Phantom Open at Walton and Frinton Yacht Club
by Bob Portway 5 Oct 2020 13:26 PDT
3-4 October 2020
Phantoms at Walton & Frinton © Dave Rayfield
Walton and Frinton Yacht Club agreed to hold the event, in these unusual times, on the basis of a limited entry. In the event the weather forecast ensured that we did not reach that limit, with 7 boats coming to the line, shared with seven local H2s. The racing was held off Stone point, where Hamford Water meets Dovercourt Bay.
Race 1: Matt House executed a perfect port flyer, to lead round the windward mark. Bob Portway passed him downwind, but Matt was able to hold off John 'Titch' Wayling. This was the order until Portway led the fleet round the ODM, mistaking it in very grey weather for the wing mark, on the 2nd triangle. Local sailor James Oxley spotted the wing mark first and headed up for it. Matt realised Bob's mistake early on, James Sparkes benefitted by following Oxley, the finishing order being Oxley, House and Sparkes.
Race 2: A short opening beat and a turning tide led to early leaders badly overstanding the windward mark. Once again the two James's took the correct line and had a useful lead on the 1st triangle. James Sparkes was forced to retire with a failing shroud, Oxley went on to win, with Portway just holding 2nd despite a quick capsize at the 2nd gybe mark. Matt House just held 3rd in a very close finish with Titch.
Race 3: This race was to be the 'Sailing home up the Twizzle' race. Some of the fleet thought they had sailed far enough after triangle + sausage and headed for home without sailing the final triangle. Only 2 boats completed the race, with Titch leading Portway home, after a very tight race before entering the Twizzle.
Sunday's racing was cancelled with a force 6 gusting 8 forecast on every weather forecast available. In the event, James Oakley's two 1st's were enough to clinch overall honours, while Titch's final race win put him ahead of House, and Portway had to settle for 4th.
Phantoms in the Eastern Area are planning one more open meeting, to be in November at Ardleigh SC, in order to find a winner of the Travellers trophy.
Overall Results:
1st James Oxley (W&F YC)
2nd John Wayling (Northampton SC)
3rd Matt House Royal Harwich YC)
4th Bob Portway (Royal Harwich YC)