Phantom Eastern Series Round 2 at Up River Yacht Club

by Phantom Class on 6 Apr 2011 Phantom Eastern Series Round 2.

The second TemperaTech / JJ Boats Eastern Series welcomed ten sailors bright and early to the Up River Yacht Club.

An incoming tide saw most of the fleet drift over the line at the start of race one which immediately saw a general recall, the second start under a black flag saw a more cautious approach by the sailors and a clear start saw Ben Falat lead at the windward mark after a shifty windward leg, a long run against the tide saw Ben break clear only to be hauled in by the chasing phants, there were times where there seven phantoms abreast, which saw the leader ending up last only to be leading again moments later.

Now in more clear air and more open water, a hard fought race around the cans and after much place changing saw Nick Radley, Matthew House and Rod Thorpe clear on the beat back to the line, Matthew overhauled Nick in last few tacks to take the win.

After a wonderful cheese ploughman’s in the April sun, the second race got underway against a falling tide, a clean start saw Neil get clear only to cross too far into the tide and sail into a hole, Nick and James Jarvey got clear, followed by Marcus Ingram as short tacking set the order for this race, Nick never looked back pulling out a good lead proving all the gym work pays when short tacking against the tide.

‘Moment of the day’ was when Matthew stood up in his boat for a stretch on the run with 100 yards to go, only to stack it in much to the amusement of the packed pub beer garden and several Phantom sailors. A beer induced evening saw one barrel drunk and the standard Essex kebab eaten by a few who dared.

Sunday saw bacon butties and a stronger than forecast wind for the west; another clean start saw close beating and a split on the run with Neil clear on the north bank and a few followers, others chose the south bank after local sailor Marcus went low for clear air, it was the wrong choice and Neil still lead, but was being hunted down by the chasing pack.

The racing around the cans saw lots of close battles and place changing, and even saw (or mostly heard for the others) Marcus head butting an anchor, anyway Matthew and James led, followed by Rod, Marcus, and Paul Jarvey. James pulled clear, Matthew looked safe in second but the perils of river weed let Marcus past, Matthew hung on for third.

The final race saw a committee and possibly four sailors were in contention, saw a good start for, Neil, Nick, Marcus and Chris Roberts, again close racing saw Neil gone well clear, never to be caught to lighten up a frustrating weekend, Marcus impeded Matthew on the beat so ended up doing penalty turns, James finished second taking the overall win, followed by Matthew who again piped Nick just before the finish, Tim Harris had the race of his weekend in the only non-epoxy boat to come in a well sailed sixth.

The prize giving saw James thanking the club and race committee and bar and galley staff. The next event is at Hunts sailing club on the ninth of April.

Overall Results:

First - 120 James Jarvey (Hickling Broad SC)
Second - 1370 Nick Radley (Stone SC)
Third - 1355 Matthew House (Alton Water SC)
Fourth - 1356 Neil Fulcher (Stone SC)
Fifth - 1256 Marcus Ingram (Up River YC)
Sixth - 1349 Rod Thorpe (Up River YC)
Seventh - 1278 Chris Roberts (Creeksea SC)
Eigth - 1209 Paul Jarvey (Hickling Broad SC)
Ninth - 1349X Tim Harris (Up River YC)
Tenth - 1185 Ben Falat (Gt Yarmouth and Gorleston SC)

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