Impact Marine Phantom Northern Series 2018
by Martin Knott 29 Jan 2018 04:33 AEDT
Impact Marine Phantom Northern Series 2018 © Paul Hargreaves Photography
With the sailing season fast approaching, the dates for the Phantom Northern Series have been finalised. As every year, the Phantoms in the North will be visiting some great clubs and locations.
Impact Marine are based in Carnforth Lancashire, and are manufacturers of Championship winning sails, covers, and bespoke accessories, they also provide rigging support. Impact Marine have been providing covers, mast bags and rigging support to the Phantom fleet in the North for a few years and are this year kindly sponsoring the series prizes for the Northern Series, which will also include a prize for the first Phantom who has not qualified for a series before.
The Phantom fleet is one of the friendliest around with competitive racing and helpful advice for newcomers.
Who to watch out for in 2018
In 2017 Ed Thomas didn't get things all his own way, but he's still likely to be the hot favourite for the 2018 series despite his suggestions about needing a new sail.
The lesser spotted Andy Couch came out to play a couple of times last year before winning the Nationals, and the rumour is he might be starting the season at Glossop. Can anyone challenge him this year?
Phil Worth will again be showing us the way at Delph. Last year he was odds on to win the Windermere open before a spectacular toestrap failure ended his bid. Definitely one to watch for 2018.
Matt Nield showed a massive increase in speed during 2017 (now he can put enough kicker on) and won his first race. Rumours are he's got a new sail for 2018 and could be in regular contention for wins.
Adam Perry as always will be consistently competitive, having taken a race win in 2017 and will be another one to watch for 2018, especially at his home club Pennine.
You never know, even I may get a shot at a win or two in 2018 after a couple of race wins last year boosted the wine rack.
Two newbies to the 2017 open series were Matt Butler and Dave Morris in his beautiful new grey Phantom, both bringing great sailing and inviting us back to their home clubs of Yorkshire Dales and Glossop respectively for 2018. Both will be ones to watch, and rumours are Matt is starting to take weight gain seriously and looking for a better sail to use in the series!
The 2018 Dates are:
- 18th March - Glossop SC
- 8th April - Pennine SC
- 22nd April - Leigh and Lowton SC
- 12th May - Delph SC
- 10th June - Blithfield SC North Vs Midlands
- 17th June - Yorkshire Dales SC
- 14th/15th July - Royal Windermere YC (Northern Championship)
- 16th September - Port Dinorwic SC
5 races will qualify for the series.
For any questions your Northern Rep is Adam Perry
You can find us on Facebook: Phantom Sailing Group North.
Dust off your boats and see you on the water!