earn a well-deserved win though as the wind swung around on the penultimate beat to let Pike and Byrd through to finish in that order ahead of Roberts.

Daren Pike thus won the open meeting with Norman Byrd taking second and Ingram third. Dave Clarke was the first of five club boats in 8th place.

At the prize giving proud parents Pike and Byrd (could they be a stage act?) were accompanied by their respective offspring in their arms. Young man of the fleet Ingram was fortunately able to co-opt a spare infant into the role of offspring and a very paternal scene was thus created.

Hunts Open and updated results...

Well, I'm glad that's over and we can get on to some sea sailing at long last (although I do appreciate that I might regret saying that). Not one of my better events, capped off nicely by a flat tyre on the M11. Thank you Marcus - he drove down to the junction at Stansted and then back North again to junction 9 to deliver his spare wheel. I solemly promise to put my spare wheel in the Land Rover next time!! A lesson for us all...

Anyway, the bump on the head is going down and I am looking forward to sailing at Creeksea again tomorrow - wind permitting.

Before I look at the overall results of the Eastern Series post-Hunts - what a result for Daren!! Well done mate-very impressive speed and persistance at working your way through. I felt for Ian Miller in the last race though - a good solid lead lost on a very bizzare beat - tough luck that.

Here are the results to date - I've added a discard to reflect the true standings...


1st 1209 James Jarvey Hickling Broad
2nd 1175 John Wayling Northampton
3rd1269 Simon Fielden Hickling Broad
4th 1305 Ian Miller Alton Water
5th 1255 James Case Wells
6th 1183 Daren Pike Rollesby Broad
7th 1116 Marcus Ingram Creeksea / Up River
8th 1278 Chris Roberts Creeksea
9th 1259 Jez Taylor Southwold
10th 1256 Rod Thorpe Alton Water
11th 1157 Nick Radley Harlow Blackwater
12th 1150 Ian Clarke Alton Water
13th 1171 Dave Hawkins Alton Water
14th 1274 Simon Childs Northampton
15th 1343 Norman Byrd Draycott Water SC7.0
16th 1342 Mark Weston West Riding
17th 1316 David Clarke Hunts
18th 1195 Ian Ayres Hickling Broad
19th 1329 Neville Taylor Hunts
20th 1279 Ian Pavey Alton Water
21st 1334 James Scrimshaw Hunts
22nd 1128 Matt House Royal Harwich
23rd 1130 Richard Parkin Hunts
24th 1290 Nick Thorp Alton Water
25th 1116X Ian Howard Stewartby Water SC
26th 969 Alex Tibbenham Hickling Broad
27th 1225 Alistair Glen Shoreham
28th 1288 Doug Conway South Shields
29th 1233 Chris Hibbert Hunts50.0
30th 1116 Chris Sallis Gt Yarmouth & Gorleston
31st 1311 Andy Large BrighlingseaDNC
32nd 1054 Andy Griffin Nottingham
33rd 1111 Andy Gregory BLYM
34th 1184 Clive Morley Minnis Bay

Eastern Series results to date...

Okay, I've now set up Sailwave to generate the results and have added new competitors, sorted out which clubs your all sailing at and pressed the button........so here we are - results to date after Rollesby Broad....I shall try and get the full results posted in due course so you can all digest the points etc. and start plotting your race strategy.

1st 1209 James Jarvey
2nd 1175 John Wayling
3rd 1255 James Case
4th 1278 Chris Roberts
5th 1305 Ian Miller
6th 1259 Jez Taylor
7th 1256 Rod Thorpe
8th 1269 Simon Fielden
9th 1157 Nick Radley
10th 1274 Simon Childs
11th 1342 Mark Weston
12th 1183 Daren Pike
13th 1171 Dave Hawkins
14th 1195 Ian Ayres
15th 1116 Marcus Ingram
16th 1279 Ian Pavey
17th 1128 Matt House
18th 1290 Nick Thorp
19th 969 Alex Tibbenham
20th 1225 Alistair Glen
21st 1288 Doug Conway
22nd 1116 Chris Sallis
23rd 1150 Ian Clarke
24th 1311 Andy Large
25th 1111 Andy Gregory
26th 1184 Clive Morley

Food, Glorious Food!!

Just discovered this photo in a folder at work and had a quiet titter to myself.

This believe it or not was Jame Case's "bread and butter pudding" that he ordered at the pub (the name of which escapes me) at Hickling last year. I believe that it tasted as good as it looked...better luck next time James.

Rollesby Broad - next event!!

Hurrah!! I'm free! Well nearly - no longer Commodore after three years at Creeksea. Still on the committee to make sure we stay a Phantom friendly club though.

One of the advantages of having been Commodore, Sailing Secretary cum Website person was that I could at least get our sailing calendar to sych with the Eastern Series. Clever eh?

So next weekend has us down for a spot of race training - which basically means reminding everyone where their boats are and which bits of string to pull (and making sure the rib engine works). I wonder if Simon and Titch spotted the tape recorder the other weekend?

The next weekend 4th April is a working party and of course 5th April is the second Tempera-tech event at Rollesby Broad.

If you haven't been before this is a good one day venue with nice cakes in the club. I can't say too much about the racing as at past events I seem to have suffered from a combination of rubbish boat speed (slot gasket excuse for last year) or masses of weed on foils (won't be using the fixed rudder again....). Still there's always this year to get it right I supppose.

My tipped runners for this year are definately Marcus - remember last years race win in the final race?- and Andy Gregory (he was frighteningly fast last year and the year before).

Old Pikey should also do well on his home water but he has suddenly gone all moody (is it a baby thing?).

One last thing - remember this is an open event with other craft to consider - please display good humour when a British Moth either hails you or tacks on top of you......

Daren should be putting a post up on the class website soon to stir things up. Might get more enteries if he put it on Facebook though!!

Simon says.....

Simon has sent me his thoughts on the weekend.. Some good reminders of the key points of the weekend.

Well the season is underway with a fine start at Alton Water near Ipswich. Windy did a brilliant job organising and funding the event and the club were great hosts. Many thanks to JJ Boats and Tempera Tech the series sponsors – spend money with them at any and every opportunity!

Training memories: With the wind at the top end of the coaching range, and 2 fleets of 10 stretching the time the coach can spend on individuals, a busy session was run.

The Group 2 topics / issues were the usual ones. Not enough kicker, Incorrect boat set-up, Inability to get to control lines quickly, Mark rounding issues, Dagger grip, sheeting, preparation for the rounding. Not depowering enough, early enough, Over steering through the gybes...

Saturday evening was splendidly spent in the local hostelry. Food, beer, banter and company all excellent. Highlights being the impromptu-ish Phanmail signing by our “Yachting Cod”.

Sunday. Well that was a difficult day, with the wind coming and going. But the lessons of the day were:Don’t give up – anything can happen.

The start and first beat are still 75% of the race (normally). Best I have seen Windy sail – constantly near the front – Gold Star Plenty of the fleet having a race at the front and holding their own.

Boat preparation, hasn’t happened for the new season – we all know the halyard breaks every few months Daren, shorten it every 3 months at least.

Jez – Silver Star for the last race, why oh why did you tack off for the wrong end of the finish line instead of staying with me, after all that great sailing leading round every mark.

Some nice looking new sails, Purple, Rooster, P&B, Lonton & Gray, - just remember its no good optimising for just upwind – you have to go offwind too.

Looking forward to next time..

Eastern Series Poster.

That was good!

Well, our first event has been and gone! Training on Saturday was great and Simon and Titch did us proud with a good workout and practical Phantom sailing tips. Just to prove that they did know what they were talking about they then bagged 1st and 2nd in the Open. Very impressive chaps.

Ian did a "phantastic" job of organising things and really showed us the way - I did get form overload at one point but it did all run like clockwork thereafter.

I will try and source some photos of the event - but will of course make sure from now on that none feature me.

"Yachting Cod".

More later....

Can't wait..

Can't wait for this weekend. This usually means that I will sail like a plonker and drink too much on Saturday night...but hey ho - it's what I enjoy I guess. There is every prospect of a thirty boat turnout - especially I guess if the forecast holds good.

Windy has done a lot to make this a really good start to the Eastern Series and deserves to see a good turnout.

JT has been given the go ahead to organise an Eastern Champs at Burnham Week this year and I have said I'll assist him in getting this event off the ground. I was not keen to do so without knowing that the class assoc supported the idea (as I thought it could be said to detract from the Nationals) but JT got the nod this weekend so watch out for more news.

The event would be sailed from the Royal Corithian over Endeavour Trophy courses with committee boat starts. Two weeks before the Nationals so a great opportunity to tune up and make sure everything is working. The Osprey Class will be sailing the same course and starting before us so we should have fun. I wonder if they can pitchpole like a Javelin?

Dinghy Show News

Ally Pally 2009

For those that didn't make the dinghy show here are the edited highlights....

On "our stand" was a new Ovi Phantom for Chris Turner fitted out in what is now looking like their standard fit out with adjustable lowers, raking rig and side cleats (clamcleats) mounted on a grp moulding. Nothing much new there really but I did notice the elastic tidy away system that looked quite effective. The foredeck moulded carbon tac tic braket took all the lines and provided the turning point out to the side decks.

The sail was a Speed sail set upon the most interesting item which was a new CST mast. These are Aussie masts that several other UK classes have been using for some time. I thought there were a couple of interesting features to it. Firstly the carbon spreaders are fixed angle, therefore one less thing to play with and get wrong! The mast section is very (very) narrow and the windage must therefore be significantly reduced. If you think this means it must bend like a Mr Whippy mast you would be very surprised how stiff it was.

When banging on the kicker the movement was mainly in the tip section (well, above the hounds anyway) which makes me think this would be a good mast for those of us using the flatter Evolution type sail. Other interesting features were the use of a hook rack for the main halyard and the collar support for the gooseneck.

I took a peek at the wall thickness and it did seem thicker than say the 60mm Superspar so I assume that this is generally the case all the way up the mast.

The mast was matched to a very sexy section boom. This was also fairly minimalist in set up and was notable for its Oval (or stretched "O" shape. I bet it weighed very little but unfortunately I wasn't able to de-rig the lot and have a play....

The photos below give you an idea of what it all looked like.

I know you all love "string photos" so I took a couple of shots of the best bits....

I did of course take a look at the other classes on show. James Jarvey (JJ boats) had two beautiful boats on display with Paintcraft - a really well sorted Solo that he had just (Friday) finished for himself. This was an epoxy hull with fantastic wooden decks. Just take a look at the photo below...

The Eastern Circuit was well promoted with some good action shots and a poster designed by Windy. I've scanned this in and will post it on this site in my next post..

Fame...and prizes

Here it is then - The Eastern Series Trophy.

...and the proud winner last year JOHN WAYLING being presented with the trophy by Rod Thorpe "Rodders" of sponsors Tempera Tech.

Fame can of course go to your head and I am sure that the "stick" is going to be unending but have you seen Phanmail?? I wish someone else other than Val sent photos to George Morris!

I have taken it upon myself to ensure that you all get your own share of mugshots and glory as you will note from this post.....

"Denver" Dave Hawkins, James Jarvey and Clive Morley

The Dinghy show looms and the sooner we get that out of the way the sooner we can get on with the real action at Alton the next weekend.

Whilst on the subject of Alton - what was the race officer thinking of sending us around again? That was never going to happen and my heart sank as I nosed Mutley through the line but heard the race officer say "carry on - your not finished yet".

Doesn't he know who I am!!??!!! (humour, well almost, chaps).

Here is a shot that I should have circulated last year of the new Eastern Series Trophy and our winner with "the Eastern Circuit" team. Note how light John Wayling must be and how happy Dave looks with his new sail. Will you be in the photo this year???

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....

HBSC

I had been in touch with the Phantom chaps, Jim & Nick, at Harlow Blackwater Sailing Club about the chances of getting an Open there. The opinion at the moment is that it might be a step too far just yet for the club. The concerns relate to tidal constraints (we'd have to get three races in bang, bang, bang style!) and we will now probably aim for next year.

I've suggested that we do a bit of "casual training" at Creeksea and that CSC Phantoms could visit during the season to give them some company. We'll see how good a plan that turns out to be - I suspect that as the season is pretty packed with events we may all suffer from Phantom overload.....

Jim has just come back from a cruise - sounds good - BUT - 50ft waves in the Bay of Biscay must have been worrying!!

Event list completed

Well, that's it I hope. The definitive events list is to be seen stage right from here. The Eastern Champs has been dropped from the Travellers series to make things easier and I look forward to a close finish for the series. Any closer than last year would be hard to imagine and I really can't cope with the permutations that had to be considered going in to the last race. Still it was great fun and I hope that things go as well this year.

The next item on my checklist is to produce a final spec for the number of events to count or discards. In addition it may be helpful for consideration to be given to how many races are to count at each event.

Finally, I'll draw up a list of "organisers" for each venue with website links to each club (but these are already on the class website...) and everything is in place for the season.

STOP PRESS NEWS

Clive Morley has been successful in getting us another date with his club Minnis Bay - 26th / 27th September. This should be a good date, being sufficiently after the Nationals to allow a bit of family time and recovery. Thanks Clive!

Nearly there...

The events list is now practically complete. Rollesby Broad have confirmed that they can offer us alternative dates and I have grabbed the 5th April option with both hands as this will give us another event at the start of the season to build on what I expect to be a good turnout at Alton Water for the training day and open meeting.

We have a clash of events with Hunts and Bewl Water which is very unfortunate. Hunts was of course on the first years list of Eastern events and was subsequently dropped in order to add Bewl the following year. Maybe we can persuade Phantom sailors in the south to get their act together and create a southern series?? Queen Mary could fit in to this area (just about) and if Clive can get an event sorted at Minnis Bay they would have the foundations for a good series -sorry Clive - we love you really!

My final challenge is now getting agreement on the options for the Easern Champs. This was promised to the JCC (Joint Combined Clubs - the overall organisers of Burnham Week) last year, however, in the meantime Neil Fulcher has put forward a strong argument for using Stone Sailing Club. It's their 60th Anniversary Regatta and would be able tooffer committee boat starts etc. I am seeing what options for racing we will have during Burnham Week - this week is a major regatta with lot's on at all the clubs in Burnham. The Endeavour Trophy is sailed from the RCYC in Burnham and it would be an opportunity to sail over this course etc.

Still, it's a nice problem to have with two venues wanting our fleet!!

More later when I've put JT (John Torrance of CSC & JCC) in the ring with Neil Fulcher (SCS and Laser SBS destroyer). Last man standing wins??

Having looked forward here's my favourite look back at last year.

A pleasant afternoon with Lord Marcus of Hullbridge spent clearing out James Case's beer / lager / cider at the Wells next the Sea Open..

.....and there's more!

Hunts Sailing Club have kindly agreed to add their event to the Eastern Circuit this year. It was missed off the list last year but hopefully we are now back on track with a very active club and growing fleet. Mark Barrett the fleet captain has given me the low down on the moves in the fleet and hopefully we will see a few of them on the circuit.

An event in April will follow hot on the heels of the Training / Open at Alton Water and should be well attended as a consequence. Yes, I have politely requested that we have somewhat simpler courses, and Yes, I have said that some members of the fleet found it hard to distinguish the colours of the flags on the marks.

Now, as to the slagging off that the Phantom has been getting on the Y & Y forum......I am sure that half the participants in the forum don't sail that often and certainly don't know who they are writing about. It's very insulting to Andy in my book and I know that most of us are happy to avoid handicap events if given the choice anyway.